Is taking birth control pills continuously safe?
The world is full of surprises, and so is our body. We might want to plan ahead, but the unpredictability of life has shown repeatedly that we need backup plans for almost everything. A woman’s menstrual cycle is one such unpredictable event in our lives. Birth control pills are a saving grace for dealing with this unpredictability. But lately, there have been concerns about taking birth control pills continuously without breaks as health experts debate whether it’s entirely safe or not.
Continuous Use: What Does It Mean?
Before diving into the depths of safety concerns associated with continuous use of birth control pills, let’s first understand what it means?
Continuous use involves taking active hormone-containing pill packs without any break in between them. Normally women take 3 weeks worth (21 days) time span of their active hormonal contraceptive, followed by one week off (inert/placebo). During that inactive fourth-week duration when you’re not consuming the hormones through your oral contraceptives ‘pill placebo’, your ovary function gain its own level, giving rise to your period.
But If someone takes new pack directly after your last without giving a gap “Skipping placebos” then they could continue bleeding at different severity throughout an extended length than normal.
Why Do Women Prefer to Take Contraceptive Pills Continuously?
There are ‘n’ number reasons why users prefer doing this based on their medical preferences/needs:
– Suppressing periods due to endometriosis
– Improving skin conditions like acne
– Prevent menstrual migraines
Whatever may be the reason; continuing medicine does carry potential health risks that should not be ignored or overlooked!
Now some would say – “You’re damm right,” while others may argue otherwise saying “Don’t sweat over tiny things”. Let’s try figuring out which approach makes sense here while making sure to explore both sides of this argument.
The pros of taking birth control pills continuously
Long-term continuous use comes with its benefits like:
– Lesser cramps, bloating and menstrual pain as hormonal dosages are more balanced.
– Reduction in the intensity or complete disappearance of PMS-related symptoms.
– More convenience due to non-period days i.e., no need to stock up on pads or tampons when a new week is around the corner.
– Skipping periods helps in avoiding reproductive system issues like anaemia, endometrial cancer.
The cons of taking birth control pills continuously
Any drug that you intake poses potential risks if not taken under prescribed recommendations, Here they are:
– Heart conditions such as blood clots (Venous thromboembolism)
– Irregular bleeding can cause discomfort throughout a longer period than normal.
– Nutrient deficiency
The Debate Over Risks Versus Benefits Continues?
Actually, You Know What? Same debate was there even 60 years ago; Imagine! When medical experts found out oral contraceptives were safe and effective at preventing pregnancy—Birth control pills became prevalent among women globally.
However Some medical experts, argue about serious health risks being traced back through extended usage of combination estrogen/progestin-based products available worldwide containing ethinyl estradiol,
How Safe Is It To Use Continuous Birth Control Pills Currently?
As already stated above while carrying several benefits associated with it may also come numerous drawbacks upon misuse!
Here’s our compiled list “what could happen” :
Vaginal Bleeding Issues
The most common downside witnessed by those who take continuous contraceptive medicines especially during their initial phases would be having irregular periods for few months after beginning to implement them without break weeks. This resulted in mid-cycle spotting which sometimes lasts ranging from few weeks to even upto two-three months but “stable bleeding is actually less frequent”.
Most commonly one reason behind unpredictable twitches is discrepancy found in hormonal levels across few months upon imposing the therapy after withdrawing placebo. Hormonal changes, stress factors/fad diets etc., may lead to vaginal bleeding.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Long-term use of birth control pills can interfere with your body’s absorption of certain compensating aspects like magnesium, vitamins B1,6 and 12 decreasing hormone secretion leading up shifting nutritional deficit.
Venous thromboembolism (Blood Clots)
It’s very unwise not to cover this potentially life-threatening potentiality pose by combination estrogen-progestin based contraceptive medication contain Ethinyl estradiol as their conventional pyrrolidino derivative because these OCs carry a small risk density!
Recent research shows occurrence among women taking continuous oral contraception possibly more than those on periodic usage “If You know what we mean”.
Some Extra Things That Can Be Done To Decrease Your Chances Of Blood Clotting:
- If under any circumstance you faced blood clots or any complications which react to estrogen rich products.
- Smoking if everyday habits should be avoided at all costs – this factor worsens risks associated with using estradiol-combination contraceptives medications
Alcohol consumption, drug abuse substances &overweight individuals have similar circumstances too!
What Needs To Be Taken Care Of?
Here are some immediate things being recommended for those users who wants to go ahead anyway –
- A medical check-up is essential including thrombophilia disease screening prior starting continuous pill remedying.
- While skipping placebos most doctors still recommend prescribing short intermittent break periods every once in awhile for general satisfaction; This passes insurance providers’ suggestions lowering population development symptoms when emphasizing general cardiovascular safety concerns specifically over venal clot formation possibility relative odds during ‘Menacalc’, induced unpredictably through hormonal fluctuation i.e., menstruation.
Conclusion
Would “continuous” therapy pill treatment ultimately be good for you? While we firmly think it is always better to consult a doctor early on than take incorrect steps, medical findings still suggest taking occasional hormone-free days under recommended criteria along with single pack therapy recommendations until safer and more effective alternative medications emerge. Don’t forget if any adverse symptoms show up continuously one should “DISCONTINUE” this as your health is the utmost important thing to keep in sight at all times!