Nowadays, many women decide to use hormonal methods to control their cycles and prevent pregnancy. This type of protection against undesired pregnancies is usually considered very safe, but it’s not for everyone.
Before you start using birth control pills, you should consult a doctor. It is very important for a healthcare professional to review your medical history and determine whether or not birth control pills are right for you. By visiting a doctor’s office, you will have a chance to discuss the medication in-depth and review the short-term and long-term effects of birth control pills. Please be reassured that if the pills end up not working out for you, it is very easy to switch methods.
Read more about birth control pills, their shelf life, and the short-term and long-term effects of birth control.
What are Birth Control Pills?
You have probably already heard about the advantages and side effects of birth control pills. However, have you ever heard about the way they work to prevent pregnancy? Or the way they can improve periods by decreasing bleeding and cramping?
Birth control pills are formally known as oral contraceptives whose main role is to prevent unwanted pregnancies:
- Birth control pills contain the hormones progesterone and estrogen. By taking a pill every day, it prevents the body from having fluctuations in these hormones. When the hormones fluctuate daily as part of a normal menstrual cycle, it can trigger things like period cramps, mood swings (think PMS or PMDD), and heavy bleeding. The main way birth control pills prevent pregnancy is by preventing ovulation or the release of an egg from ovarian follicles.
- Contraceptive pills also affect the thickening of cervical mucus and serve as a barrier to sperm. This way, fertilization of the ovum cannot occur, and conception will not occur, even if there is ovulation.
- Generally, pills fail to protect from pregnancy in only 1% of cases. Remember – this risk is very low and overall depends on how consistently or properly they are used!
In the United States, birth control pills were approved in the 1960s and are among the most popular forms of protection for women around the world today.
They are usually used in 28-day cycles, which means that the tablets are used for 21 days with a seven-day break. Some newer pills are used for 24 days with only a 4-day break.
Whichever variant of this pill you decide on, always consult your doctor, who will further explain and instruct you on the right choice of the contraceptive pill for your body.
If you are looking to obtain birth control in Miami, we recommend that you seek the advice of Dr. Bedell. Call us to schedule an appointment or consultation today!
How Long Does It Take For Birth Control To Work?
If you start birth control pills within 7 days of a normal period and have not had intercourse, they are effective right away. Very often, however, doctors will advise you to also use a backup method of contraception (like condoms) for the first week that you are taking birth control pills. It should be noted that birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), so the use of condoms is important to remember.
It is also important to remember to take your pills every day! They should be taken at roughly the same time and with food if you experience nausea. It may be helpful to set a daily alarm reminder on your mobile device so you are less likely to forget.
Sometimes, you may forget to take the pill altogether. It’s not a huge problem if you remember to take it in the first 12 hours. But if more time passes, you should re-read the instructions. If you are still unsure what to do, make sure to consult with your doctor. In these cases, it is usually advisable to use additional contraceptives like condoms until the end of that cycle of birth control pills.
Do Birth Control Pills Have An Expiration Date?
Do birth control pills expire? Of course!
Like any medicine, birth control pills have their own shelf life, and it is indicated on each new pack of pills. After the expiration date, their effect is reduced, and the risk of pregnancy is higher.
When you get a prescription from your doctor and when you buy a new box of pills, check the expiration date on the packaging.
Although we know that you want to be safe and do not want to run out of pills when needed, it may not be the best solution to stock up on them. Even then, most drugs expire in the period from one to five years, meaning that they won’t expire that fast.
Effects of Birth Control
When using medications that contain hormones, such as birth control pills, side effects are common. The good news though is that side effects are typically mild and temporary.
There are short-term side effects that disappear usually in the first three months of taking the medication as the body adjusts, and these can be:
- Mood changes
- Weight gain
- Nausea
- Sensitive breasts
- Headaches
- Breakthrough bleeding
Hormonal contraception is not only used to prevent pregnancy but can also be used as part of therapy for endometriosis, painful periods, heavy periods, or menopausal symptoms in some cases.
Overall, there are no significant side effects if you use birth control pills for many years. There is no effect on your fertility or your ability to get pregnant in the future. This is great news! One thing to consider about using birth control pills long-term is if you develop any new medical conditions with age. For example, if you have been taking birth control pills since you were a teenager and now you have a new diagnosis of diabetes or high blood pressure, it may not be a good idea to continue birth control pills and other methods may need to be considered.
Birth control pills are not for everyone as they are not considered safe in certain situations or medical conditions. You should stop using the pill and switch to other types of contraception if you:
- Are over age 35 and are a smoker
- Have migraines with aura
- Have high blood pressure
- Have an increased BMI
- Have had cancer
- Have had a blood clot
- Are taking medicines that are not compatible with hormone therapy
- Have diabetes and its complications
- Are preparing for surgery and need to rest for a long time
- Have had hepatitis
- Have chest pain
According to research, birth control pills can increase the risk of breast and cervical cancer and reduce the risk of ovarian, colorectal, and endometrial cancer. Don’t worry! While the data on birth control pills causing breast and cervical cancer varies, it is overall accepted that these risks are small or low.
It is necessary to tell your doctor before you start using birth control pills if you:
- Have depression
- Use other medications
- Have a chronic illness or condition (high blood pressure, diabetes, hepatitis, epilepsy, etc.)
- Have recently given birth and are breastfeeding
- Have had an abortion or miscarriage
- Are taking any herbal remedies that reduce the effects of hormone therapy
- Have a history of cancer of any type
Other Forms of Contraception
While most patients are good candidates to take birth control pills, they are certainly not for everyone. If you are not a candidate for birth control pills, you should consider other contraception options such as:
- Vaginal ring (NuvaRing or Annovera)
- Contraceptive shots (Depo Provera)
- Contraceptive patch
- Intrauterine devices (Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, Skyla, Paragard, etc)
- Contraceptive implants (Nexplanon)
- Progesterone-only birth control pills
- Condoms
Bottom Line
Most women tolerate birth control pills well, and there are no risks or consequences in the long run. However, it is always necessary to consult your doctor and see if this type of contraception is for you.
Also, you should know and always look at the expiration date of medications. Birth control medications can also expire, and expired birth control pills should not be used but disposed of following regulations.
Need More Info? We’re Here!
If you’d like to learn more about birth control pills and other contraceptive options, know that our team of experienced professionals is always ready to help you find the most suitable option. Feel free to schedule an appointment with us to get started.
