The Combined Pill contains Oestrogen and Progesterone, the two main sex hormones in females and the Mini Pill only containing Progesterone. Implants and Injections are the other form of hormonal contraception, and they also contain the two main female sex hormones, but the implant for instance releases these hormones gradually over a number of years.
Hormonal contraceptives have been the subject for much discussion, as they are believed to be related to an increase in the risk of contracting cancer of the ovaries and endometrium. The Pill is also known to cause other less serious side effects most of which affect the women in the same way the sex hormones would, but on a larger scale. For example, “less serious, more common side effects include: nausea, vomiting, mood changes, depression, weight gain, breast tenderness and eye dryness.” These side effects are said to usually subside after about 3 months but there are less noticeable, more serious side effects that can lead to extreme abnormalities and even death. These effects include,” hypertension, thromboses resulting in a stroke, pulmonary embolism, jaundice, liver cancer and may aggrevate heart disease.”
However these side effects according to the FDA “only occur with a high doseage of over 50mcg.” But is it only the doseage that would cause the user to contract these diseases or are there other factors that could contribute to an increased risk of these effects? The Family Health Encyclopedia suggests that,” The Pill should not be taken if you are currently suffering, or ever have suffered from hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, liver disease, otosclerosis and thromboses.”
The Pill was first introduced in the 60’s and at the time was believed to increase the risk of contracting cancer of the endometrium and ovaries and also heart related problems. However researches at Wayne State University in Detroit found that taking the Pill actually lowers the risk of contracting these problems. “A study based on 67,000 women who have ever taken the Pill has found that there was an 8% reduction of cardio-vascular problems, a 7% lowered risk of contracting any form of cancer, and if taken for 4 or more years a 42% lowered risk of contracting ovarian cancer and 30% less likely to develop uterine cancer.” So according to the Wayne State researchers the longer the woman has used the Pill the greater the benefits will be in terms of a less likely chance of contracting various fatal diseases.
As well as the health and medical issues of taking hormonal forms of birth control there are also certain ethical issues that should be taken into account. Catholics do not use any form of artificial contraception as they believe it is going against God’s will for that couple to have a child. They have their own methods of preventing pregnancy such as the rhythm method for example. Furthermore they don’t believe in abortion as it is seen as a form of murder and again is preventing the birth of the child God has chosen for them.
There are clearly many considerations to take into account when using hormonal birth control, whether it be its health risks or its ethical issues, but what are the advantages of this method of birth control? Firstly it is one of the most reliable contraceptives around with an effectiveness of 99% and, “it does not interfere with the spontaneity of sex.” However in terms of effectiveness, a condom does have the same success rate, and it would also protect you from catching STI’s. Unfortunately the Pill doesn’t offer any protection from catching sexually transmitted infections but it does have a positive effect on the menstrual cycle making periods “shorter, lighter and less painful.” The Pill also is said to decrease the risk of contracting cardio-vascular complications and cancer of the sex organs, and again, “the longer the woman has used it the greater the benefit.”
It is therefore my final decision that hormonal birth control is probably the best method of contraception. It has an extremely high success rate and along with the main advantage of that you won’t become pregnant it also helps with the periods as well. Whether it actually lowers the risk of contracting cancer or not is questionable as the data collected from various sources seems rather inconsistent. However the idea is that if you take hormonal contraception you are less at risk of developing cancer at some point in your life. The problem is it only lowers the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, so you are still at risk like everyone else in the world of contracting the many other forms of cancer, whether it be lung cancer, pancreatic cancer or liver cancer. My advice therefore is this, if your main concern is not wanting to become pregnant then I would definitely suggest hormonal birth control. However be aware of the effect it has on your health, some side effects are only temporary but there are other more serious effects to consider when taking this form of contraception.
