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Using contraception is usually the most reliable choice if you don’t want to get pregnant (that is, apart from celibacy). However, when it comes to health, that cannot be said.
It has several harmful side effects and disrupts natural bodily processes.
On today’s market we can find contraception in various shapes and sizes. Most commonly we know it in the form of pills.
Besides them, there are forms that are injected, inserted as implants, and there are even permanent forms such as tubal ligation, though that is more properly called sterilization.
You’ve surely heard that contraception has many undesirable side effects. Women still often praise it because sometimes it can lessen and delay the menstrual cycle.
But are these few supposed benefits really worth it? Let’s now look at 10 serious adverse effects that hormonal contraception can pose.
1. Increases the risk of blood clots
The formation of blood clots is a known adverse effect of taking contraception. Every year 7 out of 10,000 women have bad experiences with them. Contraception actually triples the risk of their occurrence.
„If you don’t have cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or if you don’t smoke, this increased risk should not be too serious.“ says Dr. Keder
However, if you have any symptoms of a blood clot, such as chest pain or swollen legs, stop taking contraception immediately and consult your doctor.
2. Affects the intensity of bleeding
This is one of the most common side effects of taking hormonal contraception.
According to experts, synthetic hormones cause the endometrium to thin and become fragile. It is therefore more prone to tearing and wear.
Studies have confirmed that the longer you use contraception, the more you bleed during menstruation.
3. Changes your mood
Because contraception affects your hormone levels, your mood changes as a result.
If you take it, you are twice as likely to suffer from depression than women who do not use contraception.
As reported by research from the Alfred Psychiatric Research Centre in Australia:
„Some emotional side effects can be alleviated by taking a different form of the pill.“
Therefore, if you notice signs of depression, don’t worry and tell your gynecologist about it.
Try to find another solution with them besides taking hormonal contraception.
4. Affects breast milk production
This effect should be especially considered by women who are breastfeeding or planning to do so.
Contraceptive drugs reduce breast milk production by up to 5%. Progestin-only pills do not affect lactation if you take them at the exact same time every day.
Other types of drugs, however, have a worse impact on breast milk production.
5. Worsens premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Every woman has experienced melancholy feelings before her period at least once.
The most common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome include headaches, water retention, breast tenderness, nausea and mood changes.
When taking contraception, these symptoms can appear randomly and more frequently.
6. Decreases libido (sexual desire)
Oral contraception affects testosterone levels (not only men, but women also produce it) in two ways.
First, it suppresses ovarian function, which stops the production of testosterone.
Second, the liver produces sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG), which binds sex hormones (including testosterone).
„While oral contraception lowers testosterone levels in all women, it reduces sexual desire only in some.“ says Dr. Keder.
If you have more serious issues related to these factors, discuss them with your gynecologist.
7. Destroys good bacteria in the digestive system
Contraceptive pills essentially destroy beneficial bacteria in the gut, making you more susceptible to yeast overgrowth, reduced immunity and more frequent infections.
If you have a healthy digestive system, good bacteria and yeasts (microflora) thrive in your intestines and help you digest food, protect against disease, absorb and produce vital substances.
8. Disrupts the ovulation process
Synthetic hormones in contraception regulate the release of certain hormones in the body that prevent ovulation. The whole process therefore does not occur naturally.
Successful conception requires that an egg matures. Contraception prevents the maturation of eggs after ovulation.
During this phase, the ovaries can forget how to perform their function because they do not receive the signal with the right hormone at the right time during the menstrual cycle.
Problems conceiving can then occur long after stopping hormonal contraception.
9. Changes the consistency of cervical mucus
It has been proven that contraception changes the thickness of cervical mucus, which prevents sperm from fertilizing the egg.¨
The correct mucus consistency is important for conception because it helps sperm move from the vagina to the cervix and fertilize the egg.
Similar to the previous point, difficulties conceiving can occur even after stopping contraception.
10. Damages the uterine lining
Contraceptive pills change the uterine lining to make it inhospitable to the implantation of a fertilized egg.
By regulating estrogen and progesterone levels in the body, synthetic hormones prevent the building of a healthy uterine lining.
Many women start taking hormonal contraception at a very young age and do not stop until they try to get pregnant.
As the saying goes: „Contraception slows the biological clock until it forgets that it’s even ticking.“
Women often forget that they are playing with their fertility.
Conclusion
The use of hormonal contraception should be every woman’s free decision. However, carefully consider all the adverse effects of synthetic hormones on your health.
Although there are many contraceptive alternatives on the market today, choosing the right one for you is very important and should not be underestimated.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, consult your gynecologist.
