Are contraceptives pills affecting your health?

What are birth control pills?

Birth control pills are also known as contraceptives, they have advantages and disadvantages. Not every woman should use it.

If you are a smoker, do not use it. A smoker should not use any birth control pill that contains hormone estrogen. The pills a smoker can take contains progestin-only.

If you have health issues, the following risks can arise after using a contraceptive;

· Blod clotting disorder

· Vein inflammation 

· Ischemic Stroke

· Heart problem

· Migraines

· High blood pressure

· Liver disease 

· Diabetes 

Discuss with your doctor about your health history, so they can decide the right contraceptive to offer you.

Other side effects:

· Change in your sexual desire.

· Nausea

· Headaches

· Bleeding between periods

· Sore breasts

· Changes in vaginal discharge 

· Change in the menstrual cycle

· More acne, if there was any before taking the pill.

It is important to note that these side effects of contraceptives do not affect every user, just a few. Therefore, it is important to visit your doctor, reveal your health history, so they chose the best contraceptive for you. 

Combination birth pills are also known as low dose pills. These are pills that suppress ovulation. They contain estrogen.

Your doctor might not allow you to make use of combination pill if you are experiencing any of these:

· Breast-feeding

· Smoking

· Aged above 35

· High blood pressure

· deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism

· Breast cancer

· Heart disease

· Retinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathy- diabetes-related complications 

· Liver disease

· uterine bleeding

Photo by GabiSanda

Benefits of contraceptives

· Reduces menstrual cramps, Anemia and PMS.

Birth control pills will reduce heavy menstrual. The risk of having iron-deficiency anemia is reduced because of the lighter menstrual flow.

· Relieves symptoms of Endometriosis 

When the lining of a uterus grows outside of it, it is referred to as Endometriosis. This causes severe menstrual cramps. Birth control pills will help you stop this painful experience by stopping your monthly menstrual flow.

· Prevention of Ovarian Cysts

Birth control pills also prevent Ovarian Cysts. Ovarian cysts are pockets or fluid-filled sacs in an ovary. Women have two ovaries. The eggs that mature in these ovaries come out during monthly cycles.

· Improve hair growth on your skin

Birth control pills reduce the male hormones your ovaries make. Some women have a high level of male hormones in them they grow hair under their chin, in between their breast, above their lips and on their thighs. Taking birth pills will reduce these hormones, after 6 months, less of this hair will grow on their body.

· Helps Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

This is a common condition among young women. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormone imbalance in which the ovaries produce extra amounts of testosterone. This syndrome can result in unwanted hair growth, irregular periods and acne.

Birth control pills can balance the hormones, regulate periods and reduce the level of testosterone in a woman's body. 

Before going for contraceptives, visit your doctor, share your health history with him/her and also undergo a test so you know your current health situation, and the best pill can be prescribed for you.

Until then, take care of yourself.