Contraception drugs: Advantages, negative effects and myths

Contraception drugs are a boon for anybody making an attempt to keep away from undesirable pregnancies. They’ve grow to be an integral a part of reproductive well being for tens of millions of individuals the world over. These tiny drugs are an effective way to stop unplanned pregnancies, regulate menstrual cycles, and even handle sure well being situations. Whereas contraception drugs are used extensively, there are lots of myths and confusion round their use. From advantages to negative effects to dangers, right here’s every thing it’s good to learn about contraception drugs.

What are contraception drugs?

Contraception drugs or oral contraceptives are medicines that include artificial hormones, altering the way in which your physique works and stopping being pregnant. It helps keep away from being pregnant by inhibiting ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to stop sperm from reaching the egg, and thinning the uterine lining to stop implantation, explains Dr Vaishali Sharma.

There are two sorts of contraception drugs: mixture drugs, which include each estrogen and progestin and the opposite is mini-pills that solely include progestin. They’re believed to be 99 p.c efficient in stopping being pregnant, and 93 p.c in case somebody forgets to take the capsule.

Additionally Learn: Can contraception drugs have an effect on your intercourse drive?

What are the advantages of contraception drugs?

Hormonal contraception drugs may also help stop undesirable being pregnant, however listed here are the opposite well being advantages of those drugs:

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• Regulates menstrual cycle
• Reduces ovarian cysts
• Alleviates uterine most cancers threat
• Helps do away with hormonal pimples
• Relieves PMS signs
• Manages endometriosis
• Helps management menstrual hygiene
• Makes intervals much less painful

What are the dangers of contraception drugs?

Whereas contraception drugs are thought of secure and efficient, there are specific dangers and negative effects o  these drugs that it is best to know:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Breast tenderness
• Irregular bleeding

Extra severe problems of contraception drugs embody:

• Blood clots
• Coronary heart assault
• Stroke
• Sure sorts of most cancers

These problems are extra frequent in folks with particular elements similar to smoking, weight problems, or a historical past of blood clots.

What are the long-term results of contraception drugs?

The long-term results of those drugs might be each useful and regarding. On one hand, they’ve been proven to scale back the danger of ovarian and endometrial cancers, alleviate menstrual cramps and pimples, and regulate menstrual cycles. However, extended use might enhance the danger of sure well being points similar to coronary heart problems, liver tumors, and temper modifications, as per the knowledgeable.

Common use of oral contraceptives have additionally been related to a better threat of breast most cancers by a research revealed within the American Society of Preventive Oncology. One other research within the Lancet discovered that the upper the usage of oral contraceptive, the upper the danger of creating cervical most cancers. In brief, they are often useful for brief time period use however long run use of oral contraceptives might result in problems.

Additionally Learn: Contraception drugs usually are not as secure as we predict they’re. Right here’s why

Are there any alternate options to contraception drugs?

Do you not want contraception drugs? In case your reply isn’t any, there are a number of various contraceptive strategies on the market that you may attempt. Barrier strategies similar to condoms and diaphragms, hormonal strategies just like the contraceptive patch, ring, or injection, intrauterine gadgets (IUDs), and fertility awareness-based strategies. Whereas there are a number of choices, it is best to at all times seek the advice of a healthcare supplier to find out probably the most appropriate methodology primarily based on particular person wants and preferences.

Contraception drugs vs morning-after drugs: What’s the distinction?

Whereas each contraception drugs and morning-after drugs are used to stop being pregnant, they serve totally different functions and include totally different hormones. They are often taken day by day to stop being pregnant, whereas morning-after drugs, also called emergency contraception, are taken after unprotected intercourse to scale back the danger of being pregnant. Moreover, whereas contraception drugs include artificial hormones, morning-after drugs sometimes include increased doses of progestin or a mixture of hormones.

Can common contraception drugs be used as emergency contraception?

Common contraception drugs can be utilized as emergency contraception, despite the fact that they don’t seem to be designed for this goal. The preferred and customary routine really useful is taking a mixture of various contraceptive drugs that include better dosages of each progestin and oestrogen inside 72 hours of unprotected sexual exercise. Relating to the correct quantity and timing of emergency contraception, it’s crucial to get advise from a healthcare emergency, says the knowledgeable.

Do contraception drugs work for PCOS?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a standard hormone drawback in girls that impacts their ovaries, the feminine reproductive organ that make eggs and the place infants develop. Contraception drugs or oral contraceptives are the most typical and efficient methods for managing signs of PCOS. Oral contraceptive drugs might assist handle the signs of PCOS, discovered a research revealed within the Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences.

The knowledgeable says that they may also help regulate menstrual cycles, decreasing androgen ranges and alleviate signs similar to pimples and hirsutism (irregular hair development on a girl’s physique or face). Hormonal imbalance is a symptom and a reason for PCOS. Taking oral contraceptives may also help handle the signs of PCOS and enhance total reproductive well being by suppressing ovulation and stabilising hormone ranges. Nevertheless, it’s essential to debate the dangers and advantages of contraception drugs with a healthcare supplier, particularly for ladies with an underlying situation.

Additionally Learn: Girls with PCOS can cut back kind 2 diabetes threat with contraceptive drugs: Research

Widespread myths round contraception drugs

Whereas utilizing contraception drugs is frequent, listed here are some frequent myths and misconceptions related to it that it is best to cease believing:

Delusion 1: Contraception drugs trigger weight achieve

Truth: Whereas some people might expertise sure weight modifications whereas taking contraception drugs, it isn’t a common facet impact. There are a number of different elements that have an effect on weight achieve, together with your metabolism and life-style habits.

Delusion 2: They enhance infertility threat

Truth: The frequent perception that the usage of contraception drugs can result in delays or negatively impression fertility is totally false. There isn’t any proof to counsel that these drugs result in infertility.

Delusion 3: Contraception drugs supply safety towards sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Truth: Contraception drugs don’t and can’t defend you towards STIs. For the unversed, STIs might be brought on by an infection with sure micro organism, viruses, or different microorganisms that may be handed from one individual to a different by means of semen, blood, vaginal fluids, and different bodily fluids. It’s important to make use of condoms or different barrier strategies that assist cut back the danger of STIs.

Delusion 4: Contraception drugs are one hundred pc efficient

Truth: Whereas they’re extremely efficient when used appropriately, no contraceptive methodology is one hundred pc foolproof. It’s important to make use of them constantly and has directed to maximise effectiveness.

Delusion 5: They solely stop being pregnant

Whereas these drugs are primarily used to stop being pregnant, additionally they supply different well being advantages, similar to regulating menstrual cycles and decreasing the danger of sure cancers.

Conclusion

Contraception drugs are a handy and efficient option to stop being pregnant and handle sure well being situations. After they include dangers and negative effects, their advantages usually outweigh the potential drawbacks. Figuring out the dangers and advantages of how contraception capsule works, people can take management of their reproductive well being and make decisions that align with their wants and references.