Centuries ago, women really did not have a say about whether they want to have a baby or not. Nowadays, however, women have the capacity to plan their lives, careers and family with the help of contraceptives, particularly birth control pills -- which is considered as a contraceptive that is around 92% to 99.75% effective. Statistics show that this oral contraceptive is still the number one choice of women. However, birth control pills do not work to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, reproductive tract infections and AIDS/HIV. Although The Pill can be considered as an effective way to control birth, a lot of women are still afraid to use it because of perceived side effects. Moreover, oral contraceptives are not for everyone. Women who are above 35 years old, smokers, and have liver diseases, heart problems, inexplicable vaginal bleeding, history of stroke or heart disease and cancer should not take pills. And of course, women who think that they are pregnant should absolutely not take contraceptive pills.
Side Effects As mentioned earlier, there are quite a number of women who are afraid to take oral contraceptives because of side effects. They feel that their protection against unwanted pregnancy does not outweigh possible adverse effects that may be brought about by using The Pill. If there is one thing that really prevents a lot of ladies out there to try taking pills, it is the fear of increasing their risk of having cancer, particularly in the breasts, ovaries and other reproductive organs.
Birth Control Pill Myths Women who are sexually active sometimes get confused about the use of family planning pills. One minute they are convinced that the pills are a good way of reducing the normally heavy flow during periods the next minute they are being made to believe that the pills lower the sex drive and makes a woman add a lot of weight. The much dreaded weight gain makes the woman swear never to use the pills again but the health advantage of lowering ovarian cancer makes her change her mind. There are several birth-control pill myths which are very misleading in some instances. Sometimes it becomes hard to separate reality of birth control from the myths. One of the myths involved is that it is not a good idea to stop menstrual flow as it might expose a risk to your health. Studies have been conducted to show the truth. It has been revealed that it is perfectly safe to suppress your menses but it is advisable to use tested and medically approved methods. Examples of such recommended pills are seasonique and Depo-Provera injection.
Birth Control Tips Well, you do not need to panic as you have solution in the form of birth control pills, condoms and other birth control products, which will help you to enjoy your vacation or travel. First, you will need to know when your "days" are coming in. If you do not wish to have period, you can avoid it by continuing the birth control pills once you have consulted with your doctor. If you plan for long vacation (more than two weeks), you will need to take personal hygiene products, specially birth control pills, condoms, spermicidal creams, sponges, patch etc., which may not be easily available at all places whenever you need them in short period of time. If you encounter with unprotected sex, you will need emergency contraceptive pill like Plan B ready with you to avoid unwanted pregnancy, but Plan B might not easily available in the area where you stay. Following list of birth control products you may consider taking with you always whenever you travel or go for vacation.
Birth control pills or hormonal oral contraception, as they are also known, are cited for different side effects like lighter and regular periods, clearer skin, less menstrual cramping, and decreased risks for certain cancers. However, different women may have varying reactions to the hormones in oral contraceptives. As such, the side effects of birth control pills can range from positive to negative depending on the body's reactions to the artificial hormones. Below are some of the not-so-nice side effects of oral contraception and ways to manage them:
Light, in-between period bleeding
Some women may experience bleeding in-between periods when they first start using oral contraceptives. While uncomfortable, this side effect is only a sign that the body is adjusting to the introduction of additional hormones. This side effect may last for up to three months but will eventually pass. Using low-absorbency tampons, sanitary pads, and panty liners can make in-between period bleeding more manageable. It is also generally advised that women who experience this side effect should take iron supplements to combat anemia.
Skipped period
Alternatively, the body may skip periods in the course of adjusting to oral contraceptive use. While this is relatively better than bleeding, skipped periods can leave a woman feeling bloated. Decreasing sodium intake can minimize water retention and the bloated sensation. However, if pill use is inconsistent or there are times of missed pill intakes, medical attention should be sought especially if a woman engaged in unprotected sex for possible pregnancy.
Nausea
Due to increased hormones in the body, a woman may feel dizzy and nauseous when taking oral contraceptives. The best way to manage this is to chart when the dizzy spells come or what triggers the nausea. For example, if dizzy spells are experienced an hour or two after taking the pill, a woman should consider changing the schedule of her pill intake to a comfortable time like before bedtime. Carrying smelling salts or soothing aromatherapy oils can make passing dizzy spells easier.
Weight change
Although some women lose weight when taking oral contraceptives, a larger number reports experiencing weight gain when taking birth control pills. While studies show that there is no causal relationship between weight gain and oral contraception, they indicate that a large percentage of the reported increase in weight of pill users are based on how women react to the mood swings and other side effects of pill use. Women can manage their weight when taking oral contraceptives by exercising portion control, staying active, and maintaining a healthy diet.
The side effects listed above are commonly experienced by many pill users. They are also minor and are easily manageable. However, if any of the following side effects are experienced, a woman is advised to seek medical attention and talk to her gynecologist or clinician about other birth control options:
* severe chest pains or shortness of breath * severe and persistent abdominal pain * frequent migraine attacks or throbbing headaches * moderate to severe leg pains * vision impairment
Both "rich Jammes" & Kristine Gonzaga are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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