For the Complete Article from Drugs.com May 27 2020 Click Here

Risks of the pill

            

• Blood clots
• Heart attacks
• Stroke
• Gallbladder disease
• Liver tumors
• Cancer of the reproductive organs
• Elevated triglycerides and pancreatitis

The choice of birth control is individual for each woman. Some women may have medical conditions that prevent them from using birth control pills, while other women may be at higher risk for side effects due to age or smoking status. There are some disadvantages to using the birth control pill, and women should consider these risks and discuss them with their health care provider.

Birth control pills can lead to a higher risk for blood clots, heart attack, and stroke in women who smoke, especially if older than 35 years of age. Birth control pills should NOT be used by women who are over 35 years of age and smoke.

Taking a pill every day may be difficult for some people. If you miss a pill, you may need to use another form of birth control (i.e., condom) during your cycle. If you think you'll have trouble taking a pill every day, an IUD may be a better option for you.

The birth control pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Only a condom can protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

The pill has a <1% failure rate (meaning less than 1 out of 100 women unintentionally become pregnant) if used perfectly, without missing any pills. However, for women who miss taking their pills, the failure rate goes up to roughly 5%, or 5 out of 100 women become pregnant unintentionally.

There can be drug interactions that may lower the effectiveness of birth control pills (for example, rifampin, some seizure medications, some HIV drugs, modafinil, and other drugs). Be sure to ask your pharmacist about potential drug interactions each time you have a prescription filled. Tell them the names of all of the drugs you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins or herbal dietary supplements like St. Johns Wort or other herbs.

Spotting (breakthrough bleeding) may occur (mid-cycle) for the first few months of birth control use as your body adjusts to the changes in hormone levels. Breakthrough bleeding may be worse with extended- or continuous-cycle birth control pills or with progestin-only pills. 

Birth control pills can cause breast pain or vaginal dryness; these side effects may continue with use or subside.

A progestin called drospirenone is found in some birth control pills (examples include: Slynd, Yaz, Yasmin, Gianvi, Syeda, Safyral, Beyaz, Loryna, Jasmiel, Nikki, Ocella, Zarah) and is linked to a higher risk for blood clots than other birth control pills. Drospirenone may also raise potassium levels in the blood which may cause heart or health problems. It is important to discuss your health history with your doctor prior to using these birth control pills.

After stopping the pill, it may take several months or longer to begin ovulating again if pregnancy is desired.

Some women may find that the progestin-only birth control can affect their milk supply, especially when they first start breastfeeding. If you start using a progestin-only pill and your milk supply decreases, talk with your doctor about ways to increase your milk supply or other options for preventing pregnancy.⁶

The birth control pill requires a prescription from a healthcare provider. While this may seem inconvenient, it is important to have a regular checkup with your doctor when using the birth control pill.^1,2

The birth control pill may require a monthly cost or copay, and therefore may not be affordable for all women. Generic birth control pills are less expensive, but just as effective. Most insurance plans will cover birth control at no cost in the US; check with your plan to see which pills are covered on their formulary. If you don't have insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist about low-cost or free options for birth control. 

Warnings for birth control pill use

Women who use oral contraceptives should not smoke. Smoking increases the risk of serious side effects when using the pill. Heavy smoking (> 15 cigarettes per day) may be linked with an especially high risk. Birth control should NOT be used in women over 35 years of age who smoke due to an increased risk of serious side effects, such as heart attack, blood clots, and stroke, which may lead to death.

Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) risks increase with age, weight, family history of heart disease, and number of cigarettes smoked per day.

You should not use the pill if you have had any of the following conditions:

• Heart attack or stroke.
• Blood clots in the legs (thrombophlebitis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), or eyes.
• Blood clots in the deep veins of your legs.
• Known or suspected breast cancer or cancer of the lining of the uterus, cervix, or vagina or certain hormonally-sensitive cancers.
• Liver tumor (benign or cancerous).
• Pregnant or think you are pregnant.

Or, if you have any of the following:

• Chest pain (angina pectoris).
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding (until a diagnosis is reached by your doctor).
• Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or of the skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or during previous use of the pill.
• Known or suspected pregnancy.
• Heart valve or heart rhythm disorders that may be associated with formation of blood clots.
• Diabetes affecting your circulation.
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Active liver disease with abnormal liver function tests.
• Take any Hepatitis C drug combination containing ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir. This may increase levels of the liver enzyme "alanine aminotransferase" (ALT) in the blood.
• Allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the components (active or inactive ingredients) of your birth control regimen

Tell your health-care provider if you have ever had any of these conditions. Your health-care provider can recommend another method of birth control.

