standing on the checkout line in the grocery store, I always am amused by the unpleasant medical headlines in the feminine magazines. Today was "10 things your gynecologist does not know you can kill you" (for registration, I know all the things that listed). In fact, however, the opposite is more often true: there are some basic facts that my patients do not know - especially about birth control - which could improve their lives. I get a handful of questions almost daily about "the pill" - most are misconceptions that exist by ages and, unfortunately, caused the woman to unnecessarily avoid effective contraception. Here are some facts that routinely share with my patients:
. As the pill affects your hormones When I start women in the pill, they frequently request a pill that does not "ruin" (sometimes the tongue is more colorful) their hormones. In fact, this is the basis for the way the pill really works. The pill maintains estrogen and progesterone in a stationary state, which interrupts feedback between ovary and brain, preventing ovulation. I think most women really mean they do not want a pill that will make them feel more emotional. In fact, the pill is technically one of the best treatments for PMS because it prevents the cyclical wave of hormones before the cycle. Of course, all women are unique in how their bodies react to different medicines. I see women who feel less emotional in a brand or combination of tablets than the other. Do not write a whole class of drugs simply because a brand made you feel a bit off - it may be just a matter of attempt and error to find the best option for your body chemistry.
. For some women, the pill can prevent periods completely As the pill provides a low stable state of hormones to your body, in addition to preventing ovulation, it also prevents the tissue from fit into the lining of the uterus. This is great because it leads to lighter and less healing periods. Sometimes when women are in the pill for a long time, they really will not have a period. While this can cause meaningful concern for some patients (which is good doctor to speak so "seriously migrate them"), medically it is perfectly fine. The lack of a period in which you are in the pill does not mean that all the fabric is recovering inside, it is only that over time the coating becomes so thin that there is no fabric to pour.
Fastest Fat Loss Pill - All About 'The Pill'
. The pill does not cause cancer The pill really reduces the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer and, for the average risk woman, does not increase the risk of breast cancer.
. The pill does not cause weight gain The current formulations of the birth control pill are not associated with weight gain. The original birth control pill was up to 5 times the current dose and had some very unpleasant side effects, including weight gain, but our current low dose regimens have not been shown to have any effect on weight. What often happens is that women get the pill over time they go to college that is often a time that are gaining weight for other reasons.
. The pill has side effects When starting the pill, common side effects include nausea and irregular bleeding. These usually resolve in 2-3 months. In rare cases, the pill can also cause serious side effects such as stroke or blood clots that can travel to their lungs. This is common forage for scary TV suits and commercials. Fortunately, in the healthy average, no smoking woman, these risks are extremely low (~ 10 / 100,000). It is also important to remember that these same risks are 10 times higher in pregnancy than when taking the pill.
Is the pill the best contraceptive option for everyone? Of course not, but it is highly effective, cheap and easy to use. If it is the best option for a patient, I hate to see a woman who does not use pill due to misinformation. I would encourage every woman to discuss your contraceptive options with your provider.
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