Although birth control has been prevalent for a long time now and has been discussed on some sex-ed classes, there are still a lot of questions that rise - most of them probably just to clear doubts about this method.
When was birth control invented?
The first birth control was introduced to us in 3000 BC, when people used animal intestines and fish bladders as condoms. In 1500, linen sheaths comdoms were soaked in a chemical used as a spermicide. It was not until 1838 when rubbers were used for condoms and diaphragms.
In 1873, however, distribution of birth control and information regarding this method were banned in the US. In fact, Margaret Sanger was kept in jail for 30 days because of opening a birth control clinic in 1916. When she got out, she continued re-opening her clinic despite getting arrested for it multiple times. Because of her perseverance, a judge decided to lift the ban on birth control. During that time, diaphragms became popular.
In 1950s, Sanger, although in her 80s, raised $150,000 to fund a research for creating the first human birth control pill. Ten years later, Enovoid - the first birth control pill, was approved by the FDA. The following years, the Supreme Court allowed married couples to use contraceptive. By this time, there are 26 states that still deny unmarried women of contraceptives. Birth control was only legalized nationwide in 1972, regardless of a person’s marital status.
Because of the Supreme Court’s legalization of contraceptives, more research were done, thus the improvement of the quality of pills and IUDs and the production of more types of birth control like emergency contraceptives, Norplant, DepoProvera, female condoms, hormonal patches as well as Nuvaring.
How does birth control pills work?
In the 1930’s, it was discovered that injecting progesterone helps in avoiding pregnancy in women. Progesterone - a hormone secreted by the ovaries, placenta and adrenal glands - is responsible for telling the uterus to prepare for pregnancy. It also helps in maintaining a pregnancy, thus the nickname “pregnancy hormone”. Synthetic versions of this hormone is used in pills, and it is proven to be just as effective as the real hormone. Further research in connection with birth control pills revealed that another hormone - estrogen, works like progesterone.
Because the body produces high levels of progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy, the body “believes” that it a woman is already pregnant when the amount of progesterone and estrogen reaches a certain level. As a result, the ovaries do not release egg cells, thus, preventing the woman to conceive.
Other pills, however, work in a different way - by making the body stop producing the hormones Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteotrophic Hormone (LH). Without these hormones, nothing will trigger the release of egg cells in the ovary.
When to start birth control pills?
There are different pill packs available in the market. The most common of them contains 21 active pills plus 7 placebo pills. The 7 pills are referred to as “reminder pills” that contain lower amounts of hormones. Another type of package comes with 21 active pills, and no placebo pills. When you are given this package, you will have to stop taking pills for 7 days and continue with a new package on the 8th day. Let’s discuss how the 28-pill package should be taken.
Before buying yourself a set of pills, you must first visit your doctor so they can discuss with you how to properly take a certain pill. Your health care provider may also suggest a certain brand depending on your medical history. When you receive your pills, read the instructions carefully.
Patients are usually told to take their first pill either on a Sunday, the first day of their period, or even on the day they were seen by their doctor. The pill must be taken once each day, on the same time. Most women prefer to set their alarm to avoid missing their pill. After completing the 28-day pill, a new pack must be started the next day.
How long does birth control take to kick in?
When you start taking birth control pills on the first day of your period, you are protected right away. However, when you start it any other time, you have to use a backup birth control method (like condom) for seven days from the first day of taking the pill.
Does birth control increase breast size?
Birth control pills may affect breast size depending on the amount of estrogen they have. The more estrogen content, the more the body retains liquid, and the more it increases the breast size.
Do antibiotics affect birth control pills?
Yes. Some antibiotics break estrogen down, thus decreasing the effectiveness of the pills. This also increases the risk of getting pregnant.
Does birth control make you gain weight?
Like its effect on breast size, birth controls that contain high levels of estrogen has the tendency to increase one’s appetite, and fluid retention, thus causing weight gain. However, modern birth controls have decreased levels of estrogen.
Can you overdose on birth control?
Yes. This happens when you take more than the recommended dosage of birth control.
Can birth control cause yeast infections?
Yes. Just as in pregnancy, women who take birth control pills have higher estrogen levels that causes yeast infection.
Does birth control cause cancer?
The risk for developing cancer for women who take birth control is not consistent. For example, it was proven that women who take oral contraceptives have lower risk of having ovarian, colorectal and endometrial cancer. However, there is an increased risk of developing liver, cervical and breast cancer.
Some contraceptives like “the shot”, or commonly known as Depo Provera contains just one type of hormone - progestin. Studies show that even continuous use of this contraception method does not increase the risk of having breast cancer. It also decreases the risk of uterine cancer.
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