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The side effects of taking oral contraceptives

Dear LIFELINE,

I am a 19-year-old female and only recently become sexually active. I would like to use the "pill" for birth control, but would like to know what the side effects are first. I hear it can make a person gain weight which I do not want to happen.

Hoping to read your answer soon.

K.P.

There are some risks and also significant benefits to be considered before making the decision to take the oral contraceptive pill. Most available contraceptive pills now contain 'low dose' and 'very low dose' hormone content which makes their use significantly safer and minimises side effects. The use of most of the newer, very low dose, oral contraceptive pills is not associated with any significant weight gain. There is, however, a small risk of venous Thromboembolism (blood clots) linked to the use of the oral contraceptive pill, (OCP). The OCP is also associated with a greater risk of Myocardial Infarction (Heart attack) in cigarette smokers and also when used by older women, over 40. Some newer studies done with the low dose contraceptives tend to show that there might even be a reduced risk of heart attack when these pills are used.

The OCP can also cause a slight increase in blood pressure and blood sugar levels so women who are hypertensive or diabetic should be monitored carefully by their physician when using this method of birth control. The OCP is still SAFE for them to use. It is safer for most women to be on the contraceptive pill than to become pregnant!

The OCP is not often used in cancer patients. This holds especially true for women with breast cancer where sometimes the cancer cells are oestrogen dependent and, therefore, this disease would be worsened with the use of the OCPs which contain oestrogen. Taking the OCP increases the risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and therefore the OCP should not be used by women with these disorders.

On the other hand, women on the oral contraceptive pill reduce their risk of the following disorders to the extent stated in percentages (%).

Ectopic Pregnancy risk reduced by 90%

Ovarian cancer risk reduced by 40%

Endometrial cancerrisk reduced by 40%

Ovarian Cysts risk reduced by 20% - 78%

Uterine Fibroids risk reduced by 15%

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease risk reduced by 50%

Menorrhagia (heavy periods) risk reduced by 50%

Dysmenorrhea (painful periods) risk reduced by 40%

Iron Defficiency Anaemia risk reduced by 50%

The OCPs protect strongly against Ovarian Cancer which is so difficult to diagnose and its protective effect lasts for up to 30 years after stopping OCP use.

While the pill does not prevent transmission of HIV or herpes, it does give some protection against bactirial infection. Use of OCP results in thickening of the cervical mucous and, therefore, makes it difficult for bacteria to penetrate the mucous.

Using the oral contraceptive pill gives protection against developing uterine fibroids as the pill causes less oestrogen stimulation than that which occurs during a woman's normal cycle.

The pill also decreases the growth of the endometria tissues which are shed monthly as the period. It, therefore, decreases the amount of blood loss which occurs and is very useful in women with heavy menstrual flow.

The OCP is, therefore, very safe for use in most women confers significant benefits such as protection against ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, heavy periods, painful periods and even some protection against bacterial womb infection. It is, however, not to be used by smokers or women who have had breast cancer (or are greatly at risk for this).

A.J.M.