Birth+Control

Birth Control Pill

Over 100 million women worldwide use the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy. The birth control pill is not only used to prevent pregnancy, but is also be used for a variety of other reasons, such as to regulate menstrual periods, to reduce menstrual cramps, and to treat ovarian cysts and hormonal imbalances. It does not, however, prevent the contraction of sexually transmitted infections. Birth control pills can be composed of just estrogen, just progestin, or a combination of both. These hormones are naturally produced in the ovaries, which then produce your menstrual cycle. The pill works in three main ways. The first is that it prevents ovulation. Secondly, it alters the cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to penetrate the cervix. Thirdly, it inhibits implantation of a fertilized egg, if ovulation occurs, because it alters the endometrial lining. All forms of hormonal contraception must be obtained through a healthcare provider. It is important that every woman discusses her medical history with her doctor before starting, because complications can occur while taking the pill and some people are at a higher risk (The Pill, 2008). **Benefits** The birth control pill is associated with a variety of benefits. It decreases the blood loss and iron deficiency anemia, as a result of lighter periods. It often regulates menstrual periods and decreases menstrual cramps. The pill also reduces the risk of fibrocystic breast cancer, ovarian and endometrial cancers, and ovarian cysts. It also protects against pelvic inflammatory disease, which is a major cause of infertility in women (The Pill, 2008). These benefits often cause women to use the pill, even if not for preventing pregnancy (May, 2010). **Proper Usage** The birth control pill, when taken correctly, is 97-99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Pill packs commonly contain 21 active pills and seven placebo or inactive pills. Users should begin by taking the first active pill and then continue to take a pill everyday at the same time. Taking the pill at the same time is very important because it provides a steady dose of hormones to your body, which increases its effectiveness. You also should not start a new pill cycle late. If you miss an active pill and it is less than 24 hours late, users should immediately take an active pill and continue the pack as usual. If the user misses a pill by 24 hours or misses multiple active pills, within the first week, they should take pills immediately and continue the pack as usual. They should, however, use back-up contraception for seven days. It is not necessary for users to take the inactive pills, because they serve as only a reminder. The pill’s effectiveness can also decrease when users are suffering from diarrhea, vomiting or are taking antibiotics. Users should use back-up birth control during the illness or while on the antibiotics, and for seven days after (The Pill, 2008). There are three common ways to start taking birth control. The first is referred to as Sunday start. This means that you take your first active pill on the first Sunday after your period starts. This starting method requires you to use other forms of contraception until you have taken seven active pills. The second common method is the first day start, which means you take your first active pill on the first day of your period. This method does not require you to use any additional methods of birth control. The third method is the quick start method, which means you take your first pill immediately. This method requires that you also use back-up contraception for seven days (The Pill, 2008). **Side Effects** Birth control can have a variety of side effects, which are usually not harmful. Users may experience spot bleeding, while on active pills. This can range from a small spot on your underwear to something like a normal period. This usually improves as you continue to take additional packs. This also can occur if you do not take your birth control at the same ti me everyday. Another side effect is nausea, which is often not severe enough to cause vomiting. This can often be avoided by taking the pill with a meal. People may also experience breast tenderness, mood swings, fatigue and changes in skin. Some people may also fluctuate in weight, either by losing weight or gaining it (The Pill, 2008). Although it is not common, birth control pills do sometimes increase users’ risk of developing blood clots. These blood clots can cause blockages of blood vessels, which can lead to a decrease of blood flow to vital organs, including the brain, lungs, heart and eyes. If users experience severe abdominal pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, severe headache, numbness or weakness in arms or legs, eye problems, or severe leg pain in calf or thigh, they should immediately seek medical attention. While blood clots are uncommon, they still can occur and smoking is often associated with increasing these risks (The Pill, 2008). **Popularity** As other forms of birth control are developed, there has been a decrease in the use of the birth control pill. In “Pill drops in popularity on one college campus,” it states that increasingly women on college campus are choosing either the birth control patch or the NuvaRing as their forms of birth control. “People nowadays have so much on their plate, it’s hard for them to remember to take a pill every day at the same time.” (pg. 7) This demonstrates that contraception, especially hormonal forms, have adapted t o fit the changing needs of its users and will continue to do so. This could eventually result in the demise of the birth control pill, because these forms are simpler to use. **Social Aspects and Its History** In May of 1960, the FDA approved the most reliable form of birth control ever invented – the pill. It did not just act as a contraceptive though; it became a proxy for wider trends such as the rejection of tradition, the challenge of institutions, and the redefinition of women’s roles. It is believed that the birth control pill has changed the world one life at a time, by giving women more control over their own lives and the new life they create. While the birth control pill cannot be associated as the soul reason for these social changes, it did assist and possibly come about as a result (Stengel, 2010) **Parents and Teens’ Beliefs** Women’s possible use of birth control, especially teens, is often overlooked. This is often associated with parents’ lack of understanding the birth control pill and its effectiveness, as well as their belief in their children. “A majority of parents believe that most teenagers cannot use condoms or the pill correctly, although research suggest that after adjustments for other factors (i.e. experience and relationship status) adolescents rate of adherence to oral contraceptive regimens and rates for pill and condom failure are similar to those in other age groups” (Eisenberg, 2004, pg. 55). Due to this belief, parents are often not properly educating or allowing teens access to the pill. This is a problem because parents have a profound effect on their children’s sexual health. In a study conducted by Whitaker and Miller (2000), it was seen that parent-child discussions had a positive effect on adolescents’ sexual behaviors, which is focused around th e delay of the onset of sex and promoting healthy sexual practices. It does this through providing information to teens, reinforcing parental values and acting as a buffer against peer pressure (pg. 267). **Conclusion** As you can see there are many aspects of the pill, but problems of access, affordability and availability still remain. Due to something called the “conscience clauses,” pharmacists and healthcare providers can refuse to provide patients with the birth control pill if they are morally opposed to the treatments. Also, the sexual education programs do not provide women and men with the information they need to make well-informed decisions related to contraception. It is important to remember that just because women are more in control of their sex lives, by having access to the birth control pill, they are not free of the stigmatization of participating in sex (Gibbs, 2010).


 * References**

Eisenberg, M. E., Bearinger, L. H., Sieving, R. E., Swain, C., & Resnick, M. D. (2004). Parents' Beliefs About Condoms and Oral Contraceptives: Are They Medically Accurate?. //Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health//, 36(2), 50-57. Retrieved from EBSCO//host//. Gibbs, N., Van Dyk, D., & Adams, K. (2010). Love, Sex, Freedom and The Paradox Of the Pill. (Cover story). //Time//, 175(17), 40-47. Retrieved from EBSCO//host//. May, E. (2010). 50 Years on the Pill. //Chronicle of Higher Education//, 56(34), B4-B5. Retrieved from EBSCO//host//. Pill drops in popularity on one college campus. (2006). //Contemporary Sexuality//, 40(4), 7. Retrieved from EBSCO//host//. Stengel, R. (2010). Revolution in a Pill. //Time//, 175(17), 2. Retrieved from EBSCO//host// The Pill (2008). Retrieved from http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/Interactive/bcclass/10_hormonal_methods.htm Whitaker, D. J., Miller, K. S. (2000). Parent-Adolescent Discussions about Sex and Condoms: Impact on Peer Influences of Sexual Risk Behavior. //Journal of Adolescent Research,// 10(15), 251-273.