Uncovering the 6 side effects of birth control pills

　　Revealing the side effects of birth control pills：

　　1. Symptoms similar to early pregnancy: Symptoms similar to those of early pregnancy are relatively common, affecting approximately 50% of the individuals taking the medication. The symptoms tend to be more severe at first and then lessen over time, eventually disappearing altogether, which may be related to the body gradually adapting to the situation. In the early stages of taking the medication, a small number of people experience mild symptoms similar to those of early pregnancy, such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, tiredness, and vomiting. It often occurs during the first 1 to 2 weeks of taking the medication.

　　2. Increased vaginal discharge: It is often caused by long-acting oral contraceptives. Since these medications contain high levels of estrogen, excessive estrogen affects the secretory cells of the cervical lining, causing them to secrete more abundantly and resulting in increased vaginal discharge.

　　3. Breasts swelling pain : The reason is the stimulating effect of estrogen on the breasts.

　　4、Irregular menstruation：

　　(1) Decreased menstrual flow or Amenorrhea … This situation often occurs after taking short-acting contraceptives because the medication inhibits ovulation, resulting in lower levels of estrogen being produced by the ovaries, and the contraceptives themselves also contain relatively small amounts of estrogen uterus The endometrium cannot grow properly, resulting in a thin endometrium. This leads to decreased menstrual flow or even amenorrhea.

　　(2) Breakthrough bleeding. If bleeding occurs during the period of taking medication, it is often due to missing a dose. In a few cases, vaginal bleeding can occur even when the prescribed medication is not missed.

　　(3) Increased menstrual flow and prolonged periods. This often occurs in individuals taking long-acting oral contraceptives. In cases of heavy bleeding, hemostatic agents can be used, and if necessary, testosterone propionate injections may be administered.

　　5. Weight gain: It is possible that estrogen causes water and sodium retention, while progesterone affects anabolic processes (an increase in progesterone promotes protein synthesis), which is why some women experience weight gain. Generally, no treatment is required; oral diuretics can be used or a low-salt diet adopted, with the medication discontinued if necessary.

　　6. Pigmentation: After taking the medication, a small number of people experienced symptoms on the forehead and face skin Hyperpigmentation occurs as a result of the effects of estrogen and progesterone, and it usually resolves naturally once the medication is discontinued.

　　The following medications should not be taken concurrently with contraceptives：

　　1. Antidepressants

　　Taking birth control pills alongside antidepressants such as amitriptyline and imipramine can exacerbate the adverse effects associated with these medications.

　　2. Antibiotic drugs

　　Contraceptives are broken down by hydrolyzing enzymes, with the assistance of intestinal bacteria, before being absorbed by the body and taking effect. Antibiotics can kill or inhibit the bacteria in the intestines, reducing the amount of enzymes available for breaking down birth control pills. This can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the pills or even render them ineffective.

　　3. Antioxidant Epilepsy medicine

　　Currently commonly used antiepileptic drugs, such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and primidone, all have an antagonistic effect when combined with contraceptives. suffering from epilepsy Women If birth control pills and anti-epileptic drugs are taken simultaneously, the drug-metabolizing enzymes in liver cells increase, which accelerates the metabolism of the birth control pills within the body. This undermines their effectiveness, potentially leading to contraceptive failure.

　　4. Sedative drugs

　　Sedative drugs such as Valium, Chlordiazepoxide, Melatonin, Phenobarbital, and Carbamazepine all possess enzymatic activity. Such drugs can enhance the metabolic activity of drugs catalyzed by liver mitochondrial enzymes

　　5. Anticoagulants

　　Taking birth control pills alongside anticoagulant drugs such as heparin or warfarin can reduce the effectiveness of these anticoagulants. If it is necessary to take them simultaneously, the dosage of the anticoagulant medication should be adjusted appropriately under the guidance of a doctor.

　　6. Antitubercular drugs

　　Rifampicin is a commonly used antitubercular drug. If rifampicin is taken concurrently with birth control pills, it can accelerate the metabolism of norethisterone and ethinyl estradiol in these medications, reducing their concentrations in the blood. As a result, this may lead to a decreased effectiveness or even complete failure of the birth control effect.