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Is Birth Control Pill Safe?

The birth control pill, or "the pill", is one of the most popular ways for women to prevent pregnancy. Many women around the world use it every day. It is small, easy to use and can help in planning when to have children or become a parent. But like anything related to health, it is important to ask if the birth control pill is safe for you.

To answer this, we must first understand what the pill is, how it works and what effects it might have on your body. We also need to look at what doctors and scientists say about its safety. In this blog, we will break all of that down in simple words. Whether you are thinking about starting the pill or just want to learn more, this blog will help you understand the facts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The birth control pill is a hormonal medication taken daily to prevent pregnancy. It contains synthetic versions of the natural female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It works by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary, thickening the cervical mucus, and thinning the inner lining of the uterus.

  • Besides preventing pregnancy, the pill also helps manage conditions like irregular periods, heavy and painful periods, hormonal acne, PCOS, endometriosis, etc.

  • Possible side effects for some women include nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, spotting between periods, and mood changes, among others. These often improve within a few weeks to a few months after starting the pill as the body adjusts to it.

  • Most women can take the pill safely, but some may face a small risk such as that of blood clots, raised blood pressure, and hormone-related cancers, among others. These risks are low and rare.

What is the Birth Control Pill?

Is Birth Control Pill Safe? What is the Birth Control Pill? What are the Benefits of the Pill? What are the Risks of Using the Birth Control Pill? What are the side effects of Using the Birth Control Pill? Is the Birth Control Pill 100% safe?
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The birth control pill, also known as the oral contraceptive pill, is a hormonal medication taken every day to prevent pregnancy. These contain synthetic versions of the natural female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These synthetic hormones mimic the natural ones to prevent pregnancy and regulate the menstrual cycle.

There are two main types of birth control pills - combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), which contains both estrogen and progestin (synthetic form of progesterone), and progestin-only pill (POP), which contains only progestin. The COCP is the most commonly used type of birth control pill and the POP is usually recommended for women who cannot take estrogen due to medical reasons.

Birth control pills work mainly by:

  • Stopping the release of an egg from the ovaries each month, preventing the fertilisation of an egg by the sperm during sex.

  • Thickening the mucus at the cervix, making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg.

  • Thinning the inner lining of the uterus, preventing a fertilised egg from attaching, growing and developing into a pregnancy.

This process is safe for most healthy women and does not harm their reproductive system.

What are the Benefits of the Pill?

Is Birth Control Pill Safe? What is the Birth Control Pill? What are the Benefits of the Pill? What are the Risks of Using the Birth Control Pill? What are the side effects of Using the Birth Control Pill? Is the Birth Control Pill 100% safe?

While many women take the birth control pill mainly to avoid pregnancy, it has other helpful effects too. These benefits can make daily life easier for many women.

Here are some ways in which birth control ways are more beneficial:

  • Regular and lighter periods: It can make periods more regular and lighter. Women who have heavy or painful periods often find relief when they start using the pill.

  • Reduced Period-related symptoms: It can help with menstrual and pre-menstrual symptoms like cramps, bodyache, mood swings, tiredness, and sore or tender breasts, etc.

  • Clearer skin: It helps some women with acne, especially teenage girls. The hormones in the pill can make the skin clearer.

  • Reduced risk of ovarian and endometral cancer: It reduces the risk of cancer in the ovaries and the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus). These benefits grow over time, the longer a woman uses the pill.

  • Skipping periods: Some women use the pill to skip periods during exams, travel, or special events. This is done with the help of a doctor and is usually safe.

These benefits may not be experienced by all women. But for many women, the pill does more than just prevent pregnancy. It can also make their daily life more comfortable and easier to manage.

Is the Birth Control Pill 100% safe?

Is Birth Control Pill Safe? What is the Birth Control Pill? What are the Benefits of the Pill? What are the Risks of Using the Birth Control Pill? What are the side effects of Using the Birth Control Pill? Is the Birth Control Pill 100% safe?

What are the Side Effects of the Birth Control Pill?

The pill is safe for most healthy women. However, like all medicines, it may have some side effects in some women, and these side effects may not be the same for everyone.

