It changed the world, but here in Singapore, we hardly ever seem to acknowledge or talk about it. Why, oh, why? Herewith, a user’s guide to the birth control pill.
It changed the world, but here in Singapore, we hardly ever seem to acknowledge or talk about it. Why, oh, why? Herewith, a user’s guide to the birth control pill.
Wearing two condoms at once? Repeat uses of the morningafter contraceptive pill? Ladies, please don’t try that at home. After all, why go to such great (and ineffectual) lengths to avoid a pregnancy when there’s the birth control pill? It might be because, for some reason or other, we cling to the mistaken notion that the pill has lots of unwanted side effects like random spotting, weight gain, loss of libido, and not to mention mood swings. With so many myths about the pill floating around, here are the facts – straight from the doctors’ mouths.
Will the pill affect my future fertility?
“No. In fact, the pill is sometimes prescribed for people with irregular cycles for a couple of months to try and improve their chance of getting pregnant,” explains women’s health expert Dr Laura Edwards. “There is no ‘set time’ to come off the pill before trying to get pregnant, but most women choose to come off for a few months, partly to get an idea of their ‘normal’ cycle,” says Dr Laura.
Will it make me put on weight?
“The manufacturers would say, ‘The pill does not make you fat,’ but there are definitely people who claim it did,” Dr Laura points out. “The pill can make you retain water, but this will usually go away once your body has adjusted to the new hormones after about a month or two. Some people might notice a very slight increase in appetite if their pill contains progesterone (most do). But again, this should level out after a few months.”
Will it clear up my skin?
This is what the doctors call a “noncontraceptive benefit”. “It’s very good for acne because of the oestrogen content,” explains Dr Deborah Bateson. “It increases the sex hormone-binding globulin, and reduces circulation testosterone. For most women, it can be used as an acne treatment. There are some pills that might be better for it than others, so it’s a matter of working that out with your doctor.”
Will it alter my mood?
While this isn’t a definite side effect, it could occur. “It can have an effect on mood, but there is no association with depression, so that’s important,” Dr Deborah says. “[Mood swings] may not happen to you at all, but you do need to be aware [of them]. If it’s having a negative effect, talk to your doctor and try to find an alternative pill.”
Will it decrease my libido?
According to our experts, this is a tricky one. “I always warn people thatit can affect libido, but it’s unlikely,Dr Laura explains. As Dr Deborah tells us, there are many contributingfactors. “Our libido is so multi-faceted.Depending on what’s happening withyour relationship and with work… It’s easy to blame something like thepill, but it can actually be a whole hostof things.”
Is it bad to take it non-stop for years?
“Some women stay on the pill for over20 years, and there are no problemswith taking it long-term unless youhave certain risk factors, like high blood pressure or if you’re a smoker says Dr Laura. But there is a reason why your doctor will only give you somany months’ worth of pills per visit.“I do a check-up every year while women are on the pill to make surethey are safe to continue taking it, andare aware of the risks and benefits.”
Does it cause any random spotting between periods?
Because nobody likes that betweenperiod surprise! “In the first few months when the body is getting used to the pill, there may be spotting,” Dr Deborah warns. “[Your doctor] might want to trial another pill, and should be able to find one where spotting isn’t a problem.” If you’ve been on the pill for ages and spotting is a new addition, see your doctor. “We would want to investigate that, just to make sure there’s nothing else going on.”
Will it change my boobs?
Did your chest quickly expand a few sizes after starting the pill? (This could be a welcome addition for some of you.) “Some pills can cause breast tenderness or enlargement but this usually settles down pretty quickly,” Dr Laura confirms. “For those who find it an issue, switching to a different pill with a lower dose or different form of oestrogen or progesterone usually helps.”
Do I have to take it at the exact same time every day?
“Have a cue so you remember to take it at the same time each day, like when you brush your teeth. Or set up an app on your phone to remind you,” says Dr Laura. But if you do forget, don’t stress! “You can take it when you remember, as long as it has been less than 24 hours from when it was due.” Just check this with your doctor when you first start. “Also, if you’re vomiting or have diarrhoea, you should treat it as caused by a missed dosage and use additional contraception for seven days,” Dr Laura adds.
Should I be scared of blood clots forming?
This is the big one that most of us freak out over, but as Dr Deborah points out, there’s no need to panic. “There are scares in the media sometimes. It’s important for us to be able to put those into perspective. For most people taking the pill, there is a small increased risk of getting blood clots, but that risk is incredibly low,” she explains. “What we need to make sure is that you as an individual woman don’t have increased background risk factors for blood clots [like a family history].”
How much does it cost?
Ah, the million-dollar question. Many of us might shy away from the contraceptive pill because it’s a recurring cost, or we’re under the impression that it’s too expensive. Newsflash, ladies: a one-month’s supply of the pill usually costs about $30 to $40 from your GP. Just $1 a day for peace of mind, regular periods and possibly even better skin? Sounds like a worthy investment to us.
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