Possible side effects of oral contraceptives

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Birth control pills are a popular method of contraception for women, with 2 main types: combined pills (containing estrogen and progestin) and oral pills containing only progestin. Although popular because of its convenience and relatively high efficiency, oral contraceptives still have some side effects to be aware of.

1. Learn about oral contraceptives

The oral contraceptive pill is a method of hormonal contraception that works by preventing ovulation, or thickening the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from passing through and reducing sperm movement in the fallopian tubes. Besides the main purpose of preventing unwanted pregnancy, the pill is also used to correct irregular periods, painful or heavy periods, endometriosis, acne, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Syndrome).

In the United States, about 16% of women between the ages of 15 and 44 take oral contraceptives. Besides the benefits, oral contraceptives also have disadvantages. Depending on the condition of each person, oral contraceptives will have different risk factors, so each person will be advised to use each appropriate drug.
There are different types of oral contraceptives, which may contain the hormones estrogen, progesterone, or both. Synthetic progesterone is called a progestin. Pills that contain both progestin and estrogen are called combined oral contraceptives. Another is the progestin-only birth control pill.
Combination birth control pills come in several forms, based on the changes in hormone levels in the pill during the month:
Single phase (monophasic) pills contain the same amount of estrogen and progestin in all pills. The 2, 3, 4 phase pill will change hormone levels during the ovulatory cycle. Another option is the 21-pill daily oral contraceptive. Take the pill daily for 21 days, then take a placebo for 7 days. The advantage of this method is that it is simpler to use, because the daily regimen is the same. When used correctly, oral contraceptives are highly effective. However, out of 100 pregnant women, there are still about 6-12 pregnancies due to improper use of drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of pregnancy due to misuse is 9% for both oral contraceptives.
It should be noted, only condoms can prevent sexually transmitted diseases, oral contraceptives cannot do this.

2. Side effects of birth control pills

Common side effects of oral contraceptives include:
Irregular bleeding Nausea Chest tightness Headaches, migraines Weight gain Mood swings Loss of periods Loss of libido Abnormal vaginal discharge Changes in vision pressure in contact lens wearers 2.1 Irregular bleeding Irregular bleeding is a common condition with the use of the drug, which may be caused by a thinning of the uterine lining, or by a change in concentration. hormones in the body.
Even if there is abnormal bleeding, the medicine can still work if used correctly and in the right dose. It is recommended that you contact your doctor for advice if you experience unusual bleeding for 5 days or more, or heavy bleeding for 3 days or more.
2.2 Nausea Some people feel a little nauseous when they first take the medicine, but this usually subsides. If you feel nauseous, you can take the medicine with food or before going to bed. In case the nausea is severe or persists for more than 3 months, you should see a doctor for advice.
2.3 Breast tightness Another side effect is breast enlargement or tightness, which usually goes away after a few weeks. Reducing the amount of caffeine and salt you eat or drinking, and changing your bra type can reduce discomfort in the chest area.
Pay attention and seek medical attention if there is a lump in the chest, or tightness, especially pain or tenderness in the chest area.
2.4 Headaches, Migraines In some cases, due to changes in hormone levels in the body, women may have an increased risk of headaches and migraines. The lower the dose, the lower the risk of headaches.
Usually, the symptoms will improve gradually, on the contrary, you should see a doctor.
2.5 Weight gain Although no clinical studies have shown a link between oral contraceptive use and weight, women may experience a condition between water in the body, especially around the area. chest and hips.
Certain hormones, found in oral contraceptives, have been linked to reduced lean muscle mass.
2.6 Mood Changes Studies have shown that oral contraceptives have the ability to affect mood, increase the risk of depression, and change the mood of the user. For this reason, women should contact a healthcare professional if they find themselves experiencing mood swings while taking oral contraceptives.
2.7 Amenorrhea Even with the correct use of the pill, women can still experience some missed periods, depending on factors such as pressure, illness, mobility, hormonal abnormalities, or other abnormalities. usually thyroid.
For peace of mind, you can contact a medical professional to check if you are pregnant before continuing to use the drug.
2.8 Decreased sex drive The hormones contained in oral contraceptives can sometimes affect sex drive. Talk to a healthcare professional if you experience persistent low sex drive.
On the contrary, in some cases, oral contraceptives increase libido, by reinforcing peace of mind because of preventing unwanted pregnancy, reducing symptoms of menstrual pain, premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids.
2.9 Vaginal discharge Taking oral contraceptives may increase or decrease vaginal discharge. While not harmful, discoloration or foul-smelling discharge can be a sign of an infection.
2.10 Vision changes When taking oral contraceptives, hormone levels in the body change, resulting in a change in corneal thickness. Although it does not increase the risk of eye diseases, it is necessary to monitor vision as well as tolerance when wearing contact lenses, because contact lenses may no longer be suitable.

3. Who should not take birth control pills?

Combined oral contraceptives can increase cardiovascular problems such as blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, benign liver tumors and some types of cancer.
Some people should not take birth control pills:
Pregnant women Women who smoke, are 35 years of age or older, or women over 35 years old but have quit smoking within 1 year. People who are obese People who are taking certain medications People who have had a history of blood clots, strokes or heart problems People who are close relatives of a patient who had a blood clot before the age of 45 People with this condition severe migraines People who have had or have had breast cancer or liver disease people have had diabetes for 20 years or have diabetes and its complications. In addition, you should contact your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms below, as it could be a sign of a serious condition:
Abdominal pain, stomach pain Chest pain, shortness of breath, or both Headache severe Eye problems, such as blurred vision or loss of vision Swelling, pain in the legs and thighs Red, swollen, painful thighs or calves.

