The Daily Escape

Most of us are aware of the variety of options that exist with birth control. From pills to IUDs to subdermal implants, all of these contraceptives are safe and effective methods to prevent pregnancy. In fact, the side effects of birth control could also reduce PMS and acne, and help with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, amongst other things. Yet, as with most other health-related things, there are also risks to taking birth control.

If you’ve read up on the side effects of birth control, or have asked other women about their experiences, then it is likely that you’ve heard of the higher risks of weight gain. While the contraceptive injection and implant have higher risks of weight gain, practicing ob-gyn Dr Alyssa Dweck explains that based on scientific research, “about a third of women gain on the Pill, a third of women lose on the Pill, and a third stay the same”.

This has received confirmation by clinical professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Yale School of Medicine Dr Mary Jane Minkin, who advises, “What I can tell you is basically anything with oestrogen in it can increase fluid retention to some degree. However, the drospirenone pills like Yaz actually act like a diuretic.” So, while birth control could lead to the side effect of fluid retention, which is the main cause of weight gain, this is usually just a temporary consequence that lasts for 2 to 3 months at the most.

Another health risk that is frequently associated with birth control is blood clot. While it is true that all contraceptives lead to a higher likelihood of blood clots, the risks are not as high as those associated with pregnancy, which leads to higher doses of oestrogen that result in higher risks of blood clots. To reduce these risks, it would be advisable to use contraceptives such as condoms, diaphragms, or the copper IUD, as these do not increase risks of blood clots. Tailoring your exercise and diet to keep your body close to your ideal or original weight can also help, and it goes without saying that indulging in activities that are harmful to your overall health, such as smoking, should be refrained from.

Lastly, if you’re worried about how birth control might affect your sex drive, then you may be happy to hear that the effects of this could be determined more by psychology than biology. According to Dr Dwek, sexual dysfunction could occur from a science standpoint as it “prevents ovulation which can alter libido by lowering it, and some women notice a decline in their orgasm potential on the oestrogen-containing pill”. However, psychology could help reverse these effects, as “some women find they're so relieved that they have adequate birth control and they're not afraid of getting pregnant that their libido may be enhanced because they're not having that psychological block”. Sometimes, it’s all in the mind – that’s why they say that the body really achieves what the mind believes.

Being on birth control is has its pros and cons, but the decision of whether the benefits outweigh the risks ultimately falls to the individual in question. At its core, birth control takes away any stress of having to worry about an unexpected surprise along the way. More than this however, it could also provide health benefits such as lowering the risks of ovarian cancer and bring you and your partner closer together through greater intimacy. Birth control doesn’t need to be scary or intimidating, but if you’re really worried about how it may affect you, then your best bet would be to visit a doctor for personal counselling and further guidance on the matter.

References

The risks and rewards of birth control