10 Worst Side Effects of Hormonal Contraceptives

Most common risks of taking hormonal contraceptives are weight gain, impaired fat metabolism, thrombosis, migraines, and uterine cancer. The list of harmful effects of hormonal contraceptives is so big that we will focus only on main negative reactions. All birth control pills that prevent ovulation contain synthetic female hormones and steroid hormones, which have a major impact on a women’s physiology. So it is easy to understand what serious consequences it may cause.

The results of scientific researchers and customer reviews prove that such method of contraception can cause negative reactions.

What Are the Side Effects of Hormonal Birth Control Pills?

1. Thrombosis

The risk of thrombosis is especially serious when taking mini-pills of the latest generation, containing gestogen only. Thrombosis formation is connected not only with synthetic estrogen. Synthetically produced progestogen causes so serious risk of thrombosis that the German Ministry of Health announced warning about the use of these drugs to the public but it was immediately invalidated by the manufacturers of hormonal pills.

2. Blood Clotting

Synthetic estrogen activates fibrinogen, prothrombin, factor-X, and plasminogen. Synthetic gestogen lowers the tone of the vessels. Therefore, changed vessels can also cause thrombosis. thromboembolism, increased blood clotting, slow blood flow, especially in case of nicotine addiction, advanced age, varicose veins or multiple labors.

3. Carbohydrate Metabolism

Many women taking birth control pills notice an increased level of insulin in the blood and a reduced glucose tolerance. It has a very special effect on receiving high-dose preparations. Therefore, prediabetic metabolism and diabetes are contraindications to receiving birth control pills. Besides, hormonal contraceptives have an effect on carbohydrate metabolism.

4. Fat Metabolism

Violated fat metabolism is a frequent disease that should be prevented at an early stage if you want to avoid blood strokes and heart attacks. Since hormonal contraceptives have a direct impact on an increased fat level, women with an impaired lipid metabolism should not take hormonal contraceptives. Synthetic estrogen and gestogen change lipid and lipoprotein metabolism.

5. Hepatic Metabolism

Like other steroids, hormonal contraceptives give load on the liver. Transaminase changes in liver, increased disorders in liver outflow system, and through electron microscope changes in the fine structure of hepatic arch can be seen can lead to cholestasis in extreme cases.

6. Tumors

Classic two-phase drugs increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Also, medical specialists take into account the relationship of hormonal contraceptives with breast cancer at a young age. Cases of hepatic adenomas are more frequent with taking synthetic steroid hormones.

7. Psychosis

Synthetic estrogen is able to prevent cerebral tryptophan metabolism and cause depression, decreased sexual desire, fatigue and a loss of sexual desire.

8. Migraines

A daily topic for discussion is a high incidence of severe migraine headaches when taking hormonal birth control pills. This is an official side effect of such medications.

9. Weight Gain

Estrogen causes salt and water accumulation in the body, and therefore a woman may gain weight during the first 6 months of taking medications. Estrogen increases appetite and leads to long-term weight gain.

10. Friendly Environment for Infections

Steroids create a favorable environment for all infections. Besides, hormonal contraceptives cause increased toxicity and aggression of latent infections, especially in the urogenital area, which may cause long-lasting infertility. Sometimes, hormonal contraceptives may a chlamydial infection.

Summary

You should always adequately assess the benefits of taking birth control pills and their potential risks. Many years of experience shows that you need to be patient in order to select the contraceptive drug that will be perfect for you.