Breast cancer to depression, birth control pills can be harmful for your health in many ways

If you are sexually active, then your biggest nightmare could be an unwanted pregnancy. With the progress we've made in medicine, there are many methods, but each with its own set of risks, that ensure you don't end up with an unwanted pregnancy.

Many women opt for birth control pills, which are made up of hormones. Dr Hrishikesh D Pai, medical director, Bloom IVF Group, and secretary general, Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India, says, "Birth control pills are a combination of estrogen and progestin."

The birth control pills does three things, says Dr Payal Choudhary, consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital. It inhibits ovulation and doesn't allow the eggs to grow in the ovary or get released, makes the cervical mucus viscid and doesn't allow the penetration of sperm, and ensures that even if an embryo is formed, implantation on the uterine lining is impossible, she says. Doctors add that if taken properly and started within the first five days of menses, these pills are 99.9 per cent effective. Dr Anuradha Kapur, director and head of unit, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Max Multi Speciality Centre, Delhi, warns, "But in reality, the pill is about 91 per cent effective as it can be hard to be regular." And then there are health conditions or consumption of other medication that might interfere with its use.

Recent studies have linked consumption of birth pills to an increase in risk of getting breast cancer. Dr Tripti Saran, senior consultant, Laparoscopy, Gynaecology and Fetal Medicine, BLK Super Speciality Hospital, says, "Some breast cancers are hormone-dependent. In such predisposed patients, the pills, which are essentially hormones themselves, can increase the risk. It can also accelerate the growth of a pre-existing dormant lesion."

This risk generally increases with age. Pills are better avoided in those who have a tumour or have a family history of breast cancers. Agrees Dr Hrishikesh, "The pills use hormones to block pregnancy and may overstimulate the breast cells, which can increase the risk of breast cancer. Other factors include past breast biopsies showing abnormal cells; and presence of an abnormal breast cancer gene."

Also Read:When it comes to contraception, how safe is 99.9 per cent?

The risk is also higher among women who start taking the pill at a young age and those who are consuming triphasic pills - in which the dose of hormones is changed in three stages over the course of a woman's monthly cycle.

Formation of blood clots is another side effect of consumption of this hormone-based contraceptive option that has users rattled. Most pills increase a woman's chance of developing a blood clot by three to four times. They also increase the levels of clotting factors and are responsible for increased risk of blood clots during pregnancy.

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Dr Payal says, "The pills can increase the risk of clot formation in the legs, especially among women who have a family history of DVT (deep vein thrombosis)." But Dr Anuradha says that the risk can be reduced y opting for the newer pills which have low dose estrogen (less than 30 mg) and with second generation progesterone.

Depression is another longterm effect that's making women wary. Says Dr Taruna Dua, consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, "There is 40 per cent increased risk of depression for women taking the pill. The endogenous hormonal changes could be a reason."

Other side effects are nausea, mood changes, scanty menses, weight gain (generally temporary), tingling and breast tenderness and spotting between periods. Dr Payal says, "It could also cause mild derangement in the blood lipid levels depending on the progesterone content of the pills." In case of symptoms like abdominal pain, chest pain, severe headaches, blurred vision and swelling or aching in legs or thighs, it's imperative to consult a specialist. So, many are going back to the basics or natural methods of contraception like:

1. Calendar Rhythm method: 80 per cent effective, it says avoid sex two days around ovulation (2 weeks before menses).

2. Coitus interruptus: Withdrawal of the penis from vagina just before ejaculation. It's 75 per cent effective.

3. Lactational infertility: Unreliable and based on the idea that breastfeeding women ovulate 10-12 weeks after delivery.

4. Fertility awareness method: 98 per cent effective provided there is constant monitoring and self-control, it's based on when a woman ovulates every month.

5. Basal body temperature method: Based on the drop in a woman's body temperature 12-24 hours before an egg is released from the ovary, and an increase once the egg has been released.

6. Condoms: Have a three per cent failure rate.