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The Pill is associated with risks of high blood pressure, blood dotting (thrombosis), and cardiovascular disease; but evidence suggests stronger bones for women who have used the Pill for extensive periods of time. The positive effect on bones is related to the amounts of oestrogen and progestogen in the oral contraceptives, with these hormones also probably stimulating the release of calcitonin to inhibit bone reduction. The Pill may maintain or strengthen your bone mass.
But even the new oral contraceptives are not risk-free, and they can interact with other drugs you may be taking, altering their effectiveness – certain antibiotics, epilepsy drugs, antiinflammatory or anti-arthritic drugs and barbiturates, for instance. Your doctor will probably only prescribe them if you -
are under the age of thirty-five,
do not smoke,
have normal or low blood pressure and normal cholesterol
are no more than 30 per cent overweight,
have never had diabetes, liver or gallbladder disease; cancer
of the liver, breast or reproductive tract (uterus, ovaries or cervix); epilepsy, migraine headaches, or exposure to DES (Diethylstilbesterol) before you were born.
Read the ‘patient leaflet’ that usually comes with oral contraceptives. They tend to change your body chemistry and the use your body makes of food nutrients. Consequently you may have a deficiency in vitamin B6, vitamin C and folic acid that you will need to make up with generous servings of orange juice, wholegrain breads and green vegetables daily.
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