What is a Birth Control Pill?

Also known as contraception, Birth control, is a way of preventing the chance of becoming pregnant. Although there are various birth control methods used by people, the most common and widely accepted birth control method is the birth control pill. Also known as “The Pill”, it is known to be very effective in preventing pregnancy. The pill uses hormones like estrogen and progesterone for altering the ovulation process. So the birth control pills work by preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries. The birth control pill is usually required to be taken one for each day and is available in various types. These are namely, combined pills, mini pills, emergency contraceptive pills, and phased regimen pills.

Consult your Doctor before Using the Pill

While the birth control pill is very effective in preventing pregnancy, there are certain allergy symptoms or side effects possible with the usage of these pills. That is why it is very important that you always consult your family physician before you take any birth control pill. The doctor will make an analysis and check whether the type of birth control pill is suitable for you.

Possible Side Effects with Birth Control Pills

It has been found that most of the women feel some mild side effects with pills. Birth control pills are known to be inclined to cause cramping, irregular menstrual bleeding, along with very light menstrual flow. Some may even miss their periods for longer duration. Moreover, there are some other severe birth control pills side effects such as depression, migraine headaches, increased chances of liver cancer, gall bladder disease, elevated blood pressure, along with a noted decrease in sexual fulfillment. Most often, you might have to go through brief episodes of spotting and nausea in the first few months of using the pills. Heart attacks and blood clots are the most serious among the birth control side effects. But it is mostly rare with the use of birth control pills. And also you have the risk of getting cervical dysplasia when you use birth control pills.

When you are taking the pill, you have a greater chance of getting vaginal infections. You may also experience sudden weight change, dizziness, bloating, mood swings, and breast tenderness. Blood clots are particularly a severe side effect of taking the birth control pill. Such blood clots may show various types of symptoms – these depend on the location of where the symptom shows in the body. Such symptoms include leg tenderness, chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness, and vision problems.

And you have a greater chance of getting a heart stroke if you are already suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, heart disease, or high cholesterol levels. If you are suffering from any of these medical conditions, you should consult your doctor and get appropriate advice. It can be tough to tell whether the side effect was actually caused by birth control pills. So better see the doctor, who will be in a position to detect and treat the condition, even if it is not due to the pill – it is better to be on the safer side. The doctor will also guide on a suitable birth control pill for you, or may suggest alternative birth control methods.