Birth Control Pill for Women: Do You Know The Risks?: If you’re planning to have unprotected sex, birth control pills are a great way to prevent pregnancy. But are you aware of the risks involved? A blog on birth control

 The birth control pill is a type of contraception that contains hormones that prevent pregnancy.

Most pills contain two types of synthetic (man-made) female hormones: estrogen and progestin. These are similar to the estrogen and progesterone normally made by the ovaries

Birth control pills do not prevent or protect against sexually transmitted diseases. It does not safeguard you from HIV/AIDS or other sexually  transmitted  diseases.

The pill contains two hormones – oestrogen and progestogen. These are similar to hormones that are produced by the ovaries.

Progestin-only (norethindrone) oral contraceptives come as tablets to take by mouth,
Progestin-only (norethindrone) oral contraceptives come in packs of 28 tablets. Begin the next pack the day after the last pack is finished.
Take progestin-only (norethindrone) oral contraceptives exactly as directed.

Progestin-only (norethindrone) oral contraceptives may cause side effect

• Irregular menstrual periods
• headache
• breast tenderness
• nausea
• dizziness
• acne
• weight gain

Good about pills

• help with symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis.
• Benefits of the pill

• The birth control pill can result in lighter bleeding and decreased pain during your monthly period.

  Studies have shown the birth control pill leads to lower rates of pelvic inflammatory disease and cancer in the uterus and ovaries.

  There are a variety of birth control pills available to fit your need. For example, progestin-only versions of the pill ("mini-pill") exist if you are breastfeeding or unable to use estrogen due to medical reasons.

The pill is a highly effective method of birth control when taken correctly (at the same time daily), with only 0.1% of women experiencing an unintended pregnancy.

Common Side Effects of Combination Birth Control Pills.

These contraceptive pills are hormonal pills and its usage for an extended period of time would lead to severe menstrual problems and ovarian damage.

1. Nausea: mild nausea when initially starting the pill can occur. However, nausea symptoms usually resolve over a short period of time. It is less likely to occur if the Pill is taken after dinner or with a bedtime snack. One solution is to try taking your pill with food or at bedtime. Seek medical help if the nausea is severe or persistent.
2. Breast tenderness: birth control pills may cause your breasts to enlarge or become tender, which tends to improve after the first few weeks of starting the pill. However, if there is a presence of a lump or the pain is not going away, seek medical help. Reducing caffeine and salt intake can decrease breast tenderness, as can wearing a supportive bra.
3. Sore or enlarged breasts: Very occasionally, your breasts may become tender and/or get larger, but usually your breasts will stay the same. Breast tenderness usually goes away after a few months. If you still have problems, talk to your health care provider and see if you need to be on a pill with less estrogen.
4. Irregular periods: Spotting a  very light bleeding may occur during the first 1-3 weeks of starting the Pill, or if you miss a pill. If the bleeding becomes heavier or lasts more than a few days or the bleeding happens after you have been on the pill for a few months, keep taking the pill and talk with your health care provider.
5. Headaches: Headaches may occur because of stress at school or home, too little sleep, sinus infections, or migraines. The Pill can make headaches better or worse.
6. Mood changes: Feeling up and down emotionally can sometimes happen to anyone and is unlikely to be caused by the Pill. Exercise and a healthy diet may help, along with talking to a counselor. 
7. Weight change: Some teens gain weight and some teens lose weight while on the Pill, but most stay exactly the same. Try to remember to watch your portion sizes, avoid fast food, and eat 5-13 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Drink lots of water and don’t forget to exercise! Just in case you were wondering, there are no calories in the Pill.
8. Irregular bleeding and spotting between periods
9. Decreased sex drive  ;The combination of estrogen and progestin hormones in combined birth control pills can lower your body's testosterone levels. Since testosterone is one of several hormones responsible for regulating your sex drive, this could cause you to develop a lower level of interest in sex.
10. Vaginal discharge (non-odorous) The vaginal discharge caused by the pill is a result of an increase in your production of cervical fluid, not a sign of any sexually transmitted infection or other health issues

here are many advantages to using the birth control pill as a means of female contraception. It's convenient, usually covered by your insurance, and has few side effects for most women.

Risks of the pill

• Blood clots. These are more likely to form in your legs or lungs if you are on a birth control pill that contains estrogen, says D
• Heart attacks The estrogen in birth control pills and in hormone patches, implants, vaginal rings and injections can cause an increase in blood clotting, which could result in a heart attack
• Stroke  raising blood pressure and by making blood hypercoagulable (more likely to clot)
• Gallbladder disease  Both estrogen and progesterone have been shown to increase the risk of gallstones. Estrogen has been shown to increase cholesterol production in the liver, with excess amounts precipitating in bile and leading to the formation of gallstones.
• Liver tumors  Taking birth control pills is associated with an increase in benign liver tumors. These tumors rarely become malignant (cancerous). 
• Cancer of the reproductive organs
• Elevated triglycerides and pancreatitis

What does a mini pill do?

The minipill thickens cervical mucus and thins the lining of the uterus (endometrium) — preventing sperm from reaching the egg. The minipill also suppresses ovulation, but not consistently

• Common Side Effects of Minipills
• • Period changes, ranging from periods stopping to heavier bleeding.
  • Hormonal birth control methods work by:
  • Preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs
  • Blocking sperm from entering the uterus by making the mucus in the cervix thick and sticky
  • Making it difficult for a fertilized egg to attach itself to the uterus by thinning the uterus lining

  Benefits of Hormonal Birth Control 
• • Irregular menstruation cycles
  • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Anemia (low hemoglobin)
  • Endometriosis
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Acne
  • Migraines
  • Unwanted hair growth
  • Menopause-related hot flashes
  • Risk of uterine, ovarian, and colon cancer
  • Risks of Hormonal Birth Control
• • Heart attack: A blood clot in the heart can lead to a heart attack.
  • Stroke: A blood clot in the brain can lead to a stroke.
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot in the legs can cause DVT.
  • Breast and cervical cancer: Hormonal birth control may slightly raise the person’s risk of developing breast and cervical cancer.
  • Liver tumors: In rare cases, going on hormonal birth control can lead to the formation of benign tumors in the liver.
  • Gallbladder stones: People who have a family history of gallstone disease may experience accelerated development of gallbladder stones once they go on hormonal birth control.
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    The pill can also be taken for non-contraceptive protection to treat medical conditions such as:

• Regulation of menstrual periods
• Irregular periods
• irregular periods can be caused by some medicines , exercising to much , having a very low or high body weight or not eating enough calories. 
• Menorrhagia (heavy periods)
• Menorrhagia is heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.  It is caused by hormone problems, problems with the uterus, or other health conditions.
• Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
• This pain is caused by natural called prostaglandins that are made the lining of uterus . prostagladins cause the muscles and blood vessels of the the uterus to contract. 
• Endometriosis
• happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (womb) grows outside of the uterus
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• PMS
• A group of symptoms that occur in women, typically between ovulation and a period.
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS that includes physical and behavioural symptoms that usually resolve with the onset of menstruation.
• Acne, hirsutism (excess hair growth) and alopecia (hair loss)
• Decreasing the risk of breast cysts, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and pregnancies in the fallopian tubes.