"Artificial" family planning, or the use of hormonal methods for birth control, comes with both benefits and risks. Some women choose to use natural family planning by following their menstrual cycles and avoiding sex during ovulation to avoid these risks. Some choose barrier methods of birth control, such as condoms. Others find that the convenience and other benefits of hormonal birth control outweigh the risks.
Types
Types of hormonal birth control include the birth control pill, patch, injection, vaginal ring and intrauterine device. The birth control pill is taken daily. The patch is applied to the buttocks, arm or hip on a weekly basis. The vaginal ring is a flexible device that is left in for three weeks. Injections last for one or three months, depending on type. The intrauterine device, or IUD, is small plastic device containing copper or hormones that is inserted into the uterus by a health care provider. All hormonal methods involve manufactured versions of the hormones estrogen and/or progesterone.
Benefits
Hormonal methods of birth control are highly effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly. They are generally safe and convenient. The patch, pill, injection and vaginal ring are easy to get with a prescription. The patch, pill and vaginal ring have been shown to possibly provide protection against acne, bone thinning, non-cancerous breast growths, ectopic pregnancy, endometrial and ovarian cancers, iron deficiency anemia, ovarian cysts and premenstrual symptoms. The patch and vaginal ring have also been shown to reduce risk of bad menstrual cramps and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Side Effects
Common side effects of the birth control patch, pill and vaginal ring include bleeding between periods, breast tenderness, nausea or vomiting. The patch may also cause irritation where it touches the skin. The ring may also cause increased vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation or infection. The shot may cause irregular periods. Less common side effects of the shot include change in sex drive, change in appetite, depression, hair loss or increased hair on the face or body, headache, nausea or sore breasts. The IUD may cause mild to moderate pain when it's put in, cramping or backache for a few days and spotting between periods in the first three to six months.
Misconceptions
Many misconceptions surround the long-term use of the birth control pill. The pill has been studied more than any other medication in history and has been found to be safe for most women, according to Go Ask Alice, a Q&A service at Columbia University. The pill does not affect future fertility or onset of menopause. There is no medical reason to "take a break" from using the pill. The pill does not increase the risk of developing breast cancer, although it is possible that an existing tumor may be worsened by the pill. However, women who smoke are not advised to use the birth control pill because of risk of adverse health effects.
Long-Term Effects
Hormonal methods that contain estrogen like the combination pill, vaginal ring or patch increase risk of heart attack, stroke, or having a blood clot in the legs, lungs, heart or brain, according to Planned Parenthood. Other rare risks include developing high blood pressure, liver tumors, gallstones, or yellowing of the skin or eyes--also known as jaundice--especially if you have other pre-existing risk factors. Combination pills may also increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cervical cancer and liver cancer. The IUD can rarely affect fertility if an infection develops.