Some common side effects include headaches, nausea, vomiting, sore and tender breasts, mood changes, spotting between periods, water retention, among others. According to research studies, in most cases, these issues go away within the first three months of starting the pill, as the body gets used to it.

What are the Risks of Using the Birth Control Pill?

For most healthy women, birth control pills are safe and do not cause lasting harm. But like any medicine, they carry some risks, especially for women with certain health conditions or habits like smoking.

  • Blood clots: The COCP slightly increases the chance of blood clots in the legs or lungs, for some women. This risk is low, about 6 in 10,000 women per year, and is still lower than the risk of developing blood clots during pregnancy. The chance increases with age, smoking, being overweight, or having a family history of blood clots.

  • Higher blood pressure: Some women may notice a small rise in blood pressure while using the pill. This is usually mild and goes away after stopping the pill, but regular monitoring is usually recommended.

  • Cancer: There may be a small increase in the risk of breast and cervical cancers while using the pill, but this fades over time after stopping it. At the same time, the pill lowers the risk of ovarian, uterine (womb), and colorectal (bowel) cancers.

  • Liver effects: Rarely, long-term use may cause non-cancerous liver growths or mild changes in liver function. This is uncommon and usually not harmful.

  • Stroke: Women who get migraines with aura should avoid using COCPs, as these can have a higher risk of stroke.

These risks are low for most young, healthy women. A doctor can help check if the pill is safe for you based on your medical history.

What are the Benefits of the Pill?

Is Birth Control Pill Safe? What is the Birth Control Pill? What are the Benefits of the Pill? What are the Risks of Using the Birth Control Pill? What are the side effects of Using the Birth Control Pill? Is the Birth Control Pill 100% safe?

While many women take the birth control pill mainly to avoid pregnancy, it has other helpful effects too. These benefits can make daily life easier for many women.

Here are some ways in which birth control ways are more beneficial:

  • Regular and lighter periods: It can make periods more regular and lighter. Women who have heavy or painful periods often find relief when they start using the pill.

  • Reduced Period-related symptoms: It can help with menstrual and pre-menstrual symptoms like cramps, bodyache, mood swings, tiredness, and sore or tender breasts, etc.

  • Clearer skin: It helps some women with acne, especially teenage girls. The hormones in the pill can make the skin clearer.

  • Reduced risk of ovarian and endometral cancer: It reduces the risk of cancer in the ovaries and the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus). These benefits grow over time, the longer a woman uses the pill.

  • Skipping periods: Some women use the pill to skip periods during exams, travel, or special events. This is done with the help of a doctor and is usually safe.

These benefits may not be experienced by all women. But for many women, the pill does more than just prevent pregnancy. It can also make their daily life more comfortable and easier to manage.

Conclusion

The birth control pill is safe and effective for most healthy women when used correctly. While there may be some side effects and risks, these are usually mild, temporary, and manageable. The benefits often outweigh the risks, especially for women who are healthy and do not have a complicated medical history. However, because each woman's body and health history are different, it is important to speak with a doctor before using any birth control pill. A doctor can help choose the right pill and ensure it is safe for you.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Is it harmful to take the pill every day?

    The birth control pill is safe for most healthy women. It is designed to be taken daily. The hormones contained in the pill are in small amounts and are meant to be taken long-term. It is important to consult your doctor before using the pill and if you experience any unusual symptoms.

  • Is it better to take the pill or not?

    This depends on your health, lifestyle, and personal choices. For many women, the birth control pill is a safe and easy way to prevent pregnancy and manage certain health conditions. A doctor can help you decide if the pill is right for you.

  • Does the pill change your body shape?

    The birth control pill does not directly change body shape. Some women report slight weight gain, but this is usually due to water retention in the body, not fat gain. Most women do not experience any lasting weight or shape changes.

  • Does the pill stop periods?

    The birth control pill can be used to skip periods if taken continuously without a break. Some women also notice lighter or shorter periods while on the pill. This is common and usually safe and should bed done with a doctor’s advice.

Important

This blog, including its text, images, and infographics, is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. For personalised advice, always consult a doctor.

Further Reading

For more details on this or related topics, refer to the papers listed in references below, or check out the other blogs on our website dulycare.in.

References

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