Considering how to get a prescription for birth control pills? First, there are many forms of birth control and pills typically come in 2 types – combination pills that contain a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin and the minipills which only contain the hormone progestin. It’s good to know the benefits, but you should also consider the potential Side Effects of Birth Control Pills before you decide to take them for your contraceptive needs:
The Effectiveness of Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are one of the most effective kinds of birth control. They can have an efficacy of up to 99.9%. Combination pills tend to have a better success rate than mini-pills which only have a success rate of about 95%, which is still a high number.
Oral Contraceptives May Improve Acne in Women
Birth control pills have been prescribed by dermatologists to treat acne for decades now. Although a number of options can be used to treat acne, there are 3 pills that have been approved by the FDA for prescription as a way to treat acne for women who are also in need of contraception. Ortho Tri-Cyclen, YAZ and Estrostep are the pills that the FDA have approved to be used for making acne better in women.
Better Menstruation
Birth control pills help in having shorter and lighter periods which are more regular than usual. Menstrual cramps are a common feature during periods, and birth control is known to relive menstrual cramps substantially, thus making period less painful.
Lower Risk of Ovarian and Uterine Cancer
It depends which type of birth control pill you use, but they can reduce the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer in women. They are also effective in reducing the pain and bleeding that is generally associated with endometriosis and fibroids. Endometriosis is the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the womb which may cause pelvic pain during menstruation. This can be reduced using birth control pills.
Treating PMS
Birth control pills have been used to treat symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in women.
Cons of Birth Control Pills:
Heart Attacks are One of the Potential Side Effects of Birth Control Pills
All combination pills are known to raise the risks of blood clotting, stroke and heart attacks slightly. This is a risk that women have to face when deciding to take birth control pills. This risk is aggravated further if the subject is a smoker above the age of 35.
Breast Tenderness
Birth control can cause breast tenderness in women. This generally improves over the course of a few weeks of using pills, but if the tenderness and pain persists, it is advisable to see a doctor.
Nausea
Nausea is one of the most common Side Effects of Birth Control Pills among some women who are taking the pill for the first time. Nausea mostly subsides over a short period of time, but if it persists, it is better to seek medical help. Taking a pill with food or before bedtime can reduce the chances of nausea occurring
Decreased Sex Drive
The hormones in these pills can sometimes lead to a reduction in sex drive, thus affecting your sex life.
Missed Periods
It can happen that even while being on a proper pill schedule, you may miss a period or a period might be skipped. There are many factors that influence this, but it is recommended that you take a pregnancy test before starting on the next schedule of pills.
