Birth control pills are the most common contraceptive method to control unwanted pregnancies. However, people have been using them without a prescription or information. We listed 5 things you probably didn’t know about a birth control pill.
- May eliminate periods
Birth control pills are taken to prevent pregnancies. They allow women to enjoy unprotected sex without the worry of conceiving.
The pack contains 28 pills that women take throughout the month. Unknown to them though, these pills contain progestin and estrogen hormones. These are the hormones that regulate ovulation.
The ingredients work by preventing sperm from reaching the fallopian tube. The tablets can either cause excessive thickening of the cervical mucus or prevent the ovary from releasing an egg for fertilization.
The Mayo Clinic explains that the pill works by inhibiting the production of hormones responsible for ovulation and menstruation. When you discontinue its use, it may take a while for your body to begin producing these hormones again. Generally, menstrual periods typically resume within three months after discontinuing the pill.
But the pack does have active pills. Some are placebo – meaning that they have no active ingredients. The pack is arranged so that women swallow the placebo during their monthly week.
Why is this so? The short hiatus allows your wife to flow as normal. But the pills can disrupt her menstruation cycle when she skips the placebo and tactfully continues with the other pills.
This way, the pills stop menstruation, enabling your wife could bypass this episode altogether.
- Help protect against certain cancers
Taking birth control pills may help prevent your wife from getting pregnant. But the medications have other beneficial effects.
According to the National Cancer Institute, women who take birth control pills are less likely to suffer from certain forms of cancer. These are ovarian, colorectal, and endometrial cancers.
The NCA study shows that most contraceptives lower the risk of ovarian cancer by up to half and those of endometrial cancer by a third. Further, a fifth of women on birth control evade the odds of contracting colorectal cancer.
This is a significant preventive measure, given both the stress and financial burden cancers bring.
But this is not all. A recent study in Sweden established that women who took birth control tablets have a lower risk for rheumatoid arthritis.
Since contraceptives reduce blood outflow, they help women’s bodies to retain much iron. Iron deficiency is the main cause of arthritis.
- Ease menstruation pains
Even though you don’t experience menstruation, you, like all other men can attest to how miserable your better half feels during the phase.
A lot of women get irritable, depressed, and feel awkward just before the onset of their monthly periods. Not only does menstruation causes crumps, but some women also have acute migraine, while others are stressed during this turbulence period.
You may notice a propagation of acne on women’s faces also. Yet there are many more symptoms that indicate she’s on her period.
Taking contraceptives could wipe all signs or make these symptoms more bearable for women. Pills help to moderate the bad effects menstruation has on women.
Women who take birth control tablets experience balance hormones. The drugs’ contents help to iron off the peaking and ebbing of a woman’s hormones.
Instead of undergoing the natural ups and downs, pills modulate the associated signs of mood swings that ovulation triggers. Thus pills help women bare this phase with confidence.
According to Kids Health, birth control is effective because it reduces the production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals responsible for contracting the muscles of the uterus. By decreasing these contractions, the level of pain experienced during menstruation is reduced. Additionally, birth control pills can also lower the amount of blood flow during a girl’s period.
- Pills lose effectiveness with other medications
Though birth control medicines work well, other treatments may hamper their efficacy. So you have to be careful about which drugs your take alongside these contraceptives.
Experts warn that some antibiotics are effective at neutralizing the strength of birth control medications. Antibiotics used to treat ringworms and other infections such as rifampicin can prevent the proper workings of contraceptives.
How is this possible? Well, physicians confirm that most antibiotics elevate the performance of liver enzymes. When this happens, these chemicals break down the ingredients of the pills much faster and are then released from the system.
Once excreted, family planning pills are no longer available in the reproductive system in sufficient quantities. As such, this deficiency may cause a lapse in protecting a woman against pregnancy.
To be sure, you need to include other forms of protection when you are taking other medicines while on pills. Another way is to consult your doctor to ensure you remain protected against unwanted pregnancy.
- Use pills properly
The last thing you probably didn’t know about the birth control pills is that they prevent pregnancy only when taken and stored well.
Some women may mistake contraceptives for any form of supplement. Thus they store it under harmful conditions or even take it when they feel like it.
