Are you new to taking birth control pills? Chances are you’ve seen all the commercials about the ability to shorten your monthly period significantly. And chances are you are thrilled at the idea of having just three periods a year. But do you know the risks that are greatly involved? Do you know the side effects you can experience? What these commercials do not tell you is that there is the possibility of having a bleeding uterine fibroid that can cause you to almost bleed to death. These commercials don’t tell you that the side effects are far more greater than they are leading to believe, and that the makers of these birth controls have the burden of proof and are obligated to share this information with consumers (i.e., women who opt to take these pills).
Study is not given enough to the severity of these side effects that are not widely reported. Women who are experiencing problems with taking Seasonique or Beyaz or Yaz (now Beyaz) should come forward and tell their story, what they went through, how significant the problem was, and what they had to undergo in order to solve/treat the problem.
What should make any woman have second thoughts about Beyaz (formerly Yaz, because you don’t see Yaz commercials anymore) is the statement that says, “Beyaz increases the risk of serious conditions including blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. The risk of blood clots is highest during the first year of use.
In addition, Beyaz contains drospirenone, a different kind of hormone that for some may increase potassium too much. Consult your healthcare provider if you are on daily long-term treatment for a chronic condition with medications that may also increase potassium, as you should have a blood test to check your potassium level during the first month of taking Beyaz.”
The site also stated that in clinical trials, the most common side effects were headache/migraine, menstrual irregularities, nausea/vomiting, breast pain/tenderness, fatigue, irritability, decreased libido, weight gain and mood changes.
Seasonique’s side effects are associated with similar to those of other birth control pills, including bleeding or spotting between periods, nausea, breast tenderness and headache. They say that additional side effects that were reported by “>5% of women taking Seasonique in clinical trials were heavy bleeding, weight gain and acne. Like other birth control pills, prescription Seasonique has serious risks including blood clots, stroke and heart attack. Smoking increases these risks, especially if you’re over 35.”
Ovcon 35 (28) has much less risk factor and major side effects than from both Seasonique and Beyaz, then again, it’s been years since I started taking birth control pills and it’s been since 2008 since I’ve been on birth control completely, and they have changed tremendously over the year, although when I was on Ovcon 35 (28) I did not experience any problems except a couple of missed periods, and there was a little nausea, which was calmed by taking the pill with crackers or juice rather than straight water.
The point is, ladies, if you are new to the idea of taking a birth control pill, understand that there are many pills on the market and that you should thoroughly talk it over with your OB/GYN about the many types that are available, their risk, the side effects and what to expect. No one woman is the same and the pills has different effects on many.
Getting a second opinion about a birth control is not such a bad idea, but keep in mind that long-term use can cause the growth of fibroid tumors. At least for me it did.
Know what you’re getting into before you make a firm decision to go on the pill. Get as much information as you can about birth controls before you subject your body to the risks that are involved. The body was not to have its monthly period shortened significantly.
The Fibroid Awareness Group 