Are Birth Control Pills Bad For You?
Also Known As: Oral contraceptive pill
Short answer
In some cases, birth control pills may be bad for you. Each pill contains a dosage of hormones designed to chemically alter the levels in your own body—and everyone reacts to those changes differently.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Believe it or not, birth control pills have been around for well over 50 years now. The oral contraceptive is one of the most popular forms of birth control; it’s currently used by an estimated 100 million women worldwide, with about 12 million users right here in the United States.
So with such widespread use over a half-century span, birth control pills must be safe, right?
Somewhat. But before we get into that explanation, it’s important to understand how birth control pills really work. While there are many different kinds, most pills contain two hormones: estrogen and progestin. The hormones in the pill interact with those in your body, causing biological changes that help prevent pregnancy. Primarily, the hormone fluctuation prevents your eggs from leaving your ovaries. It also makes your cervical mucus thicker, which is an additional safeguard to help keep sperm from getting to your eggs.
Birth control pills also cause other changes in your body, which are different for virtually everyone. Some of these changes are positive—women taking the pill may experience fewer acne breakouts, lighter periods, less cramping, relief from menstrual migraines and even a reduced risk of ovarian cancer. However, there are also some risks. Some women experience a reduced sex drive, breakthrough bleeding, severe mood swings, increased risks for certain types of cancer and blood clots.
Although blood clots are extremely rare, they do happen. An estimated 7 in 10,000 women experience blood clots every year, and taking birth control pills triples your odds. Those are some scary numbers, but there are precautions you can take to reduce your risk.
First, consult your physician before taking any form of birth control pill. Certain conditions and lifestyle choices can make you more prone to clotting—high blood pressure, migraines, diabetes and smoking cigarettes. Your physician will be able to evaluate your risk factors and make the best recommendations for your body.
Secondly, make sure you know your family history. You might not have any of the conditions listed above, but if high blood pressure, diabetes or certain clotting disorders run in your family, it’s important for your physician to know that.
Finally, know the symptoms of a clot. If you begin experiencing shortness of breath, chest pains, leg pain/warmth, redness, swelling or your begin coughing up blood, seek medical attention immediately.
Possible short-term side effects
- breakthrough bleeding
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nausea
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breast tenderness
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blood clot
Possible long-term side effects
- increases risk of liver cancer
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increases risk of cervical cancer
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- helps prevent pregnancy
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alleviates menstrual cramping
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lightens periods
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helps guard against pelvic inflammatory disease
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reduces acne
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reduces risk of endrometrial/ovarian cancer
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