What Your Mom Didn’t Tell You About Birth Control Pills

Birth Control Pills

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If you were lucky, your mom sat you down and proceeded to have an open, honest discussion about healthy sexual activity, and the pros and cons of various methods of birth control, including the famous Pill. Unfortunately, if this conversation even happened, it was probably an awkward exchange on both sides that led to more questions than answers. Here are the facts your mom may have missed about birth control pills.

1. Lowers Sex Drive

Your sex drive is driven by hormones, and when you take a product that purposefully disrupts your natural balance, there will be consequences. Because of the differing levels of progesterone from Pill to Pill you may notice some lower libido. Mention the problem to your doctor, and they’ll be happy to help you find one that doesn’t hamper your natural drive.

2. Can Insert Vaginally

If you’re not sure whether your stomach can keep down your Pill, rendering you helpless to fertilization, stick it up your vagina. The secretions will break it down, and the capillaries will absorb it into your bloodstream. Only do this in extreme situations, however, as the Pill was only ever designed to work effectively through oral ingestion. There are also other birth control methods that can be inserted this way rather than relying on your use of the daily pill.

3. Increases Cancer Risks

This may come as a surprise to many, but the World Health Organization has found a small link between long-term use and an increased chance in liver, breast, and cervical cancer. Long-term in this case means four years or longer.

4. Regulates Menopause

Menopause is often the cause behind highly irregular periods. Before ordering a year’s supply, speak with your doctor. They will need to double check to make sure the irregular bleeding isn’t caused by something more serious, such as polyps or fibroids. So long as you are healthy and suffering from none of these, the Pill can help get you back on schedule.

5. It Doesn’t Change

Your body does, though. This means the brand you take now can prove to be much less effective ten years down the road. Because your internal hormones develop over the course of your life, what works now probably won’t continue on with you until menopause. If you run into heavier bleeding or other problems, consult your doctor to determine a new brand.

The birth control pill has come a long way since its introduction to the world of contraceptives. Know the facts so you can make the most of it.

5 Freaky Facts About Birth Control Pills