The Effects Of Hormonal Birth Control On A Woman's Body

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that around 62 percent of American women between the ages of 15 to 44 use some form of birth control. The most common form of birth control being used is some form of hormonal birth control either in the form of a pill or a patch. These types of birth control have a wide range of positive results, but they do come with side effects.

 

How Does Hormonal Birth Control Work?

It has been reported that hormonal birth control is 99.9 percent effective and it is used around the world. Hormonal birth control uses two hormones, estrogen and progestin, to prevent the female egg from getting into position to be fertilized and create a natural barrier that prevents semen from getting to the egg. It is a relatively safe process, but it does come with certain side effects.

Five Birth Control Methods

Every woman should take some time to do some research on different methods of birth control and how that method will affect her body. Below are five forms of birth control and possible side effects to be aware of.

The Pill

The pill is the most common form of hormonal birth control, in large part because of its reliability. The pill is said to be 99.9 percent effective, and it is easy for a woman to take every day. It brings together the hormones estrogen and progesterone to stop the process of ovulation.

Contrary to popular belief, the pill does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Some of its side effects include unpredictable menstrual bleeding, mood changes, nausea, and blood clots.

Transdermal Patch

The transdermal patch is placed on a spot on the body close to the pelvis, and releases a hormone called norelgestromin for seven days. There are three weeks of patch therapy, and then one week where the patch is not applied.

Along with the other common side effects of hormonal birth control such as nausea and irregular bleeding, the transdermal patch can also create a rash at the spot where it is applied. Women should never apply the patch to their breasts, and they should be very careful when handling a patch.

Vaginal Ring

The vaginal ring gives off man made hormones that thicken the mucus in the pelvic area, and prevent ovulation. One ring is inserted into the vagina for three weeks, and then removed for one week off the hormone treatment.

During the fourth week of therapy, women still experience menstruation. Some of the more common side effects of the vaginal ring are nausea, fatigue, and tenderness in the breasts.

Intrauterine System

An intrauterine system is a small device inserted into the cervix to release progestogen. The Jaydess system lasts up to three years, while the Mirena system can last up to five years. An intrauterine system is not surgically implanted, and it can be removed at any time.

The intrauterine system can cause the same types of side effects as other hormonal birth control methods, but it can also cause an infection that could make you ill. While using the intrauterine system, if you start to experience a fever or chills, then you should get to a doctor immediately.

Essure

An Essure procedure involves implanting steel coils in a woman's fallopian tubes to create scar tissue and prevent pregnancy. It was originally marketed as a permanent solution to prevent pregnancy, but BirthControlProblems.com states that thousands of women have experienced severe side effects from this method. The side effects of Essure are reported to begin almost immediately after the procedure has ended. Those side effects include:

• Unusually heavy, painful and extended menstrual cycles


• Chronic and severe pain in the pelvic area


• Back pain


• Fatigue


• Sharp pains in the hips

Essure is meant to be implanted permanently and not removed, which makes battling the side effects much more difficult. In the most severe cases, women who experienced side effects from Essure were forced to get hysterectomies to relieve the pain and stop the side effects.

Before choosing any type of birth control option, it is very important to understand what you are choosing and why. Talk to your doctor and understand the potential for side effects before you start any treatment. If you do start to experience significant side effects as a result of birth control, then contact your doctor immediately to get the right advice on what should be done.

 

Kimberly Dougherty Bio:

Kimberly Dougherty, Esq is a Partner and the Managing Attorney at the Boston office of Janet, Jenner & Suggs, which is a national plaintiffs' law firm. Kim has taken on a number of large corporate defendants in her career, handling multiple lawsuits involving dangerous prescription drugs and medical devices. She is also the President for the Massachusetts Women's Bar Association.

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