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$Title{Anxiety Over Taking Birth Control Pills}
$Subject{the birth control pill safety medication medications Genitourinary
lifestyle lifestyles Community Social Pills pregnancy estrogen progestin
fertility hormones Breakthrough bleeding vaginal spotting periods sexual
pregnancies hormone period sexually transmitted disease venereal diseases std
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Types of Birth Control*0002001.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Anxiety Over Taking Birth Control Pills


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QUESTION:  I have finally made an important decision in my life and now want
to start to take birth control pills.  But I am still full of anxiety over the
decision and want to know what I should be worrying about as I start to take
these medications?  Please dedicate some space in your column to answer this
most important question.

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ANSWER:  I'm not sure you should be worrying about anything--but you should
know all the facts, make an intelligent decision based on those facts, and
stay in touch with your body to be sure your choice is a good one for you.
     You've heard a lot about the dangers of birth control pills.  Birth
control pills are safe for most women; in fact, for some women, they're safer
than a pregnancy.  If you're younger than 35 years of age, don't smoke and are
in generally good health, you can probably take birth control pills without
problems.  It is always smart, though, to see your doctor regularly and report
immediately any changes you notice in your body.
     If you smoke, you need to find another method of birth control, because
your chances of complications (mainly blood clots) with the pill are
dramatically increased in women who still smoke.
     Generally, birth control pills are safest for young women.  Over the age
of 40, particularly if a woman has other risk factors, birth control pills
should be used with caution.
     In selecting a birth control pill, your doctor will choose the one that
offers the lowest possible dose of estrogen combined with the least potent
dose of progestin that are still effective for you.  This offers the benefits
of fertility control with the fewest side effects.  Recent improvements in
birth control pills have lowered the effective doses of hormones they contain.
Women vary widely in what combination of hormones they can comfortably and
effectively take in a pill.  Breakthrough bleeding, or vaginal spotting
between periods, is a sign that dosage may not be high enough.  When you take
birth control pills, it is especially important that you see your doctor
regularly.  Report any headaches, blurred vision or other symptoms you may
have.  Common side effects that are also important and should be reported are
breast tenderness, weight gain, and nausea and vomiting, but they usually only
require a small adjustment in dosage.
     Birth control pills offer you no protection against venereal disease or
AIDS, so do not rely on them for this important part of your sexual health.
     In years past, it was often thought that women should take breaks from
the pill, allowing themselves to cycle naturally without interference about
once a year for a couple of months.  This is no longer thought to be of
importance, and most physicians do not advise their patients to stop the
pills unless a problem is noticed.
     Birth control pills are a most effective way to control your fertility,
and they are safe if used carefully.  This is no different from any other
drug--an informed patient is the healthiest patient.  Intelligent use of birth
control pills will protect you from both pregnancy and side effects.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.