How harmful is taking birth control pills?

Contraceptive pills are also drugs and have certain side effects, so they need to be chosen carefully based on personal circumstances. Common oral contraceptives can be roughly divided into three categories according to the time it takes for their effectiveness to take effect: emergency contraceptives, short-acting contraceptives, and long-acting contraceptives.

Emergency contraceptive pills are effective if taken within 72 hours after sexual intercourse. You should avoid sexual intercourse during the medication period to avoid affecting the efficacy of the pills. The earlier you take the pills, the better the effect. Generally speaking, patients with endocrine diseases, gynecological tumors, those with infrequent menstruation, and women over 35 years old who smoke should not take it. After taking the medicine, you may experience nausea, vomiting, irregular uterine bleeding, menstrual changes, etc., and sometimes it may be complicated by breast pain, dizziness, etc., which usually subside within 24 hours. This type of contraceptive should not be taken for a long time, otherwise it will cause great harm to the body.

Short-acting oral contraceptives are suitable for women without underlying diseases or diabetes. Its advantage is that it is easy to control, and if you want to get pregnant, you can get pregnant soon after stopping the medication. The main side effects include nausea, vomiting, irregular uterine bleeding, early or delayed menstruation, breast tenderness, etc. Symptoms are generally mild and can be reduced by taking the drug with food or before bedtime.

Long-acting oral contraceptives are suitable for women who cannot have an intrauterine device, are unwilling to use other contraceptive methods, and are living with each other for a long time. Its advantages are that it is long-acting, reversible, does not require daily medication, and does not affect sexual life. The disadvantage is that it may cause increased menstrual flow and prolonged menstrual period in some women, and in severe cases it may even cause amenorrhea. Generally, newly married women, women suffering from hypertension, obesity, gynecological tumors and other diseases should not take it.