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Common
Myths on taking the Birth Control Pills
Ever since it got its
approval last May 9, 1960, "the pill" has been the medication that has received
much intrigue and study. Even if women are now well informed on the topic of birth
control pills, they still believe the myths and misconceptions that exist on the
birth control pill. Based on research by the British Medical Journal, the lack
of sufficient knowledge about birth control pills contributes to one fifth of
unwanted pregnancy cases. Because of this, there has been a move to educate people
on what is true or not on the use of birth control pills. Several common myths
and misconceptions on the pill are discussed below:
You will have an
Increase in Weight while taking Birth Control Pills
This is the most
common myth about pills which makes most women avoid using it. There are a handful
of women who have gained a bit of weight during the period they used the pill
although there has been findings to show that the birth control pills were the
reason for the weight gain. It is actually a feeling of being bloated that makes
them feel that they have weight gain which is the effect of estrogen, one of the
hormones found in the Birth control pills. The other hormone, progestin, stimulates
the appetite so women tend to eat more and may be responsible for those additional
pounds. Water retention may also be a culprit to weight gain. Lastly, most studies
have presented facts that women usually take birth control pills during the time
their bodies are undergoing physiologic weight fluctuations, wherein the pills
inadvertently takes the blame for weight gain.
You have to Stop taking
Birth Control Pills Occasionally
There has been no medical basis to
say that a woman should stop taking pills occasionally. In fact, medical experts
have advised that it is quite safe to take the pill for 15 consecutive years or
more. What is advised is to make a review of your need for contraception after
using the pill for 15 years or if you have reached 35 years old since the female
body undergoes a lot of changes during this period of time.
Birth control
pills are considered to be a very potent contraceptive. Stopping its use even
for a while may be quite risky for pregnancy especially if you are active sexually.
It is even quite possible for pregnancy to occur once you stop taking birth control
pills. The side effects that were present during the start of taking these pills
may also be felt at this time.
Birth Control Pills are Dangerous to
Use Since it Causes Birth Defects
The pill is probably considered to
be the most prescribed drug as well as the one with the most research made. All
medications have their own side effects and risk to health although the degree
of severity is frequently low. It is even said that childbirth poses a greater
risk as compared to using the pill. Over a tenth of a billion women all over the
world take birth control pills. A lot of them in fact have experienced better
health while using the pill as compared to when they are not. This is due to the
fact that birth control pills have a hand in minimizing symptoms of PMS.
Birth
control pills are known to be safe. And it has no direct effect in causing birth
defects to occur.
Using Birth Control Pills for a Long Time Affects Fertility
Infertility
and birth control pills are two different entities. In fact, a woman becomes fertile
as soon as she stops taking birth control pills, which is the reason why women
are advised not to skip taking it. A handful of women may experience a slight
delay in conceiving, usually those who have experienced irregular menstrual periods
before taking birth control pills. The reason why women have associated infertility
with birth control pills is that most women stop taking the pill when they are
already nearing forty years of age, which is also the time that the natural fertility
of a woman has declined, therefore having a hard time conceiving a child. The
woman may also have an underlying problem with conception that has not been detected
before.
The Contents of Every Birth Control Pill are the Same
Birth
control pills come in different packages, varieties and brands, therefore also
have different dosages and amounts of hormones in them. Their time or interval
of action also varies per cycle. The birth control pills have two kinds: the combination
pills that contain both progestin and estrogen, and the progestin-only pills that
only contain progestin. Every woman has their own unique response to taking birth
control pills. Effects and benefits will definitely vary for each.
Birth
Control Pills and Smoking Can Mix
Smoking, even in women, poses a dangerous
risk on a person's health, irregardless of if they are taking birth control pills
or not. Women should inform their health providers honestly if they do smoke and
the frequency of smoking before taking birth control pills. The reason for this
is that women, especially those who are 35 years old and above, have a higher
risk of having a stroke. If they are also taking birth control pills, then they
have doubled and even tripled their risk for a heart attack or stroke. This is
also the reason why doctors do not prescribe combination pills to women smokers.
Some may take the risk and try to use progestin-only pills and combination pills
with a low dosage. But, the general rule is that if a woman smokes and takes birth
control pills, the chances of developing stroke due to blood clots are incredibly
high.
It is Most Risky to Skip taking Birth Control Pills at the middle
of the Pack
It is actually most risky to skip taking birth control pills
at the start or the end of the pack instead of at the middle. Since women are
required to take seven pills consecutively to stop ovulation from occurring, the
next seven days after this can be skipped. Therefore, it is actually less risky
to skip the birth control pills at the middle. It is not safe to miss it at the
start of the pack or towards the end of the pack because it extends the 7 days
without pills and disrupts the whole cycle. Also, forgetting to take birth control
pills towards the end of the pack may seem to be okay since it is near their menstruation
period but on the contrary, it only results in not being able to stop ovulation
for the succeeding month.
Birth Control Pills are Used for Contraception
only
Birth control pills have a lot of other benefits to a woman's health
aside from preventing conception to occur. Doctors often prescribe birth control
pills for those women who would like to improve their quality of health. These
health benefits are comprised of the following: regularity of menstruation, the
ability to control the days of menstruation, preventing pain during ovulation,
lessening cramps during menstruation, reducing symptoms of PMS, and removing the
risk of acquiring anemia due to heavy menstrual blood flow. Birth control pills
can also be used to protect the body against acne, ectopic or tubal pregnancy,
benign growths in the mammary glands, cysts in the ovary, ovarian cancer, PID
or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, an increase in the growth of hair in the face
and body, osteoporosis, and a few types of migraine.
Birth Control Pills
are not for 35 year old Women; Permission needed for Teenagers
Birth
Control Pills can be taken by women more than 35 years of age as long as they
are healthy, non-smokers, not hypertensive, and have no other risk factors for
stroke or heart attack, as long as it is in low doses. It may actually benefit
women aged 40 and above, or those nearing menopause who still have heavy and irregular
menstrual periods. Birth control pills cannot be taken by women 35 years old and
above if they smoke.
Teenagers do not need to ask for their parent's permission
to get birth control pills and usually doctors do not require it. But since taking
birth control pills is quite an important decision to make, it is recommended
that it be discussed first with an adult, preferably a parent.
Birth
Control Pills is Cancerous
On the contrary, studies have shown that
taking birth control pills have lowered the risk of getting uterine or ovarian
cancer by one third in women as opposed to those women who do not take birth control
pills. This protection usually increases for every year that it is used and will
last to a maximum of thirty years following the stoppage of the use of birth control
pills.
There are even experts who prescribe birth control pills for women
to take for a minimum of five years to protect them from ovarian cancer, most
especially if the woman has a history of having ovarian cancer in the family.
Recent studies have shown that the effect of birth control pills in causing breast
cancer is very minimal to none at all. That it is safe for women to take estrogen
before having menopause since it does not predispose them to having breast cancer.
