Contraceptive needs are different and vary from person to person. Despite being a method used by a large number of women today, there are still doubts regarding the subject, so it is necessary to be well informed to carry out an adequate treatment and avoid possible complications.
The OB / GYN doctor Pablo Joaquin Figueroa emphasizes that not every woman can take just any contraceptive. There must be a prior evaluation and medical follow-up so that the treatment is adapted to the patient according to a series of factors and clinical pathologies to take into account. Like any medicine, its consumption must be responsible and guided by professionals.
There are some frequent claims; The word of the specialists allows to clear doubts and identify false myths and certified truths.
1- “Birth control pills cause weight gain”
Maria Alejandra Macías, an obstetrician doctor, calls it a myth. “The pills are a low-dose hormonal method that does not lead to weight gain,” he points out and warns that this may be linked to other factors such as constant growth in adolescence, food intake and emotional changes. He recommends always maintaining a healthy diet and physical activity.
“Birth control pills do not cause weight gain for the most part, but there may be some (exceptional) hormonal combinations that increase appetite and slow metabolism, which can facilitate this situation,” he says. Fabiana Reina, child, adolescent and adolescent gynecologist.
For his part, Figueroa expresses that a link between pills and weight has not been verified for sure. However, he adds that there may be a very slight increase due to fluid retention and localized fat due to a hormonal issue.
2- “After taking birth control pills for a long time, it is difficult to get pregnant”
Experts say that this statement is a myth. “The best example that this is not real is that there are many people with the ability to carry a baby who stop using the contraceptive for the famous and unnecessary period of ‘rest’ and become pregnant immediately,” explains Reina.
“Whoever takes contraceptives will have the same fertility when they stop taking them as they had before starting relationships,” adds the specialist.
Accordingly, Figueroa asserts that there are patients who stop taking oral contraceptives and the following month present a positive pregnancy test, which is why he maintains that fertility is totally reversible when leaving the pills.
Macías assures that this statement is a fallacy, as is the rest of the pills. The person should take them as long as necessary as long as there are no contraindications. By stopping consumption, fertility returns.
3- “Taking birth control pills increases the risk of contracting cancer or depression”
Figueroa points out that studies are currently being carried out on the subject. “There is protection with taking contraceptives that reduces the risk of contracting some types of cancer such as ovarian, endometrial and colon cancer,” he says. It ensures that if the patient undergoes the necessary controls and periodically and in a timely manner (Papanicolau, colposcopy and breast ultrasound, among others) the risk of complications is low.
On the other hand, he adds that the change of character and perhaps depression due to the taking of some contraceptives is a frequent consultation. For this reason, he insists on the importance of always being supervised by a professional.
“The pills have low doses of hormones and do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer. They are contraindicated in patients who already have a diagnosis of cancer, Macías warns. Oral contraceptives inhibit ovulation, therefore, it prevents ovarian and endometrial cancer, but it is not indicated for this purpose ”.
“If we reason that around five to six million women in Latin America take contraceptives, the incidence of cancer or depression would be uncontrollable. However, it has been seen that in those patients with a low risk of contracting it, the relative risk of developing a higher incidence of the problems reported did not increase, ”explains Reina.
In any case, the specialist admits that gestagen can be used only in pills in risk patients, which is effective and safe.
4. “Some oral contraceptives help hair growth and control acne”
According to specialists, this statement is true.
Macías explains that there is a wide variety of contraceptive pills and that it is important for the gynecologist to choose which one is appropriate for each case. Just as some can improve acne and hair growth, others can worsen these aspects.
“Some contraceptives prevent, delay, or slow down hair growth (hirsutism); then it happens that there are others that have a combination with a gestagen, which causes an increase in hair growth in some patients, ”says Reina.
Figueroa comments that the contraceptive can cause a slight loss of hair or that it becomes thinner (due to hormones, especially progestogens) and that there are some specific ones that help treat acne with very effective results.
Aspects to consider:
– Consult a health professional before starting contraceptive pills for advice.
– Carry out a medical follow-up.
– Always take the pills at the same time. Choose a comfortable schedule and stick to it.
– Leave the box in a visible place, set an alarm or reminder (the woman’s partner can also collaborate).
– Drinking should be associated with a daily habit such as dining, brushing teeth, having breakfast, and so on.
– In the event of poor intake or forgetfulness, emergency contraception (morning-after pill) can and should be used and continue to take the pills correctly.
– It is advisable to evaluate other long-term contraceptive methods in case of repeated forgetfulness or consumption during disorderly schedules.
– Common, frequently used medications do not interfere with the effect of contraceptives.
– You have to choose the right pills and stick with them. Changing them every month increases the risk of adverse effects.
– Contraceptives only prevent pregnancy. The use of a condom is recommended for double protection, since it is the only thing that prevents sexually transmitted infections.
(Journalistic production: Mariana Ávila).
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