ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS

It has been widely used in the world since the mid-1960s.

Contains estrogen and progesterone hormones.

There have been two major improvements with time, which significantly reduced OCP-related complications and side effects.
       o Reduction of estrogen dose
       o Synthesis of new generation progesterones

Most of OCP on the market include 21 days of active substance and 7 days of placebo. One product is 24 + 4.

When used regularly, the contraceptive  success is around 99%. Forgotten pills increase the rate of unwanted pregnancies. If one  remembers that she forgot to take the pill previous day she should take two pills. If two or more tablets are forgotten, additional contraceptive method should be used and start a new box.

 Benefits of OCP other than contraception
      o Regular menstruation
      o Less or no menstrual pain
      o Reduced risk of anemia due to lesser bleeding
      o To be able to manipulate the menstrual period for the weekends and holiday program
     o Decreased incidence of Ovarian cysts, benign breast diseases, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and ectopic pregnancy
      o Reduction in unwanted hair growth (Hirsutism)
      o Reduced risk of uterine and ovarian cancer in the long term

Side effects: First of all, it is important to note that birth control pills do not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Although side effects  reduced by newly developed OCP and reduced doses, it is possible to see some side effects. The most common ones;
     o Nausea
     o Headache
     o Breast tenderness
     o Amenorrhea
     o Slight weight gain

WHO SHOULD NOT USE OCP?
     o Arterial or venous thromboembolism (clotting-induced vascular occlusion)
     o Active liver disease
     o breast and female genital system cancers
     o Diabetes patients with vascular complications
     o Smokers over 35
     o Pregnancy
     o Breastfeeding
     o Undiagnosed menstrual bleeding disorders
     o Migraine 
     o Uncontrolled hypertension

CANCER RELATIONSHIPS: As a result of the studies, it was found that the risk of breast cancer in current and previous users is slightly increased. One explanation fort this slight increased risk is these women go for breast cancer screening  more frequently. This risk is normalized  10 years after OCP use.  Again, the reported slight increase in risk of cervical cancer has not been fully clarified whether it is due to OCP itself  or  the need for contraception at an earlier age and HPV infection due to multiple partners.