4. Long-term side effects

4.1 Heart problems Combination birth control pills may slightly increase the risk of heart-related side effects such as heart attack, stroke, and blood clots, which may be higher in certain drugs.
People with uncontrolled high blood pressure, or with a personal history, family history of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, should consult a doctor about the most suitable method of contraception.
4.2 Cancer risk Some people think that female hormones like estrogen can increase the risk of developing some types of cancer, so taking oral contraceptives is likely to increase this risk as well.
Ovarian and endometrial cancer: This risk seems to be rare
Breast cancer: Apparently, women taking oral contraceptives, especially those who started using it in their teens, have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than other subjects. However, after 10 years of stopping the pill, this risk was no longer higher than that of women not using oral contraceptives.
In addition, other risk factors can be mentioned as age at the onset of puberty, age at menopause, age at first pregnancy, having or not having children.
Cervical cancer: There may be an association between an increased risk of cervical cancer and long-term oral contraceptive use. But, most types of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). And it is not possible to conclude whether there is a relationship between HPV and oral contraceptives.
Liver cancer: There is an association between oral contraceptives and the risk of developing benign, and rarely cancerous, liver tumors. Some studies have suggested that using oral contraceptives for 5 years or more may increase the risk of liver cancer, while others have denied this finding.

5. In addition to the oral pill, what other methods can be used to prevent pregnancy?

Those who cannot or do not want to use oral contraceptives may consider the following alternatives.
Condoms Condoms (male condoms or female condoms) prevent sperm from coming into contact with the egg. A female condom is a bag with two thick and thin rings on each end that is inserted into the vagina for 8 hours before sex. Some people may be allergic to the material of condoms.
The risk of a condom not working is 18% or more (per year, counting both male and female condoms).
Diaphragm The vaginal diaphragm is a circular silicone or rubber diaphragm with a soft outer rim to insert through the vagina and cover the cervix. It must be used with spermicide, to prevent sperm from reaching an egg.
The downside of this method, is that it can cause urinary tract infections and vaginal irritation.
Every year, for every 100 pregnant women in the US, about 6 to 12 become pregnant despite using a diaphragm.
Vaginal ring A vaginal ring is a small device that is inserted into the vagina, which releases hormones that inhibit ovulation. Every month, women will put the vaginal ring for 3 weeks and remove the ring for 1 week of menstruation. The mechanism of action of the vaginal ring is similar to that of the oral contraceptive pill, so there are also similar side effects, such as irregular bleeding, headache, and decreased sex drive.
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) An IUD is a small device that is inserted into the uterus, which may or may not be hormonal. The hormonal IUD thickens the cervical mucus and inhibits ovulation. Non-hormonal IUDs cause an inflammatory reaction in the lining of the uterus, which does not create favorable conditions for sperm.
The IUD works for up to 10 years and is almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Attention should be paid to irregular bleeding or irregular periods. Some women may experience heavy menstrual bleeding and severe menstrual pain while using the IUD.
Contraceptive implants Contraceptive implants are small plastic tubes containing birth control pills that are implanted under the skin of a woman's non-dominant hand by a small procedure. The rod is effective for 3 years, with the mechanism of releasing a hormone that thickens cervical mucus, thins the endometrium and inhibits ovulation. Similar to the IUD, the IUD is almost 100% effective.
In terms of side effects, the contraceptive implant has the same side effects as oral contraceptives, such as abdominal pain, back pain, the risk of benign ovarian cysts. Some women may have missed or missed periods for several months.
Sterilization Men are sterilized by ligation or vasectomy. In women, sterilization is performed by surgical ligation of the fallopian tubes.
Complications that can occur in men, which are usually permanent, include infection, hematoma, bruising, sperm granulomas, and growths in the soft tissue around the vas deferens.

6. Birth control injection or oral contraceptive?

For comparison, the birth control shot can be more effective, because it avoids the risk of forgetting to take the pill. However, with the mechanism of hormone use, the injection method also has certain side effects and limitations.
When used correctly, the injection method is more than 90% effective. However, even if the booster shot is missed, out of 100 women who use this method, only 6 get pregnant every year. This number makes the injection method more reliable than the pill.
The injection method also has some side effects similar to hormonal pills. Women with a history of breast cancer should not use this method. In addition, the injection method may increase the risk of Chlamydia and HIV, although the cause is not clear.
Several studies have found an association between injectable birth control and blood clots. However, a number of other studies have not made a similar view. According to the Mayo Clinic (USA), there are some providers who recommend that people with a history of heart disease, diabetes, stroke should not use their injection method.
Women should be examined and consulted before using the injectable method of birth control if they have the following problems:
Depression Migraine Migraine Heavy or heavier vaginal bleeding than usual Jaundice or yellowing of the eyes Purulent discharge pain around the injection site. Other side effects may go away in a few months :
Abdominal pain Decreased sex drive Shock Anxiety Fatigue Fatigue Weight gain. There are some studies that suggest that Depo-Provera oral contraceptive injection is associated with decreased bone density, increased risk of osteoporosis or bone fractures in older age.

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Reference source: Medicalnewstoday.com; Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov