Patient's question:
A 30-year-old woman has been taking long-acting oral contraceptives for two years. Is it harmful to her body?Doctor's answer:
During the use of long-acting birth control pills, one may experience nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms similar to early pregnancy, and vaginal discharge may also increase.Mechanism of Action
To inhibit ovulation and prevent implantation.
Advantages
- High efficacy, long duration, reversible, does not require daily administration, easy to use and distribute, and does not affect sexual activity.
Disadvantages
Some women may experience an increase in menstrual flow and a prolonged menstrual period after taking long-acting birth control pills. It may also cause irregular bleeding.
Precautions During Use
Regular health check-ups should be conducted, including breast exams, liver function tests, blood pressure monitoring, and cervical smears. If abnormalities are found, the medication should be discontinued.
Breastfeeding women should not start taking long-acting birth control pills until at least 6 months after delivery. Non-breastfeeding women should wait at least 6 weeks postpartum before using them.
Irregular Menstruation
Long-acting birth control pills should not be stopped abruptly. Instead, short-acting birth control pills should be taken for three months before discontinuing to allow hormone levels in the body to gradually decline and prevent excessive bleeding.
Generally, it is recommended that women who have not borne children should avoid taking long-acting birth control pills. If pregnancy is desired after taking the medication, the pills should be stopped for at least 3 months before considering conception.