Whether you are a married woman or not (but are sexually active), you should know a thing or two about birth control. Birth control is a method to prevent pregnancy. There are plenty of pregnancy-preventing methods such as using condoms, cervical cap, diaphragm, monthly cycle, pills, spermicide etc. Birth control pill is a birth control method, in the form of a pill, that includes a combination of estrogen and a progestogen. The medical term is combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP).
History
Birth control pill was first approved as one of contraceptive means back in 1960 in the United States. Margaret Sanger kickstarted the first birth control clinic in Brownsville, Brooklyn. She was an activist of women’s right to choose contraception and initiated the research of a safe and effective oral contraceptive. Together with the help of scientist, Gregory Pincus and investor Katherine McCormick, they accomplished to create a safe, affordable and effective oral contraceptive for women. The idea of developing an oral contraceptive comes from an ancient medical traditions of the descendants of the Aztecs. Birth control pill is one of the most popular contraception used today. It is also considered to be catalyst of sexual revolution in the United States.
How The Pills Work
As mentioned earlier, birth control pills contain hormones estrogen and progestogen. These hormones work together to change the cyclical hormones in a woman’s body to prevent pregnancy, which is the ovulation cycle. They simply stop ovulation. The pills also change the cervical mucus in order to make sperm difficult to go through the cervix. Birth control pills can also change the lining of the womb so the fertilized egg will no be implanted. Furthermore, these pills keep the eggs from leaving the ovaries.
Uses
Beside being a method of preventing, birth control pills are also used for non-contraceptive uses, such as:
- They have been used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS). It is a condition of a high amount of male hormone in women;
- Birth control pills are also used to treat endometriosis. It is a disease in which tissue that normally grows inside of uterus, grows outside of it;
- Studies suggested that the use of birth control pills may help in reducing the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer;
- Some doctors prescribe birth control pills to treat menstrual cramps;
- Birth control pills are used to treat menorrhagia, a condition of excessive menstrual bleeding;
- A therapy for women with hyper athleticism that cause them the absence of menstruation;
- A therapy for women with eating disorder;
- They can be used to reduce bone thinning;
- On a lighter note, birth control pills are often prescribed as a treatment for acne problems.
The Side Effects of Going Off Birth Control Pills
If you stop taking birth control pills after consuming them for some time, there are some side effects that you may suffer. The effects are somewhat different for every woman. Here are the 10 side effects you need to know:
- Zits are probably popping out of nowhere once you stop taking the pills. Stopping birth control pills stimulates testosterone, a hormone that causes breakouts, to go back in the game;
- Some women take birth control pills to help reduce premenstual syndrome, menstrual cramps, and heavy periods. When you stop taking them, it is likely happening again. Some cases showed that the cramps and periods become more severe;
- The set back of birth control pills is they reduce women’s libido. When you decide going off the pills, you may expect a higher sex drive;
- The hormones on the pills help in mood balancing. Once you are off of them, you will go back to experience the typical mood swings.
- Some woman noticed that their breast are bigger since taking birth control pills. However, they will back to the original size as soon as they did not take the pills anymore. Huge bummer, right?;
- You may also notice your breast is more tender than usual and more prone to pain. It is a sign of your ovaries back in the game again;
- Once you stop taking birth control pills, you body will produce more discharge. You will urinate more frequently. Spotting or pain during ovulation might happen as well;
- There is also a case of heavy headaches or migrain and these conditions may last a while;
- Going off birth control pills can mess around with your weight. Some women reported to gain weight, other women reported to loose weight instead.
- Your menstruation cycle probably may not start right away after you go off birth control pills. If you miss your periode within three months, take a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant and then consult with your doctor.
These side effects may happen from one to three months. Try to keep a healthy life style by eating nutritious food and exercising regularly. This will help to reduce the side effects. In case you are still experiencing these side effects within four months, consult with your doctor.