The first birth control pills were released in 1960 and have since become the most popular contraceptive, with statistics indicating they are used by approximately 70 million women worldwide. But like any new medication, they were plagued by side effects, causing panic among regular users.
The first wave of oral contraceptive withdrawal swept across Europe in 1968, when British scientists suggested that the high estrogen content of the pill increased the risk of thrombosis. The drug's manufacturers heeded the criticism, and newer formulations with a reduced estrogen dose of 20-30 micrograms replaced the first-generation pills.
In 1977, second-generation contraceptives came under fire: it was discovered that circulatory diseases could be caused by the progestogen in the pill. Women over 35, smokers, and those taking the pill for more than five years were at greatest risk. Birth control pills were also found to affect metabolism.
Taking into account the listed unfavorable factors, in 1980 third-generation tablets were released, of course, with a new, improved combination.
In 1995, the latest generation of contraceptives began to dominate the market. Then a new boom began: previously unknown data from several medical centers was published, indicating that the third-generation formula was even more dangerous than its predecessor. As a result, some countries, such as Germany, banned women under 30 from receiving third-generation pills. Official studies revealed that the alarming conclusions were due to the fact that the ratio of prescribed medications (70% third-generation and 15% second-generation) was not taken into account in the calculations. The media-blown scandal led to a sharp increase in abortions in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and England.
In Russia, it's impossible to obtain definitive information on side effects, as oral contraceptives are sold over-the-counter in pharmacies. Russian doctors often disagree. Some believe the drug's effect on the body can only be determined by taking it, but most still believe that prescribing the drug should be done after a thorough hormonal analysis. Some doctors believe that, given the unfavorable hormonal balance many women experience, oral contraceptives should be used very rarely.
In addition to their contraceptive effect, birth control pills reduce the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer by 50% and provide limited protection against infection. They regulate menstrual cycles, provide relief from acne and seborrhea within a few months, and some medications also have antiandrogenic properties, which is important for women with elevated male hormone levels (although this requires taking the pill for about a year).
Possible side effects of almost every medication include headache, chest tightness, depression, changes in libido, and weight. In some cases, bleeding may occur during the first month or, at most, the first three months of taking the pills.
Although doctors say this is normal, it is still worth consulting with them again on this issue.