Health Conditions and Contraceptives

Family planning means that women have control over their reproductive health, they have the right and the chance to select contraceptives and the treatment of infertility on request, they have the right to have children only in case they want. Every woman should have access to medical care, birth control and contraceptive methods that are the best and safest choice for them. They should avoid unintended pregnancy, without risking their health.

Every woman’s system is different. One contraceptive method may be the best choice for one woman and may not be good for the other.

Health Risks

Some women live with health problems; they have to consider their health issues when they select family planning methods.

If you are a woman in the reproductive years and you have one or more sexual partners, you have to use protection. Some contraceptive methods might be unsafe for you if you have any of the following conditions:

·         you are over 35

·         you smoke

·         you are overweight

·         you have lipid problems

·         diabetes

·         cardiovascular problems

·         blood clots

·         sickle cell disease

·         fibrocystic breast changes or you have a family member who has had breast cancer

·         issues with coagulation

·         human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you should avoid combination contraceptives, patches, transdermal contraceptives or vaginal rings. Progestin-only contraceptives are still safe for you.

Oral Contraception

Combination pills contain estrogen and progestin, female hormones.

Progesterone only pills, also known as mini-pills, do not contain any estrogen. Since they do not cause so much hormonal changes, they are safer.

Emergency contraception pills contain a large dose of hormones, they are not for daily use. You should take them when you have had unprotected sex or the condom broke.

If you had any non-malignant breast disease or a family history of breast cancer, you can still take oral contraceptives. Ask your gynecologist about safe contraceptive methods. They may tell you to use progesterone only pills.

If you have ever had venous thromboembolism, you should not use combination contraceptives.

If you are over 35 and you smoke, you combination contraceptives are not your safest choices.

If you live with coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease or congestive heart failure, you can use progestin-only contraceptives; however, you must avoid combined oral contraceptives.

If you live with ischemic heart disease, you should not use combination contraceptives, you should avoid progestin only pills, implants and injections.

If you have multiple risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (family history, age over 35, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, type 2 diabetes, poor diet, smoking, alcohol abuse), avoid combined pill, patch, ring and injections.

If you have ever had a stroke, you must not take combination contraceptives.

If you are an overweight woman over 35, you should not use combination contraceptives, because you are at risk of venous thrombotic embolism.

According to the National Cancer Institute, oral contraceptives may increase the risk of breast, cervical and liver cancers.

Benefits of Combined Contraceptives

Women in their menopausal years can take combination oral contraceptives, since it improves bone density. The Cancer Council Australia claims that oral contraceptives reduce the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers.

Warning

Before you select any birth control method, always consult with a health care expert. Vague general information from the Internet will not make up for a visit at your gynecologist.