Verified on 04/28/2024 by Alexane Flament, Editor
The pill is one of the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy. If in the short term the side effects seem minor, long-term use could be dangerous for your health. We will explain everything to you.
Contraceptive pill: what is it?
Each month, a woman’s body produces two hormones in preparation for a possible pregnancy: estrogen in the first part of the menstrual cycle and progesterone, from ovulation until the next period.
THE contraceptives like the pill contain synthetic substances that mimic the action of these hormones. The goal is to prevent pregnancy by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg or by obstructing fertilization and implantation of a fertilized egg.
There are so-called combined pills, which contain both estrogen and progestin. And pills that contain only progestin. The first type of pill is the most prescribed in France. However, there are side effects, especially in the long term.
Long-term pill: significant risks
In the short term, there are some side effects such ass headaches, decreased libido, abdominal cramps, nausea or weight gain.
But there are risks more important.
They concern the increase in certain cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack or stroke. Specialists note the formation of blood clots in the veins, especially in women who smoke. This is why it is strongly recommended to stop smoking when you start taking oral contraception.
According to a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, updated in 2012, combined pills lead to a slight increase in the risk of breast, cervical and liver cancers.
The pill which contains only progestin increases the risk of breast and uterine cancer. On the other hand, some studies suggest that the combined pill reduces the risk of developing ovarian or endometrial cancer.
Health journalist
April 28, 2024, at 6:10 a.m.
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