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Are there any side effects of oral contraceptive pills?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Is it safe to use the tablet Althea as a contraceptive pill? If so, what are the things that I should remember before and while using it? Like side effects, health complications, and how should I use it correctly.

Answered by Dr. Uzma Arqam

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr Uzma Arqam is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist with clinical experience of 21 years in handling patients. She completed her Diploma in Gynecology And Obstetrics at Royal College of Physicians, Ireland, University of Dublin, and MBBS at the University of Karachi. Currently, she is practicing in Rauha Consultant Clinics, in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. She is more interested in treating gynaecology cases of different ages of women to guide them have health precautions and daily life tips to prevent long-term effects developed with or without ageing.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

It is combined oral contraceptive pills that should be avoided for a long time. All hormonal contraceptive pills can have short and long-term effects and the individual body responds to them differently. Some have fewer and some have more side effects. Hypertension, obesity, stroke, history of clot formation, systemic lupus erythematosus, and migraine all are contraindications for combined oral contraceptive pills. Combined oral contraceptive pills can give mood variations, weight gain, unscheduled bleeding, stroke, hypertension, breast engorgement, puffiness of the body, endometrial hyperplasia, and breast and endometrial cancer. It is not necessary that all possible side effects would be observed in all patients. It depends on how the individual body responds. Progesterone injection for three months is also another nice option for those who want to avoid pills and combined contraceptives. Do not use the same contraceptive for a long time. Try to use other than hormonal methods as well like withdrawal, avoid in the fertile period, and condoms. You can have the tablet Ponsan (Mefenamic acid) 500 mgs for pain at or just before the start of periods.

  • Eat a healthy diet, with less oil, sugar, salt, and spice.
  • Implants and progesterone-only pills are also good if you have headaches.
  • Maitain a normal BMI (body mass index) and weight.
  • Have complete check and treatment of any health issue if you have .
  • Daily exercise and walk with nice recreational activity.

I hope you get my point.

Best of luck.

Answered by Dr. Uzma Arqam
Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At May 21, 2023
Reviewed At July 24, 2023

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr Uzma Arqam is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist with clinical experience of 21 years in handling patients. She completed her Diploma in Gynecology And Obstetrics at Royal College of Physicians, Ireland, University of Dublin, and MBBS at the University of Karachi. Currently, she is practicing in Rauha Consultant Clinics, in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. She is more interested in treating gynaecology cases of different ages of women to guide them have health precautions and daily life tips to prevent long-term effects developed with or without ageing.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr Uzma Arqam is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist with clinical experience of 21 years in handling patients. She completed her Diploma in Gynecology And Obstetrics at Royal College of Physicians, Ireland, University of Dublin, and MBBS at the University of Karachi. Currently, she is practicing in Rauha Consultant Clinics, in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. She is more interested in treating gynaecology cases of different ages of women to guide them have health precautions and daily life tips to prevent long-term effects developed with or without ageing.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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