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The daily pill is one of the most popular birth control methods, trusted by many women because of its convenience and high ability to prevent pregnancy. However, this method still has certain risks, depending on the health status of each person, especially when using daily drugs for a long time.1. What is oral contraceptive?
Oral contraceptives are a method of hormonal birth control, which works by preventing ovulation, or thickening the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from passing and reducing sperm movement in the fallopian tubes. .
Previously, to prevent pregnancy, women had only one option of oral contraceptive pills, with a course of: Daily hormonal pills, taken for 21 days, then a placebo for 7 days. During the placebo week, you will get your period.
Today, oral contraceptives are much more diverse, including those with a 4-day placebo combination and those without a placebo combination. While convenient, birth control pills also have a few side effects.
2. Types of oral contraceptives
Oral contraceptives include progestin-only birth control pills (also known as minipills) and combined hormonal birth control pills.
Progestin-only birth control pills work by increasing mucus production around the cervix and thinning the lining of the uterus. When the mucus around the cervix is thick enough, it will be difficult for sperm to reach the egg and fertilize it. The lining of the uterus is thin, making it impossible for an egg to attach to the lining and implant.
Compared to “minipill”, the combined hormonal contraceptive is more common, containing both progestin and estrogen. Estrogen helps prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg into the fallopian tubes. Without an egg, sperm cannot fertilize it.
3. Side effects of oral contraceptives
Tác dụng phụ của viên uống tránh thai
Short-term Side Effects: Possible short-term side effects include irregular bleeding, spotting, headache, nausea, breast tenderness or tightness, weight gain, skin rashes, fatigue, Insomnia, mood swings....
Long-term side effects: Most women do not have serious problems when using oral contraceptives for a long time. Women who use oral contraceptives for health reasons such as menstrual pain, endometriosis, menopausal symptoms, need a doctor's prescription. Some possible side effects of long-term oral contraceptive use:
Cancer: According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), there is evidence that oral contraceptives can have may increase the risk of breast and cervical cancer, but reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and colon cancer. Because the hormones progesterone and estrogen contained in birth control pills can stimulate the growth of some types of cancer cells, on the contrary, can also reduce the risk of developing some other types of cancer. Sharing the same opinion with the US National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society (ACS) said that people who take oral contraceptives have a slightly higher chance of developing breast cancer than women who have never taken it. medicine. This risk disappeared after 10 years or more of stopping the drug. In addition, the American Cancer Society also reports that using oral contraceptives for more than 5 years can increase the risk of cervical cancer, the longer the use, the greater the risk. The risk decreases with discontinuation of the drug.
Researchers are not sure why oral contraceptives can reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Possibly, the pill reduces the number of times you ovulate, thereby reducing hormone secretion naturally.
Blood clots A meta-analysis of 26 studies in 2013 shows that there is an increased risk of blood clots, stroke and heart attack in women using oral contraceptives containing both the two hormones progesterone and estrogen, especially for women who smoke.
Migraines In some cases, the hormone estrogen found in combination pills can make migraines worse.
Mood and libido Although not common, some women can experience changes in mood and sex drive when using oral contraceptives for a long time.
4. Is it safe to take birth control pills for a long time?
Most people can use hormonal birth control pills for many years under the guidance of a doctor if there are no side effects.
However, the risks and which birth control pills should be avoided depend on the patient's medical history, age and general health. Women should see a doctor if they notice any side effects of the drug for advice and choose the right medicine.
5. Factors to consider when using oral contraceptives
A doctor's prescription is required when using birth control pills. Your doctor will prescribe a safe and effective prescription based on your medical history and current health situation. There are several factors to keep in mind when using oral contraceptives.
Smokers: Overall, oral contraceptives are still effective in women who smoke. However, from the age of 35 and older, taking oral contraceptives and smoking increases the risk of complications, because smoking is a cause of increased risk of cardiovascular disease, blood clots and cancer.
Obesity: People with obesity need to be consulted about the most effective drug on their condition.
6. Some questions about oral contraceptives
Sau khi ngưng thuốc bao lâu thì có thể có thai?
How long after stopping the pill can I get pregnant? It is possible to get pregnant as soon as the next ovulation, that is, about 2 weeks after stopping the pill.
Is it better to wait a few months after stopping the pill to get pregnant than to get pregnant from a few weeks after stopping the pill? Doctors used to be concerned about the risk of miscarriage if they became pregnant soon after stopping the pill. However, this is not proven, because the hormones contained in oral contraceptives do not stay in the body.
Is it dangerous to not have periods again after stopping the pill? After stopping the drug, the patient may lose their period for several months. The mechanism of action of the pill is to prevent the body from producing the hormones related to ovulation and menstruation, so after stopping the pill, the body needs time to produce these hormones again.
Are pregnancy test results while using oral contraceptives accurate? The answer is yes. The test to check if you are pregnant is by measuring the level of the hormone HCG in your blood or urine. The active ingredients in birth control pills don't affect this. The oral contraceptive pill is a popular and effective method of preventing unwanted pregnancy. However, serious side effects can still occur. Therefore, women need to discuss with their doctor about their medical history and health situation, weigh the benefits and risks to choose the most suitable method of contraception.
Most women do not experience side effects when using oral contraceptives daily according to the recommended dosage and indications. If you do not intend to become pregnant and want to prepare for the best health and mental health before having children, you need to visit an obstetrician-specialist medical facility for a pre-marital health check-up. You will be consulted by specialist doctors on effective methods of contraception and contraception before getting married, and will be examined for fertility and sexual evaluation, screened for sexually transmitted diseases, and screened. In particular, doctors can advise you on a method of contraception that is suitable for your condition and health to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is implementing basic and advanced pre-marital reproductive health packages. Vinmec has Vinmec Fertility Support Center, the leading modern center in Vietnam, built and applied a treatment process that combines comprehensive examination, combining both male and female obstetrics and gynecology to offer the best solution. for each customer case. The medical team are highly qualified and experienced experts, capable of synchronously and comprehensively deploying the most advanced assisted reproductive techniques today.
Vinmec Stem Cell and Gene Technology Research Institute is located next to Vinmec Fertility Center, convenient for consulting and diagnosing genetic diseases. After performing the necessary screening tests for both men and women, the doctors will analyze the results and give advice tailored to each case. All customer information is kept confidential, ensuring privacy.
If you have a need for a pre-marital health check-up at Vinmec, please book an appointment directly at the website for service.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
