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Birth Control Pills: The Risks

For so many women, the use of the birth control pill is an essential part of daily life and life would be impossible without it. For most women, the use of birth control pills carries minimal, well-calculated risks, however, it must be made clear that every woman carries a certain degree of health risk when taking this type of hormone medication. Some women are more at risk than others.

Women over the age of 35 and those who smoke are at greater risk of developing health problems associated with the birth control pill. Having the following medical problems or having had them in the past indicate that a woman is not suitable to use any form of contraceptive pill:

• History or heart attack or stroke – some women are even advised against the pill if there is a significant family history even if they have not suffered a heart attack or stroke themselves.
• Blood clots – including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
• Vaginal bleeding – for which there is no specific explanation or diagnosis.
• Known or suspected cancer.
• Known or suspected pregnancy.
• Liver disease – or any history of liver problems in the past.

The Benefits

Although many benefits of taking the oral contraceptive pill have still not been scientifically proven, there are a few suggested benefits women should be aware of when they compare birth control pills or consider their choice of contraceptive. The pill is believed to lower a woman’s risk of developing:

• Ovarian cancer
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Endometrial cancer

Unfortunately, the benefits are often less well-publicized than the risks. The most common risk, which is well-documented, is the link between the pill and an increased risk of breast cancer.

What’s Available: Compare Birth Control Pills

There are three main types of birth control pill on the market. Two are utilized for the deliberate function of avoiding pregnancy by hormone control and the third is better known as the ‘morning after pill,’ which acts as emergency contraception when the likelihood of an accidental pregnancy may have occurred.

Progestin-only Pill

Known also as the ‘mini pill,’ this pill contains no estrogen. It works by thickening the cervical secretions, which then acts as a barrier against sperm entering the female reproductive tract. To maintain its accurate effect, the mini pill must be taken at the exact same time every 24 hours.

Since some women are unable to take estrogen-based pills due to associated health risks, a progestin-only pill is an ideal option. It also has the benefits of decreasing menstrual blood loss and abdominal cramps.

Combination Pills

This option is a combined progestin and estrogen pill. This type of pill prevents pregnancy occurring by suppressing the act of ovulation. It also thickens cervical secretions in the same way as the mini pill. The pill is taken for 21 consecutive days of the menstrual cycle followed by a ‘placebo’ pill for 7 days, during which time menstruation occurs.

Combination pills are not recommended for women who wish to breastfeed. The estrogen component has an effect on both the quality and quantity of the breast milk produced, making the mini-pill the contraceptive of choice in such cases. When a woman is required to compare birth control pills, this pill does have the additional benefit of reducing the incidence of ovarian and endometrial cancer due to the estrogen content.

Emergency Contraceptive Pill

Known as 'Plan B,' this pill is not suitable for use as an ‘every day’ contraceptive and is designed to be used for emergency use only. The emergency pill contains a hormone called progestin levonorgestrel. This pill is designed as a two dose regime: the first to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex and the second dose twelve hours after the first.

It is only in recent years that this type of treatment has been available as an over-the-counter preparation, however, this has been a controversial action due to concerns that teenage girls will access this type of drug without the knowledge of their parents.

Alternative Choices

For women who do not want to take a pill every day, there are alternative choices of contraception. We all lead different lifestyles and, for some women, the following methods of contraception may be preferable:

• Depo-Provera – this is an injection given every 12 weeks.
• Coil – a device placed in the cervix that contains hormones that are released into the blood stream. The coil can be left in for up to five years.
• Implant – this matchstick-size implant is usually placed in the top of the arm and is implanted using local anesthesia to the area.

It must be remembered that the methods of contraception mentioned above do not provide any protection against sexually transmitted infections. Condoms need to be used in addition to the chosen form of hormone-based contraception.

With all types of contraception, there is never a 100 percent guarantee that pregnancy will be avoided; a small percentage of women do still become pregnant while using birth control. It is important to discuss benefits and risks with a physician before deciding on the best method of contraception for you.