The potential cons of contraception

by Carleanne O'Donoghue

Young women these days are spoilt for choice when it comes to contraception; there are pills, injections and implants to suit all body types and sizes.

But how much do we really know about what we are taking and whether it is really right for us? Does it do us more damage than we know?

The pill, which turned 50 last year, has revolutionised the way women think about sex and relationships, which makes it a great invention.

Not to mention the fact that it is 99 per cent effective.

Its side effects, however, are not something to celebrate.

Many women complain of higher stress levels, weight increase and a higher risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis, but the psychological dangers of taking such high levels of hormones are not something that is generally mentioned by doctors and nurses.

It seems almost sad that doctors shout more about the fact that being on the pill can influence your choice in men and sexual partners, rather than being concerned for the welfare of the three million women who are taking it.

A study led by the University of Oxford claims that women on the pill are on average 15 per cent less likely to develop ovarian cancer.

This is great news if you are worried about getting it is something that we should be considering. Then again, are these claims a smokescreen to hide the bigger picture?

Mood swings

Lucy Goldsmith, a BA Photography student at London College Communication, wishes she’d never taken the pill: “I started taking the pill mainly to regulate my period. It was fine until I started university and was refused my normal pill at a family planning clinic in South London, because Microgynon would increase the risk of a stroke.

"The nurse there put me on Cerazette and since then I’ve noticed I’m so angry a lot of the time and I really feel like it’s messing my head up.

"I don’t feel like myself these days, but I’ve stuck with it because I feel like it’s my only option. I can’t stand the sight of needles and the thought of the implant honestly makes me want to heave.”

Sister Carmel Potter of Moors Walk Surgery in Hertfordshire says: “It’s true that these different pills have different effects on people’s bodies, but the effects vary. People shouldn’t be put off by these claims. If worst comes to worst there are other options like injections, implants and femidoms which can be used instead.”

A study at Heidelberg University, Germany, involving 1000 women also found that the pill reduces levels of sexual desire.

This is perhaps not one of the most well known side effects of the pill but is certainly one that deserves to be.

The main reason women go on the pill is so that they can have sex and not have to worry about getting pregnant, which is especially important during the ages of 16-25 when perhaps their priority is education and not children.

If the majority of women knew about this unfortunate side effect of the pill, the numbers of women taking it would arguably be considerably less.

Goldsmith says: “I got together with my boyfriend at the same time I started taking the pill and in the beginning it was fine. Microgynon was fine for me and did its job. My new pill has seriously affected my libido and I hate it. My boyfriend will grab me by the hips, give me a cheeky kiss and all I want to do is push him away.”

Positive aspects

Despite the side effects of the pill, there are positive aspects.

It does allow you more reassurance when you are with a sexual partner, although not against sexually transmitted diseases.

The likelihood of falling pregnant on the pill is far less than the risk with condoms.

Although some women will struggle to find a pill that is right, it is a game of trial and error, but eventually the majority of women will settle with a pill that works for them. 

If you struggle with your current pill, your nurse, doctor or sexual health clinic will always offer you an alternative.

However, with all this in mind, it is worth considering whether men should take some more responsibility.

Sister Carmel says: “To an extent, men should be just as cautious as women are but there are far fewer options for men than there are for women.

"The main problem with male contraception at the moment is that condoms reduce sexual feeling and pleasure. Companies have tried to tackle this, but clearly female contraceptives are just easier. Though we do stress that the pill, the implant and the injection do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.”

Male version

Goldsmith says: “I don’t think I’ve ever really used a condom with my boyfriend, I know he’s clean and we prefer it without. I’m not irresponsible, I think I’m safe enough not to use one because we’ve been together for a long time.”

Scientists have recently developed a drug that stops sperm production, a male version of the pill that may be on the shelves within a few years. So far this pill has only been tested on mice.

This invention would certainly give couples more choice when it comes to sex, but it is claimed that the side effects would be much the same.

Sister Carmel concludes: “It just seems to me that these scientists are chasing their tails. Who knows what options are to be discovered? It’s important that people know there are options. Not everybody has to go through excessive weight gain or foul mood swings. There are options that can help avoid these. I don’t want anybody to be put off.”