Could Period Pain Pills Impact Long-Term Reproductive Health?

Voluntary control of fertility is of paramount importance to the society. A rapid population growth threatens human survival. At the present rate population of the world will double in 40 years and some countries, it will double in approximately 20 years. In this scenario knowledge about and usage of contraceptive practices is of paramount importance.

Effective control of reproduction is beneficial to women giving them a sense of well-being and a chance to achieve individual goals.

Can Contraceptive Pills Affect Reproduction?

Choosing a particular contraceptive method from amongst various options available for both partners will involve factors such as safety, efficacy, non-contraceptive benefits, cost and individual preferences. 

Oral contraceptives are one of the methods available to women for control of fertility so as to have the desired number of children at an appropriate time as deemed by the couple. However, some misconceptions pose a negative impact on the utilization and continuation of oral contraceptives. The biggest fear hampering the use of pills is the effect of their use on future reproductive options. There is a belief that OC pills may hamper the resumption of fertility, especially after prolonged use.

There are mainly three types of pills available, namely combined estrogen-progesterone pills, progesterone-only pills and pills used for extended or continuous use. Apart from providing fertility control, the pills may also be used to control various other health conditions such as menstrual pain, irregular menstruation, acne, fibroids, endometriosis-related pain and menstruation-related migraines. The combined oral contraceptives and progestin-only methods work by inhibiting follicular development, and anovulation and preventing the formation of the corpus luteum. They also alter cervical mucus thereby inhibiting sperm penetration.

To address the issue of fertility resumption after the pill use studies were carried out. The conclusion was that after discontinuation of medicine, 89% conceived within two years. Hormonal contraceptives do not cause infertility no matter which method or how long you have been using it. What they are designed to do is temporarily delay fertility and prevent pregnancy.

It is also possible that the use of birth control pills may mask pre-existing irregularities and conditions like PCOD. When birth control is stopped these conditions reveal themselves, often leading people to think that their contraceptive method caused problems.

The bottom line is that if you are trying to get pregnant for a year after coming off birth control or you have concerns about infertility seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Authored by Dr Monica Jani, Gynaecologist & Obstetrician, Bhailal Amin General Hospital, Vadodara