In 1960, the U.S. FDA gave its initial approval for the world’s first commercial birth control pill. Since then, hormonal contraception has become widely used, with a 99% success rate in avoiding pregnancy. However, there is more to know about hormonal contraception besides its effectiveness.

In this article, Women’s health specialists at Manvi Hospitals Andhra Pradesh will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of this birth control method, so that you can make a knowledgeable decision if you are considering using hormonal contraception. 

The Advantages of Hormonal Birth Control

Hormonal contraceptives utilise man-made versions of two female sex hormones: a progestin (progesterone medication) and estrogen, to prevent pregnancy.

To this day, Harmonal contraception continues to be a popular birth control option for several reasons, including:

1. Decreased menstrual bleeding and cramping, which in turn reduces the chance of developing Anemia 
2. Reduced pain during ovulation
3. Decreased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
4. Decreased risk of fibrocystic breast changes
5. Lower risk of ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus
6. Reduced risk of ovarian cysts and also ovarian and endometrial cancers
7. Potential relief of endometriosis symptoms, where the tissue that usually lines the uterus grows outside of it
8. No need for interruptions in intercourse 
   

The Disadvantages of Hormonal Birth Control

Like any other form of birth control, hormonal contraception has some drawbacks, including:

1. Pills must be taken daily.
2. Progestin-only pills can lead to more irregular periods or spotting.
3. It may lower your HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
4. If you had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, it may increase your risk of developing diabetes.
5. Patches can lose their effectiveness when exposed to direct sunlight or high heat.
6. Patches release more estrogen than low-dose birth control pills, increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in the legs, or formation of thrombus in brain and other parts of the body.
7. It may result in bone loss (osteoporosis). 

Moreover, hormonal birth control pills may not be suitable for everyone. For instance, if you are over 35 years old and a smoker, you should avoid birth control that contains estrogen, but you can use progestin-only pills.