Table of contents:
- There are five women who are not allowed to take birth control pills
- 1. Have a migraine
- 2. Over 40 years old
- 3. Active smokers
- 4. Have a history of blood clotting disorders
- 5.High risk of breast cancer (or already diagnosed)
Birth control pills are the preferred method of contraception for women because of their ease of use and their efficacy in preventing pregnancy. However, it turns out that not all women are allowed to take birth control pills. Who shouldn't be, and what is the reason? Find out here.
There are five women who are not allowed to take birth control pills
Before starting to use contraception, you should first consult with your obstetrician whether birth control pills are really right and safe for you.
The reason is that although birth control pills are generally safe for consumption and have minimal side effects, this is not the case for women who:
1. Have a migraine
Birth control pills can increase the risk of ischemic stroke in women with migraine accompanied by aura. This is because birth control pills contain a type of synthetic estrogen called ethinyloestradiol. Increased levels of estrogen in the body can trigger ischemic strokes.
The risk is small, but not impossible. So if you have migraines and are intending to start using contraception, consider another method such as spiral birth control (IUD). If you still want to take birth control pills, your doctor may recommend mini birth control pills that only contain a low dose of progesterone. Mini pills are reported to be safer.
2. Over 40 years old
As you get older, your body will begin to experience a lot of decline in function. Quoted from Verywell Health, women aged 40 years and over are at very high risk for developing blood clots when using birth control pills that contain estrogen. Of the 100,000 women in their 40s who take estrogen birth control pills, about 100 of them experience blood clots.
In addition, your risk of experiencing artery blockage due to this blood clot also doubles as a result of taking birth control pills.
We recommend that you consult further with your doctor about which alternative contraception is safer for you.
3. Active smokers
Women who smoke should not take birth control pills because they can increase the risk of developing heart disease, including complications such as strokes and heart attacks. Especially if you smoke and have entered the age of 40. The risk can increase many times over.
If you intend to use contraception, your doctor will generally advise you to stop smoking first to avoid these risks. Your doctor may also look for a safer alternative birth control method afterwards.
4. Have a history of blood clotting disorders
The estrogen content in birth control pills can interfere with the blood clotting process (coagulation). Quoted from WebMD, a study shows that birth control pills increase your chances of developing blood clotting disorders about 2-6 times higher than women who do not use contraceptives.
This risk can increase especially if you already have a history of blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia, since before deciding to use birth control pills.
5.High risk of breast cancer (or already diagnosed)
Citing various studies, regular use of high doses of birth control pills can increase the risk of breast cancer. Especially if you also have "talent" hereditary breast cancer and have abnormal cells in the breast. Then your risk will be much higher.
In fact, taking high doses of birth control pills can also increase the risk of recurrence in former breast cancer.
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