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There are children who have been born despite the fact that their mothers have been taking birth control pills regularly. Failure to follow a few rules may mean that even taking the tablets regularly will not protect you against pregnancy.
– Contraceptive pills are more effective than spermicides or condoms – said Professor Romuald Dębski, Head of the Second Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Bielański Hospital in Warsaw. However, despite the assurances of pharmaceutical companies about almost 100% protection against pregnancy, there are cases of conception during contraceptive therapy.
Taking birth control pills regularly
Professor Dębski explained that they are extremely rare and most often result from irregular tablet taking. – Women do not always remember taking a pill, and then forget that they forgot to take it – said prof. Debski. That’s why pharmaceutical companies are changing the pill-taking regimen. – Today, the classic model of taking 21/7 drugs is no longer valid, i.e. taking into account weekly withdrawal periods, when there is bleeding, which is a proof of the lack of pregnancy for the patient. Very high effectiveness of contraceptive drugs and the availability of pregnancy tests means that women do not need such confirmation. Instead, they are offered packets of pills containing 28 tablets for the 28-day cycle. 24 tablets from the package contain hormones and the remaining 4 are hormonally inactive. These empty tablets are introduced, inter alia, to get the patient used to taking the medicine every day – explained Prof. Debski.
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Double protection
Jacek Tulimowski, a gynecologist, warns that there are situations in which the contraceptive pill may not work. – This does not mean that it is ineffective, but you have to follow certain rules. – If a woman has symptoms of food poisoning – vomiting and diarrhea, and has swallowed a pill earlier, she must know that the pill may not work because it has not been absorbed in the right amount – explains the gynecologist . She recommends that you use a condom until the next cycle begins.
Dr. Tulimowski also cautions against the use of herbs, e.g. St. John’s wort, during pharmacological contraception. – The contraceptive will not work effectively because St John’s wort is metabolized in the liver and changes pill metabolism – explains. He also adds that you should always ask your gynecologist if the herbs and dietary supplements you use have an effect on the effectiveness of contraception.
Weakening of the effect of birth control pills
The contraceptive pill may also malfunction after weight loss medication that reduces the absorption of fat in the gut. Then the contraceptive pill will not be absorbed in the right amount either. Action of birth control pills it may also weaken the use of drugs metabolizing in the liver, e.g. strong antibiotics, tetracyclines, psychotropic drugs and antidepressants. – The contraceptive pill may also turn out to be ineffective in patients who chronically use anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs – says Dr. Tulimowski.
The contraceptive effect of the tablets is also eliminated by antifungal preparations, diuretics, strong sleeping pills and sedatives. Therefore, you should always ask your gynecologist whether the medications you are taking may affect the contraceptive pill.
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Advantages and disadvantages of using birth control pills
Modern hormonal drugs used for a long time reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer – said Prof. Romuald Dębski. He added that, of course, there are dangers, e.g. smoking cigarettes, which hormonal contraceptives increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Women who have liver or gallbladder problems are advised to use hormonal contraception in the form of patches or vaginal rings.
Professor Mariusz Bidziński, the president of the Polish Society of Oncological Gynecology, believes that modern contraceptive drugs are safe provided that the woman observes the regular visits to the gynecologist. For women using hormonal contraception and those not using such methods of contraception – the frequency of visits to the gynecological office should be once a year.