The birth control pill does not protect against any form of sexually transmitted disease (STD), including HIV and AIDS. A condom should be used in combination with any other form of birth control for protection against STDs.

Tell your health-care provider if you or any family member has ever had:

• Breast nodules, fibrocystic disease of the breast, an abnormal breast X-ray or mammogram.
• Diabetes.
• Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides.
• High blood pressure.
• A tendency to form blood clots.
• Migraine or other headaches or epilepsy.
• Mental depression.
• Gallbladder, heart, or kidney disease.
• History of scanty or irregular menstrual periods.

Women with any of these conditions should be checked often by their health-care provider if they choose to use oral contraceptives. Also, be sure to inform your doctor or health-care provider if you smoke or are on any medications.

The pill and breastfeeding

Breastfeeding mothers should avoid estrogen in combination hormonal birth control (which contain both estrogen and progestin) as it may reduce milk supply.

Birth control options for breastfeeding women include IUDs, progestin only pills (“mini-pills”), the implant or the birth control shot.³ Condoms and abstinence are other options, but may be less reliable in preventing pregnancy.

Side effects with the pill

• Spotting or vaginal bleeding between periods (breakthrough bleeding)
• Possible weight gain or fluid retention
• Breast swelling or tenderness
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Mood changes
• Melasma (darkening of skin, often on the face)
• Contact lens changes

Other side effects

Other side effects may include nausea, breast tenderness, change in appetite, headache, nervousness, depression, dizziness, loss of scalp hair, rash, vaginal infections, inflammation of the pancreas, and allergic reactions.

If any of these side effects bother you, call your doctor or health-care provider.

Serious side effects with the pill

• Blurred vision
• Severe stomach pain
• Severe headache
• Swelling or pain in the legs
• Chest pain, heart attack, blood clots, stroke which may be fatal.

Call your doctor immediately or get emergency help if any of these effects occur while you are taking oral contraceptives:

• Sharp chest pain, coughing of blood, or sudden shortness of breath (indicating a possible clot in the lung).
• Pain in the calf (indicating a possible clot in the leg).
• Crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest (indicating a possible heart attack).
• Sudden severe headache or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, disturbances of vision or speech, weakness, or numbness in an arm or leg (indicating a possible stroke).
• Sudden partial or complete loss of vision (indicating a possible clot in the eye).
• Breast lumps (indicating possible breast cancer or fibrocystic disease of the breast; ask your doctor or health-care provider to show you how to examine your breasts).
• Severe pain or tenderness in the stomach area (indicating a possibly ruptured liver tumor).
• Difficulty in sleeping, weakness, lack of energy, fatigue, or change in mood (possibly indicating severe depression).
• Jaundice or a yellowing of the skin or eyeballs, accompanied frequently by fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, or light-colored bowel movements (indicating possible liver problems).

This is not all the information you need to know about safe and effective use of birth control pills. Review the full product information leaflet for your specific birth control product and speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions or concerns.

See Also

• Birth Control Pills
• Birth Control Pills - Periods
• Birth Control Pills and Breakthrough Bleeding
• Emergency Contraception
• Emergency Contraceptives Available in the U.S.
• Grapefruit and Birth Control Pills: Your Questions Answered
• Hormonal Birth Control (Non-Pill Options)
• Missed taking your birth control pill? Here's what to do next
• Non-hormonal Birth Control
• Permanent Birth Control

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

How Does it Work?

