What is the case studies of the birth control pill?

Answer 1

The "Pill" 50 years later. What do we know? BCP are highly effective at preventing pregnancy when taken as directed, with a low incidence of side effects.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, oral contraceptives are the leading Birth Control method used by women age 30 and younger (17%)

(1) A. George Thomas, clinical associate professor, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City. "After 50 years of use, we take for granted that women are fully informed about the Pill, but I find that many of my patients are not. These survey results confirm that we need to do a better job educating women."

Myth: 61% of women surveyed said BCPs caused them to gain weight.

Fact: An equal number of women tend to gain weight, as lose weight while taking a birth control pill. While others had no change. In clinical studies women had no more weight gain from BCP, than women who were taking placebo pills.

Myth: Women need a break from BCP every year, three years, five years.

Fact: Research shows that women do not need to take a break from the Pill." Health-care professionals can prescribe birth control pills to healthy, nonsmoking women over 40. "Today, more women are using the Pill and staying on it longer," said Dr. Thomas. "But, how long a woman stays on the Pill is something she should discuss with her health-care professional.

Myth: BCPs cause infertility.

Fact: When a woman is ready to become pregnant, she should consult her health-care professional and stop taking her birth control pills. Most women experience a rapid return to fertility. There is no clinical evidence that the Pill affects fertility.

Myth: Birth control pills increase your risk of developing breast cancer.

Fact: While some studies have reported an increase in the risk of developing Breast cancer, the majority of studies have found no overall increase in this risk.

Risks and Side Effects of Birth Control Pills

The Pill is not for everyone. Although most side effects of oral contraceptives are not serious, and occur infrequently, there are some side effects which can be life threatening. The most serious risks associated with pill use include blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks. These risks are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially in women over 35. It is strongly advised that women who use oral contraceptive not smoke.

(1) A. George Thomas, clinical associate professor,

Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City.

• ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science
• Medical Director of "The Door," a well known Adolescent Health Center in SoHo,
• committed to caring for NYC's neediest adolescents.

What is new in Hormonal Birth Control:

Studies show that both progestin-only and combined emergency contraceptive pills (EC) can prevent or delay ovulation. If you take emergency contraceptive pills before fertilization, they may interfere with the process of fertilizing the egg, for instance making it harder for the egg or the sperm to travel in your reproductive tract.

Levonorgestrel was approved as an OTC medication for Emergency Contraception in 2006, (age dropped from 18 to 17 in 2009, but barriers to access still exist. Myths and political controversy about emergency contraception have limited its access to adolescent girls, despite its demonstrated safety and effectiveness.

Q: What is the difference between emergency contraception, the "morning after pill", and the "day after pill"?

A: These pills, while called by different names are one and the same.

Myth: You must wait a day before taking 'the next day"- emergency contraceptive pills (EC).

Fact: The sooner you take them the better chance of success. Take them as soon as you can after having unprotected sex, or birth control failure. (Condom breaks, diaphragm slips, unplanned - unprotected sex) for up to 5 days. Just remember the best chance of success is the first 24 hours.

Myth: If I am pregnant Plan B - Emergency Contraceptive will cause me to have a miscarriage or an abortion.

Fact: It can be confusing, but EC in the US sold under the brand name "Plan B" or "Next Choice" - contains Levonorgestrel the same hormone found in many BCP and in the IUD - Mirena.

EC pills prevent pregnancy, so they work differently than the abortion pill. Plan B - Emergency Contraceptive (EC), like normal BCP works by suppressing ovulation and it thickens cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to maneuver through a woman's reproductive tract. Plan B will not disrupt a pregnancy after implantation has taken place. It will not cause an abortion.

RU-486 - (the French abortion pill) contains a completely different drug than the hormones used for EC (emergency contraception).

Myth: Having EC available to any who ask for it - will increase promiscuity in teenagers and they will stop using condoms.

Fact: Several studies have showed this to be untrue - emergency contraception does not increase promiscuity nor decrease condom use, but these erroneous beliefs are still widely held. Identifying the need and providing the answers gives women (and/or couples) the opportunity to make healthy choices about very personal issues.

James Trussell Professor of Economics and Public Affairs Director,

Office of Population Research, Princeton University

The Emergency Contraception Website and associated Hotline were started in 1994 and 1996, respectively, by Dr. James Trussell who is currently the Director of the Office of Population Research at Princeton University.

Dr. Trussell has actively promoted making emergency contraception more widely available as an important step in reducing the incidence of unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion. His research and advocacy efforts have made a significant impact on the availability and correct use of emergency contraception both in the United States and abroad.

The above information on EC is garnered from reading several of the studies Dr Trussell has published over the last 15 years on EC and birth control and from the website NOT-2-LATE.com

I would like to thank Dr Trussell for taking the time to answer my questions regarding EC and for leaving the many articles he has published free to review on-line.