subject: Disadvantage of Contraceptive pills [print this page] Disadvantage of Contraceptive pills Disadvantage of Contraceptive pills
Many women experience some side effects during the first 2 - 3 months of birth control use. These side effects usually subside. Estrogen and progesterone have different side effects, and women on the combined pill may experience different effects from those on the progestin-only pill.
Common side effects of oral contraceptives include: Nausea and vomiting (can often be controlled by taking the pill during a meal or at bedtime)
Headaches (in women with a history of migraines, they may worsen)
Dizziness
Breast tenderness and enlargement
Irregular bleeding or bleeding between periods
Weight gain
Newer formulations of combination pills that use low-dose estrogen, and newer progestins, may reduce and even lower the risk of many of these side effects, including weight gain.
Serious Side Effects. Symptoms of serious problems include severe abdominal pain, chest pain, unusual headaches, visual disturbances, or severe pain or swelling in the legs. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor.
Potential Risks. Combination birth control pills can increase the risk of developing or worsening certain serious medical conditions. The risks depend in part on a woman ' s medical history. You should discuss your health history with your doctor to determine if combination oral contraceptives are safe for you. This is especially important for women who are age 35 or older, smoke, or have a history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol or unhealthy blood lipid profile, diabetes, or migraine headaches.
Serious risks of birth control pills may include:
Heart and Circulation Problems. Combination birth control pills contain estrogen, which can increase the risk for stroke, heart attack, and blood clots in some women. The risk is highest for women who smoke or have a history of heart disease risk factors (such as high blood pressure or unhealthy cholesterol/lipid levels) or cardiac events. Women who have certain metabolic disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), are also at higher risk for heart-related complications associated with these pills. Women who have migraines may possibly be at increased risk for stroke and may need to consider progestin-only pills or other contraceptive methods in place of combination oral contraceptives.
Venous Thromboembolism. All combination estrogen/progestin birth control products carry an increased risk for blood clots in the veins (venous thromboembolism), which can lead to blood clots in the arteries of the leg or lung (pulmonary embolism). The risk is lower for oral contraceptives than for the birth control patch (Ortho Evra) or the ring (NuvaRing), which expose women to higher levels of estrogen than birth control pills. Women who smoke, who are obese, or who have heart disease risk factors may want to consider using alternatives to estrogen-containing contraceptives, such as progestin-only oral contraceptives ("mini-pills"), intrauterine devices, or barrier contraceptive methods.
Diabetes. For women who have diabetes, birth control pills should not be taken if you smoke or if you have high blood pressure, vascular disease, kidney disease, or other diabetes-related health problems.
Cancer Risks. Several studies have reported a strong association between increased risk of cervical cancer and long-term use of oral contraception. Women who take oral contraceptives for more than 10 years appear to have a much higher risk of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection than those who do not use oral contraceptives. Women taking oral contraceptives for less than 5 years have no significantly higher risk. Although studies have been conflicting about whether estrogen in oral contraception increases the chances for breast cancer, the most recent research indicates that oral contraceptive use does not significantly increase breast cancer risk. Women who have used oral contraceptives may have slightly more risk for breast cancer than women who have never used them, but this risk declines once a woman stops using birth control pills.
Liver Problems. In rare cases, oral contraceptives have been associated with liver tumors, gallstones, or jaundice. Women with a history of liver disease, such as hepatitis, should consider other contraceptive options.
