If you want to prevent pregnancy, birth control pills might be a good option for you. This method is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy with additional health benefits, and fewer risks. However, it is not for everyone. Learn about the benefits and risks of birth control pills in this article. Visit Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center and consult with the best Women’s health specialist in New York.
What are birth control pills?
It is a type of oral contraception pill that contains hormones to change the way the body works and prevent pregnancy. Hormones are chemical substances that are produced in your body to control some of your body’s organ functions.
How effective are birth control pills?
These pills contain hormones that control the functions of the ovaries and the uterus. These pills are easy to use and prevent 99% of pregnancy when you take them every day as prescribed. However, it doesn’t protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). So, you need additional protection along with the pill to lower the risk of STIs.
There are 2 types of Birth Control pills
- Combination birth control pills: This type contains a combination of two hormones – estrogen and progestin. There are many combinations pills available to choose from. Your choice depends on how often you have periods and the dose of hormones you need. Talk to your Gynecologist to decide the best one for you.
- Progestin-only pills: This is also known as mini-pills, it only contains the hormone – progestin. It is available in fewer choices than combination pills. Each pack of pills has the same amount of progestin, and all pills are active. It is a better option if you’re breastfeeding or have a history of clots in your legs or lungs, or stroke.
There are morning-after pills that are used in emergencies when you’re not using typical birth control and you’re at risk of pregnancy. It is available under brand names like Plan B, One-step, and Ella. This works differently from regular birth control pills.
How do Birth Control Pills work?
Birth control pills contain a small amount of hormones that inhibit your body’s natural hormones to prevent pregnancy. Generally, you get pregnant when an egg is produced by the ovary and fertilized by sperm.
The fertilized egg attaches inside your uterus, where it develops into a baby. Hormones control the release of the egg from the ovary (called ovulation), which prepares your body to accept the fertilized egg.
The hormones these pills contain stop the body’s process of ovulating, which makes cervical mucus thicker, which stops the sperm from reaching the egg. It also changes the lining of the uterus, which is not favorable for a fertilized egg to get implanted.
Different types of birth control pills are available, and you can use any one of them based on your requirements.
Birth control pills are over 99% effective with perfect use . They prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, and thin the uterine lining. Must be taken daily at the same time.
Benefits of Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are one of the most popular forms of contraception to prevent pregnancy. They offer many benefits like:
- Very convenient to find.
- Very easy to take: Just take one pill every day.
- Effective in preventing pregnancy: They work 99% of the time when you take them correctly.
Besides pregnancy prevention, birth control pills also offer some other health benefits. They can:
- Make your periods lighter or more regular.
- Prevent anemia due to lighter periods.
- Lower menstrual cramps or migraines.
- Reduce fever symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
- Lower hot flashes during the transition into menopause.
- Treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Treat endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
- Lower the risk of ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and colon cancer.
- Stop the unwanted hair growth and clear acne.
Risks of Birth Control Pills
While birth control pills are safe for most people, sometimes some people experience side effects when they first start taking the pill. These side effects go away over time after a few months. Side effects may include:
- Nausea.
- Headaches.
- Irritability or moodiness.
- Breast tenderness or swelling.
- Spotting between periods.
If these side effects don’t improve, tell your doctor, who may advise you to switch to a different brand of birth control pill. Rarely, some people develop serious complications, including:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary embolism
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
You should discuss any concerns you have about birth control pills. And your doctor will guide you about the benefits and risks based on your medical history.
When to consider Birth Control Pills?
You can consider them when you are sexually active and have penetrative sex. It includes women, trans people, and nonbinary people. While they are safe for most people, they are not recommended for people who are over 35 and smoke. Even if you don’t smoke, you can’t take these pills if you have/had blood clots in your arms, legs, or lungs and cancer of the uterus. Some other conditions may also raise the level of risk of taking birth control pills. You should confirm with your doctor if you’re affected by one of these conditions or if you have a family history. These pills are not good for if you’re:
- Having high blood pressure that is not well managed.
- Over 35 and a chronic smoker.
- Having a history of stroke, heart disease, circulation problems, or breast cancer.
- Started breastfeeding within the past month
- Suffering from migraine headaches with aura.
- Battling with diabetes-related complications like nephropathy, retinopathy, or neuropathy.
- Recovering from surgery.
- Diagnosed with liver disease.
- Experiencing unexplained uterine bleeding.
Do birth control pills expire?
Yes, birth control pills do expire.
Just like any medication, birth control pills have an expiration date printed on the packaging. This date is typically about 1 to 5 years from the manufacture date. After that, the effectiveness of the hormones in the pills can decrease, meaning they may not work as well at preventing pregnancy.
Here’s what you should know:
Always check the expiration date before using birth control pills.
Don’t rely on expired pills as your primary form of contraception.
Storage matters – if pills are kept in high heat or humidity (like in a bathroom), they might degrade faster.
If you’re unsure or have expired pills, it’s best to talk to your pharmacist or doctor and get a fresh prescription. Want help finding more info on types or brands of birth control?
Birth control pills are a good option to prevent pregnancy as long as you take them every day. Besides preventing pregnancy, they also offer many other health benefits. However, these pills are not for everyone. If you have any of the above-mentioned health issues, then birth control pills are not for you. You can consult with your healthcare provider about which birth control pills are good for you based on your medical history.
If you need help with birth control pills, visit our gynecology clinic in Brooklyn to get a professional medical clinic. Call us to book your appointment now!!!
Log on to www.doralhw.org or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 to book an appointment. At Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center, we have the best GYN doctor in Brooklyn, and we provide women with quality health care services. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org/department/gynecology/
