Are you using birth control pills as a method of family planning? Or are you thinking about it? Although they are a very effective method, it is very important that you are fully informed about these pills, how they affect the body, and what to be careful about when using them. So today we will talk about this.
What are these family planning pills?
Simply put, these are a type of pill that contains hormones. The specific type of pill we're talking about in this article contains two types of female hormones , estrogen and progestin . The main function of these pills is to prevent pregnancy.
How does that happen? Imagine, every month a woman's body releases an egg from an ovary. We call this ovulation. In order for pregnancy to occur, this egg must join with a sperm. So the hormones in these pills stop your body from ovulating, that is, releasing an egg . Since there is no egg, there is no way for pregnancy to occur. In medical terms, we call this oral contraceptives.
In addition to preventing pregnancy, doctors may sometimes prescribe these pills for other hormone-related problems.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
This is the most important part. These pills are not for everyone. Therefore, it is essential to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. If you have any of the following conditions or have had them in your history, be sure to inform your doctor about them.
| Medical condition/risk factor | Reason to be concerned |
|---|---|
| Blood vessel disease, history of blood clots, or stroke | These pills may slightly increase the risk of blood clots. |
| Breast, cervical, uterine, ovarian, or liver cancer | Hormones can influence the growth of some types of cancer. |
| High Blood Pressure | The pills can further raise blood pressure. |
| Diabetes, high cholesterol or triglycerides | These conditions increase the risk of heart disease, and the pills may also have a minor effect. |
| Heart disease, a history of heart attack, or heart valve problems | Extreme caution should be exercised when prescribing these pills to heart patients. |
| Migraine, especially the type that comes with visual disturbances | Sometimes migraines may worsen or the risk of stroke may increase. |
| Liver disease, kidney disease, or gallbladder disease | This organ affects the process of removing hormones from the body. |
| If you are a smoker (especially if you are over 35 years old) | This is a very serious risk factor, greatly increasing the risk of blood clots. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | These pills are not suitable for use in such cases. |
| Conditions such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Protein C/S deficiency | The risk of blood clots is high when these conditions are present. |
If you have any of these things, this type of pill may not be right for you. Therefore, it is very important for your own safety to talk to your doctor without hiding anything .
How to use these pills correctly?
This is very simple, but it is something that needs to be done with discipline.
- Take the pill at the same time every day: As a habit, take the pill at the same time every day . It's a good idea to set an alarm on your phone to remind you.
- In order on the pack: Take the pills in the order marked with the dates and arrows on the pill pack.
- With food: Some people may experience nausea after taking these pills. To reduce this, you can take the pill with or after a meal.
- What if you miss a pill?: If you forget to take a pill, check the instructions that come with your medicine pack. Usually, if you miss one pill, you are told to take it as soon as you remember and take the next pill at the scheduled time. However, if you miss more than one pill, their effectiveness may be reduced. In such cases, it is safer to use another form of birth control, such as condoms, until your next period. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
Attention: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others.
Other medications that may interact with these pills
If you are taking these pills, you should also be careful about the other medications you are taking. Some medications can reduce the effectiveness of these pills or increase side effects.
It is strongly advised not to use these pills with the following medications:
- Dasabuvir; ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir
- Ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir
In addition, many other medications can interact with these pills. Some examples are:
- Some antibiotics , especially those used to treat tuberculosis, such as rifampin.
- Medicines for epilepsy (e.g. phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin).
- Some medications used to treat HIV/AIDS (e.g. ritonavir).
- Herbal products like St. John's Wort .
- Antifungals (e.g. griseofulvin).
- Some medications taken for diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, herbal products, and painkillers) . Also, be sure to inform your doctor about your smoking and alcohol use.
Things to consider when using pills
Smoking and risk
Very important: If you smoke while taking these pills, your risk of blood clots and stroke is much higher. This risk is especially high if you are over 35 years old. Therefore, we strongly advise you to completely avoid smoking if you are taking this medicine.
Other important points
- Scheduled Tests: While taking these pills, attend scheduled tests (e.g., blood pressure check, breast exam, Pap smear) as directed by your doctor.
- Suspected pregnancy: If you have even the slightest suspicion that you are pregnant, stop taking the pill immediately and see a doctor.
- Swelling: Sometimes these pills can cause your body to retain water, causing your fingers, hands, and feet to swell. If you feel this way, tell your doctor .
- Sun sensitivity: Your skin may be a little sensitive to sunlight while taking these pills. Therefore, it is a good idea to use sunscreen and wear clothing that covers your body when going out in the sun.
- No protection against sexually transmitted diseases: Keep this in mind. These pills only protect you from pregnancy. They do not protect you from HIV (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). You must use a barrier method such as a condom.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, these pills can cause some side effects. Most of them are not serious and go away as the body gets used to the medicine. However, there are some symptoms that we should be especially aware of.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Symptoms of a blood clot | Leg pain, swelling, warmth, difficulty breathing, chest tightness. |
| Symptoms of a Stroke | Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, confusion, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow/brown urine, yellowing of the eyes/skin. |
| Other serious symptoms | Increased blood pressure, new or worsening migraines, depression, abnormal vaginal discharge. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Breast pain | Pain or tightness in the breasts. |
| Irregular menstruation | Slight spotting between menstrual cycles. This is normal in the first few months. |
| Skin discoloration | Dark spots on the face or sun-exposed skin. |
Take-Home Message
- Family planning pills are a very effective way to prevent pregnancy, but only if used correctly and at the same time every day .
- Before starting these pills, tell your doctor about your complete health history and all other medications you are taking .
- If you are taking these pills, avoid smoking completely . It is very dangerous, especially if you are over 35.
- These pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV . A method such as a condom is required for that.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as severe headache, chest pain, or leg swelling, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you have any problems or concerns, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor.
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