Hello to my precious blog article readers, I just want to share this to you, this great article about pills that I read from the forum that I've always visited everyday. And I hope you guys that this will help not for me, for you but all of us.
Women choose to take oral contraceptives for many reasons besides birth control - to reduce the number of periods they have per year, for example, or to lessen cramps during menstruation. And so I was surprised recently to meet a young woman who had disabling pain from her cramps every period but did not want anything to do with the pill.
I certainly understand the challenge of taking a pill every day, but wondered if her fear of this medicine stemmed more from the bad rap estrogen has gotten in the media of late. It's worth a moment to look at the pros and cons of the pill, to help you choose what's best for you.
Pros:
Pregnancy prevention. When taken exactly as prescribed, the pill can offer 99 percent protection. Notably, the "Lo" versions - which provide only 20 micrograms (mcg) of estrogen - are 98 percent effective when used in perfect accordance with directions.
Cycle predictability. You may even opt for an "extended" cycle formulation that allows you to have just one period every three months.
Less painful cramps. Especially when ibuprofen is not adequate.
Less bleeding. The pill is even used as a treatment for women with anemia because it limits the growth of the endometrial layer that is shed during each period.
Decreased risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers.
Decreased problems with acne.
Cons:
Inconvenient. The pill needs to be taken at the same time, every day.
Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These include herpes, HIV, and chlamydia.
Increased risk for some cancers. It does not prevent cervical or breast cancers-and may even increase their risk.
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Estrogen is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes.
Liver cysts. The pill is associated with cysts in the liver that may bleed.
The problems listed here may sound scary, but let's put them into perspective.
Heart attacks, clots, and strokes are much more likely if you smoke, are older, or have a family history of these events. For example, I generally tell women with a family history of blood clots or PEs (pulmonary embolus - blood clot in the lung) that they really shouldn't opt for the pill.
Cervical cancer is associated with an STI called HPV (human papillomavirus), which we can now vaccinate against and easily look for in precancerous stages with a Pap smear.
Breast cancer is a risk for all women and is associated with lifelong estrogen exposure and age. This risk is increased during pill use but is very low before age 35. And the increased risk of breast cancer from using the pill dwindles within 10 years after stopping the pill.
Liver cysts or hepatomas. I have yet to see a liver cyst or hepatoma linked solely to the use of the pill.
The greatest info associated with the Pill is weight gain. Yes, you may put on a few extra pounds over the first year, but this weight will stabilize - and is a lot less than you might gain with an unintended pregnancy.
0 comments
Post a Comment