How long should a woman continue using oral or intrauterine contraceptives?

Question

Hi doctor,

I want to know about contraceptives. Considering their side effects which is good oral or intra uterine contraceptive. I have heard that oral contraceptives lead to weight gain and infertility after using for long term. Also, intra uterine contraceptive leads to infection. Please let me know which is good and for how long should we continue.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Hormonal contraceptives have sex hormones that affect not only the reproductive system but also the whole body. It is better not to use the same hormones and the same contraceptive for a long time to prevent side effects. The natural methods like avoiding sex in the fertile period, withdrawal methods, and condoms can be used as they have no side effects.

Mirena is an intrauterine contraceptive device that can be used for three years but it gradually reduces menstrual bleeding and then scanty or no menses in some patients.
Similarly, implant also can be used for years and secretes hormones. So it is better not to have it for many years.
Injectable Medroxyprogesterone for 12 weeks can be taken. But its prolonged use can resulted in irregular bleeding, weight gain, bone pain, and bone loss.
Combined oral contraceptive pills can have side effects such as high blood pressure, stroke, headache, mood variations, endometrial hyperplasia, and breast and endometrial cancer in long term.
Progesterone pills have also similar side effects as injection Medroxyprogesterone.

So, it is better to have one contraceptive method for a short time and then change it to another to prevent its side effects. Revert back to fertility after skipping contraceptive also differs from person to person. It depends on a person's hormonal balance and body's response as well. I hope your query is resolved. For further queries feel free to connect.