A convenient, reliable, and safe method of contraception, birth control pills provide a high level of protection against pregnancy when used consistently as directed. These are the most commonly used form of reversible birth control in the country, the choice of nearly 13% of women using contraception, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Many women are concerned with the long-term effects of using birth control pills for years, best expressed as, “Is there a limit to how long you can take birth control pills?” While every woman has their own personal risk factors, using birth control pills for extended periods of time alongside regular medical supervision is generally regarded as safe.
Gynecologist John A. Whitfield, MD, and his team can help you understand the use, side effects, and long-term risks of oral contraceptive use while keeping you informed of alternatives and best practices.
The short answer to this key question is no; there are no recommendations about an upper time limit for oral contraceptive use. Most healthy women can use birth control pills indefinitely, until they wish to become pregnant, decide on another contraceptive method, or reach menopause.
There are, however, exceptions for some women. Let’s look at some scenarios where you might wish to limit the time you spend using birth control pills.
Birth control pills use hormones to reduce your ability to become pregnant. Sometimes, when hormone levels in your body change, you must deal with the effects of these changes.
Short-term side effects can include:
Most women have few long-term side effects.
Birth control pills may cause a slight increase in your risk of breast or cervical cancer. In both cases, these risks fade after you discontinue oral contraceptive use.
On the flip side, using birth control pills over the long term may reduce your risk of colorectal, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, though the reasons for this aren’t yet clear.
If you have additional cancer risk factors, you may wish to choose other contraceptive methods.
Oral contraceptives may increase your risk of blood clot formation, which, in turn, increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. The risk factor is associated with birth control pills using both estrogen and progesterone, so those with a history of blood clot issues may wish to choose progesterone-only pills or another form of contraception.
Women who smoke already have an elevated risk for blood clots, cancer, and heart attacks. Birth control pills can add to these risk factors, and you may be better suited for non-hormonal contraceptive methods.
There’s a right family planning method for you. Contact the birth control specialists at Dr. Whitfield’s Fort Worth Texas office to arrange your personal consultation. You can reach us at 817-927-2229, so book your appointment today.
