Is it REALLY safe??

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2006
Is it REALLY safe??
2
Thu, 05-25-2006 - 10:46am
I have been on orthotrycyclin for 6-8years. I am getting way into organics, all natural etc., and doing alot of research into things that are said to be "safe" but really are not. I am concerned that birth control could be one of these things. How much research has actually been done. What effects is this drug having on me now, in 10 years from now, in 50 years from now. Will we find 20 years down the road that woman who take them are twice as likely to get cancer? It scares me. I am engaged, and my fiance and I have unprotected sex, and rely on the pill. But we are considering buying condoms instead, or just paying attention to my ovulation cycle. Am I crazy? Is there really nothing to be afraid of? thanks!
Kelli in VT
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2005
Thu, 05-25-2006 - 2:03pm
The pill has been commonly available since the 1960's, and is one of the most thoroughly studied medications on the market today. The pill does have potentially harmful side effects, like any medication. These risks are higher for smokers and women with risk factors for certain types of heart disease. But, it also has potential health benefits, such as a reduction in ovarian cancer risk and a reduction in anemia. There is plenty of information out there about the pill, just make sure that you are getting your information from a non-biased *medical* organization (because some "pro-life" groups are putting inaccurate or outdated information on the web as a scare tactic.) The most important thing you can do is talk to your doctor, who will have better information about your specific health conditions. If you decide you want to go off hormonal birth control, there are non-hormonal methods, such as non-hormonal IUD's, diaphrams, and fertility awareness methods. But each of those has their own risks, positives, and negatives. Nothing is perfect, you just have to make the best choice for you.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2005
Thu, 05-25-2006 - 2:07pm
there are good things and bad things about ever prescription and herbal drug I guess....I guess it all depends on your level of comfort with the risks...I started taking the pill with I was 18 to have easier/more manageable/reliable periods.I took it until I got married and decided to have a baby a few years ago.I have chronic high blood pressure and other health problems and now my dr won't put me on any pill and it's too dangerous for us to get pregnant again due to those health reasons so I just recently had a tubal/ablation.For me the pill was worth the risks taking it.It made my life easier.Honestly I wish I had started taking the pill earlier when my periods were really awful in high school.But not to start a debate or anything but it's just up to you to decide what's right for you....((HUGS)) KUDOS to you for researching and KNOWING the truth about what drugs you're taking whether they're prescription or herbal......
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