XPL7 is a vaginal contraceptive suppository. When it is used within 72 hours (3 Days) after an unprotected sexual exposure it can prevent pregnancy.
Proposed Mechanism of action: The plant based formualtion in XPL7 promotes the formation of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins act in a manner similar to that of hormones, by stimulating target cells into action. However, they differ from hormones in that they act locally, near their site of synthesis, and they are metabolized very rapidly. Prostaglandins have diverse actions dependent on cell type but are known to generally cause smooth muscle contractions, dilation and constriction of blood vessels. The vasoconstrictive and muscle constricting activities of prostaglandins contribute to the normal sloughing of the endometrial lining during menstruation. The fatty acids in the herbal formulation are synthesised into Prostaglandins which may trigger and or accelerate this process. The herbal formulation contained in XPL7 contains some fatty acids that are converted into Prostaglandins by the body tissue and can produce their effects on a cell level in the endothelium.
These prostagalndins cause localized smooth muscle contractions in the lining of uterus which disturb the lining and prevent implantation.
The effects of Prostaglandins on the reproductive process have been well documented in the scientific literature.Sune Bergstrom a swedish scientist won the Nobel Prize in 1982 for his work on Prostaglandins.
Analgesics like Aspirin and other pain killer medications supress or prevent the formation of Prostaglandins and will reduce the effectiveness of XPL7.
IMPORTANT: Do Not Take Aspirin or Other Analgesics or Pain Killer medications at least 6 Hours before and 2 Hours After Using XPL7.
XPL7 is a herbal formulation. It does not detect diagnose treat or cure any disease. Not FDA approved.

It is Safe. No Hormones No Toxins certificate

Here is a certificate from an independent testing lab in the USA which certifies that this product is safe and that it does not contain any toxic compounds or steroids (hormones).

IMPORTANT: Do not take Aspirin or other Analgesics or Pain Killer medications at least six hours before and 2 hours after using XPL7.
XPL7 is a herbal formulation. It does not detect diagnose treat or cure any disease. Not FDA approved.

User Testimonials

Here are some of the testimonials for XPL7 from actual users who have used this prduct since it was launched in 2000.

• thanks for all your help!!... PLEASE put this on your website!:
  i absolutley loved XPL7! it was a dream come true! it was easily accessable, and you dont need to go to a docter, hospital, or even step foot out of your own home!! there was no side affects, like there is with the morning after pill. i could not thank you more for this product!! i was VERY nervous about using a product that i was unaware of, but online aide helped me out with every one of my concerns!! i deffinitly recommend this product to everyone and anyone! ...

• I used the product after being quite sure that i was potentially carrying. i was skeptical because of how my body handles vaginal products, but i had absolutely no adverse reaction to the product, and came out of the experience without undesirable conditions. i would highly recommend this product, and if the event arose again, i would definitely reorder....

• Yes, i am very satisfied with this product, it safe and easy to use. What a miracle worker! thank you very much.

• Thanks for your fast dependable service. I am thrilled to have found your product. Since I'm over 30, traditional birth control methods such as 'the pill' are an unhealthy choice for me. Thank you for providing a safe and effective alternative. I've purchased more than once and will surely purchase again

• I am over 40 and I have been using XPL7 for the last 3 years. The pills have so many side affects I was looking for something more natural and safer.My friend recommended this product as she uses it. It is wonderful and so easy to use. I am very satisfied. I travel quite often and it's so easy to just take it with you. I love the convenience of it. Your service is always fast and dependable. Thanks so much for such a great product. I will definitely continue to order...

• I was so thrilled to find a product that was all natural and effective. Having to take the pill or any other inconvenient methods was not an option for me. This product is absolutly the best thing I could have found it's like a dream come true..

• To say I am am happy with your product would be an understatement. Thanks so much for putting this product out there for us ....

• I like your product very much and have purchased twice before....

• I have only been using this for a short while but I am very pleased with the results. I like the fact that there do not seem to be any side effects as in birth control pills. It's also very easy to use. My friend told me about this and she is still ordering from you too.

• I was very impressed with XPL7. I had never used anything like this before and was a little nervous about it... I was VERY glad to find a natural alternative to the morning after pill. It was very easy to use and comfortable. The only thing I experienced from it was slight cramping but I slept through it and didn't have to take anything for it. I was very happy with the product and will reccommend it to anyone in need of the morning after pill. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

• I would be more than happy to tell everyone that this product really works, the service was excellent, I was really surprised because my period is always very on time. Thanks to everyone that works for XPL7!

• I am quite thrilled with your product to say the least. My current age is 46 and I have had no problems with XPL7 or any side effects since I started using it three years ago. It's easy to use and the fact that it's natural is a hugh plus in my book. I am a healer and try my best not to take any thing that is synthetic so obviously the "pill" was out of the question. The only thing that I don't like about it is the leakage that occurs as it melts during the night...that's a little messy but I can deal with it. Keep up the good work!!!