The birth control pill is safe for most people, but like any other drug, it has some side effects and risks. Some people might not be affected, but others may be severely affected by the pill.
Birth control pills are oral contraceptives that contain hormones that help prevent ovaries from releasing eggs during ovulation. They also allow for the thickening of cervical mucus. The mucus acts as a barrier between sperm and any eggs that may be formed. It reduces the possibility of one getting pregnant.
Though it continues to be a certain way to prevent pregnancies, there have been exceptions. There are instances where the ovaries release the egg and the mucus does not prevent the fusion with the sperm. Consequentially, one may get pregnant even while on the pill. It is however a rare occurrence.
Most birth control pills contain a combination of hormones oestrogen and progestin, hence the name ‘combination pills.’ Other pills contain the progestin hormone, hence the term ‘mini’ pill. Though safe, birth control pills could increase one’s risk of acquiring health problems.
In most circumstances, one may experience short-time side effects from taking the pill. These side effects include acne, spotting, bloating, depression, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, mood swings, nausea, vomiting and increased appetite. These side effects come due to the body adjusting to the increased hormone levels in the body. They should therefore subside after the first two to three months of taking the pill.
People who take oral contraceptives and at the same time smoke, are likely to suffer harmful side effects from the pill. The harmful side effects are strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attacks, gall bladder disease and liver cancer. It is therefore important for one to inform the doctor if they smoke before the contraceptives are prescribed.
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Depression and the Birth Control Pill
Aside from that, birth control pills may cause a severe level of depression in women who take them. This has been realised recently after a large number of women completed a survey and were found to be depressed after they began taking birth control pills. Women who start taking the pills often get an increased appetite, therefore eat more and they tend to get weight gain.
Weight gain in women has often been found to be a contributing factor to their depression levels. Aside from that, the mood swings they would experience would alienate those around them. Consequently, they start feeling more lonely than they did before.
In addition to this, the hormones are increased within their bodies, their moods are increased and they feel more of their emotions. In most cases, if the dominant feeling is sadness or pain, They tend to embrace it more and suffer from it more.
Though birth control pills help women to prevent getting pregnant, there are significant side effects. These side effects may wear off after two to three months but often a side effect like depression often takes time to go away.
If the symptoms and side effects last longer than three months since onset, it is advised to seek help from a doctor. When one finds that the depression does not go away after the first few months, they should seek medical assistance.
These side effects however occur in very rare circumstances. They have helped millions of women to avoid pregnancies and the pills have existed for over 50 years. An alternative contraceptive to use is the vaginal ring.
Read Also: Ministry of health launch vaginal rings to curb HIV infections
