Are birth control pills bad for your liver?

Birth control pills are a widely popular contraceptive method used by women all around the world. Given their ease of use and high effectiveness, they have become one of the most preferred methods of contraception. However, there have been concerns raised in recent years about whether or not birth control pills can be bad for your liver.

The Science Behind Birth Control Pills

Before we dive into the question at hand, it’s essential to first understand how birth control pills work. Hormonal contraceptives typically contain synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone hormones that occur naturally in female bodies. These synthetic hormones prevent ovulation, which is when an egg is released from the ovaries during a menstrual cycle.

In addition to preventing pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, these hormonal contraceptives also alter the cervical mucus composition to make it more difficult for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg. Additionally, they thin out the uterine lining making implantation more challenging even if fertilization happens.

How Do Birth Control Pills Affect Your Liver?

Now that we’ve established what birth control pills are let’s explore precisely how they affect your liver- if at all!

Can Birth Control Pills Damage Your Liver?

The short answer: No! One could confidently claim this as long as someone doesn’t already suffer from chronic liver failure or severe liver disease before using oral contraceptives – then maybe don’t use them.

There has been no proven evidence over time linking moderate doses of hormonal therapies (including oral tablets) with any significant threat to an otherwise healthy adult’s hepatic function! Keep scrolling down…

So Why The Rumors About Damages On The Liver Linked To Birth Control Tablets?

Well you know how word-of-mouth works- seemingly harmless rumors quickly transforms into hard-to-believe ‘facts,’ although there might be a grain of truth behind them!

This hypothesis arose due to the potential estradiol and progestin hormones contents in birth control pills. One of the primary metabolites detected during a series of clinical trials was estrogenic-17a-dione, also known as EAD.

The significance of this is that following metabolism by hepatic enzymes taking place within hepatocytes (the liver cells), hormonal therapies could create oxidative stress on liver functions where side effects such as inflammatory cell infiltration or mild reversible cholestasis can happen upon long-term usage!

However, for most women who use oral contraceptives without any preexisting liver disease conditions, no significant impact has been discovered yet!

Can you sense a pattern here?

Birth Control Pills And Liver Review Studies

To help put your mind at ease let’s talk about some recent research findings regarding birth control pill usage and their relationship with liver health.

In 2016, Researchers undertook an investigation into more than 1600 Danish Women. The aim was to examine whether there is indeed an association between oral contraceptive intake and subsequent risk factors related to adverse hepatic outcomes. The results were quite reassuring; they showed that the use of oral contraceptives does not appear linked with any increased danger concerning chronic hepatitis or other severe diseases associated with prolonged medication consumption! Cheer up sister!

Another year-long study analyzing over two thousand British opioid users found absolutely zero increase in sudden deaths due to toxicity from common drugs like methadone & diazepam among females using combined hormone contraception.

A three-year randomised control trial consisting of approximately four hundred individuals who were affected severely by menstrual problems demonstrated how easy it gets even if its initially hard starting when it comes to newly initiated depot medroxyprogesterone acetate users!

One caveat though: typical risks surrounding blood clotting might still stand should patients suffer thrombophilia either genetically acquired or relatively new kind -Antiphospholipid antibodies-, which may pose life-threatening consequences!

Conclusion

Overall, it’s safe to say that there are no substantial risks associated with using birth control pills when it comes to liver damage or increased risk of hepatic disease in women with otherwise normal liver function. While some concern may have told at first as usual with anything new- such as breakthrough bleeding, fluid retention or mood swings; but these minor and reversible reactions usually occur within the initial several cycles. Every woman’s body is different so always consult your doctor before starting a particular contraceptive treatment.

As long-term usage does not trigger pre-existing liver complications: good news for us! You can practice social & emotional freedom for years without worrying about adverse effects on our livers – woo-hoo!

In conclusion: Birth Control Pills? Keep them coming!

PSA Disclaimer – Read this:
This article is not meant to substitute medical advice from a professional health-care provider or pharmacist. It’s essential first consulting your provider regarding any gynecologic concerns you might have in regards hormonal contraceptives intake especially if underlying disease conditions already exist
.

Random Posts