These approaches are unhelpful and may expose these women to pregnancies even though they assume that they are doing everything correctly.
You can carry with you the pills, but you shouldn’t store them in places with high temperatures. Thus leaving them in your car during a hot afternoon degrade them and may render them useless.
Another factor that impacts the effectiveness of contraceptives is how you take them. You should begin on day one of your period.
If you forget to do this, then take two pills in quick succession during day two. Ideally, this should be after not twelve hours of the first one.
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- Safe for long-term usage
Birth control pills are simply synthetic forms of female sex hormones. Most variants contain estrogen and progestin.
These hormones are naturally secreted by a woman’s ovaries. But they aren’t the same. The pills contain ethinyl estradiol.
Birth control is meant to protect women against pregnancy risks. Thus they offer convenience and security to most sexually active women.
Still, to be effective, women need to take them continuously for the rest of their lives. While some women swallow pills only during their sexually-active seasons.
But here comes the question. Is it safe to take these medications for long?
A large proportion of women taking BCP don’t complain of any safety issues, even when they take them for an extended duration. But you must also lead a healthy lifestyle.
Certain lifestyles aren’t ideal for birth control pills. Women who smoke while under extended BCPs prescription may experience health safety lapses related to a blood clot.
- Has side effects and risks
Birth control pills, like any other tablets, are not without side effects. Though these inconveniences are minor and usually affect women with underlying medical conditions.
There are two kinds of BCPs. The minipills contain progestin only and work by thickening the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from accessing the fallopian tube.
The next is the combined pill which blends estrogen and progestin. This prevents ovaries from releasing eggs.
If you are on other medications, you need to confirm with your physician about possible medical interactions.
The Mayo Clinic highlights that combination birth control pills heighten the risk of several serious health conditions. These include deep vein thrombosis, which involves blood clots in the legs, as well as heart attacks and strokes, particularly if you are a smoker. Additionally, liver disorders may be a concern. Moreover, some potential adverse effects can manifest as belly pain, cramping, and vomiting, or as chest pain, coughing, and difficulty breathing. It’s crucial to be aware of these risks and consult with a healthcare professional to make informed decisions about birth control options.
Some women have complained of breast tenderness and nausea in the initial period of starting the BCP. Weight gain is a common issue in most women depending on BCPs.
The minipills offer lesser protection against pregnancy than the combined pills.
You still risk getting pregnant if you skip taking the pills. Mood swings and migraine are other side effects that you have to contend with when using these pills.
But BCPs don’t protect against STIs.
In conclusion, we have provided details regarding five things most people do not know about birth control pills. However, with the above-mentioned knowledge, we hope you can learn more about birth control pills and how they work.
SIMILAR QUESTION
What Are Some Negative Facts About Birth Control Pills?
Introduction
Birth control pills are a form of contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy. They are popular among women of reproductive age and have been used since the 1960s. While birth control pills are generally considered to be a safe and effective form of contraception, there are some potential negative facts associated with them that may be of concern. This paper will discuss some of the negative facts about birth control pills, including potential side effects, health risks, and other considerations.
Side Effects
One of the potential negative facts about birth control pills is the potential side effects associated with them. These may vary depending on the type of pill, but common side effects may include headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, and spotting between periods. Other more serious side effects may include an increased risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. If any of these side effects occur, it is important to contact a doctor immediately.
Health Risks
In addition to the potential side effects, there are also potential health risks associated with taking birth control pills. These may include an increased risk of breast and cervical cancer, as well as an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Women who take birth control pills may also be at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It is important to discuss these risks with a doctor before taking birth control pills.
Other Considerations
There are also other potential negative facts to consider when taking birth control pills. For example, they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, and they may interfere with certain medications or medical conditions. Birth control pills can also be expensive, and they may not be covered by insurance. Finally, birth control pills may not be effective if they are not taken properly, so it is important to follow the instructions provided by the doctor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are some potential negative facts associated with taking birth control pills. These may include potential side effects, health risks, and other considerations. It is important to discuss any concerns with a doctor before taking birth control pills, and to follow the instructions provided by the doctor for best results.
