Negative health effects of oral contraceptives
Birth control pills are one of the most popular and effective methods of contraception for women. With a maximum effectiveness rate of 99 per cent, it’s no wonder why it is the preferred choice of contraceptive for women worldwide.
We all know the benefits of the pill. For one, estrogen and progestin, the hormones that make up the pill, stop ovulation. If sperm enters the body, it’s nearly impossible for it to fertilize an egg because they are not being released from the ovaries. This, in turn, prevents unwanted pregnancies. Additionally, the controlled release of the two aforementioned hormones in birth control pills keep menstruation on a schedule, making it easy for women to keep track of their periods.
Some other notable benefits are that it can help clear up acne, make periods lighter, and alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Even so, its popularity has decreased significantly for women older than 30 over the last decade. In 2006, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOCGS) conducted a survey of 3,200 Canadian women and found that 39 per cent of women over 30 used birth control pills as their primary contraceptive. In 2016, that number dropped to a measly 15.7 per cent for women in this age group.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for women aged 15 to 44, the current statistic in the United States is barely higher with birth control pill use at 16 per cent. Why the drop-off?
One reason could be the myriad of dangers associated with taking birth control pills.
Commercials advertising medications stereotypically contain a laundry list of warnings about negative side effects pertaining to the product. While many consumers make fun of said commercials, these cautionary lists are important to mention.
Some minor side effects include nausea and vaginal discharge, which typically only last for the first cycle on the pill. Something that many patients worry about is weight gain. Again, this is not a serious side effect, but is consistent among most versions of birth control.
Where it gets concerning is the decrease in libido from the significant hormonal changes occurring in your body. As previously mentioned, there is a controlled release of estrogen and progestin over each cycle. Most females naturally produce and release estrogen and progesterone. Progestin similar to progesterone, but is synthetically created for oral contraceptives. The synthetic hormones being released in the body at a lower rate than naturally, which decreases libido and make it harder for women to reach climax during sex.
Pregnancy can cause more serious health problems than birth control can, but rare occurrences of extremely severe health complications do come up. Some examples are trouble breathing, aura (visual hallucinations of zigzag lines and flashing lights), and severe pain in the chest, leg, or stomach.
If you use birth control pills, it is important to understand the risks associated with this method of contraception. However, it is equally important to know that these dangers rarely come up, and the pill is totally safe for most patients.