Oral contraceptives, commonly known as birth control pills, are one of the most effective methods at preventing pregnancy. Pregnancy prevention may be the most well-known use; however, birth control pills have other uses as well. For instance, some women take them as a means to eliminate menstrual cycles. Other women take the pill to regulate their cycles.
Convenient and discreet, taking birth control pills is one way women can control hormones and their reproductive health. Most women can determine when or if they want to become pregnant by simply stopping the pill. The hormones in most birth control pills can be eliminated from a woman's system within a few days, making pregnancy a reality in a much shorter period of time than with other birth control methods.
There are some questionable issues about birth control pills. These include the risk of weight gain and the decreased effectiveness when also taking certain antibiotics. While some studies have found that taking birth control pills can cause women to gain weight, they have not been rigorous enough to validate this conclusion. In addition, only some antibiotics affect birth control pill effectiveness. Many are completely safe to take and should not affect the way birth control pills work.
What to Look for
Only a physician can prescribe birth control pills. Also, talk to the doctor about whether or not a traditional birth control pill cycle (21 active days and 7 placebo pills) is best or if an extended-cycle pill is safe. Extended-cycle pills have 28 active pills in each package, eliminating the placebo pills. It is during the placebo pills when menstrual cycles occur. Some extended-cycle pills can be taken for up to one year before a woman must have a menstrual cycle. A doctor can determine which one is most effective.
Common Pitfalls
There are side effects associated with the pill. These can include: headache, nausea, increase in blood pressure, as well as higher cholesterol level. In addition, some cancers have been associated with long-term use of certain birth control pills. If these are a concern, a quick check with a physician may be able to allay most fears. There are some women who should not take birth control pills. These include women over the age of 35 who smoke. Also, if a woman suspects she is pregnant, birth control pills are not a safe option. Finally, missing one or more doses of birth control pills can increase a woman's risk of becoming pregnant. To be safe, continue taking the pill but use another form of contraception in order to prevent an unintended pregnancy.
