{"id":1231,"date":"2022-03-28T13:35:15","date_gmt":"2022-03-28T13:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/?p=1231"},"modified":"2022-05-16T13:38:38","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T13:38:38","slug":"long-term-side-effects-of-birth-control-pills-can-they-expire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/long-term-side-effects-of-birth-control-pills-can-they-expire\/","title":{"rendered":"Long-term Side Effects of Birth Control Pills: Can They Expire?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nowadays, many women decide to use hormonal methods to control their cycles and prevent pregnancy. This type of protection against undesired pregnancies is usually considered very safe, but it\u2019s not for everyone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you start using birth control pills, you should consult a doctor. It is very important for a healthcare professional to review your medical history and determine whether or not birth control pills are right for you. By visiting a doctor\u2019s office, you will have a chance to discuss the medication in-depth and review the short-term and long-term effects of birth control pills. Please be reassured that if the pills end up not working out for you, it is very easy to switch methods.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read more about birth control pills, their shelf life, and the short-term and long-term effects of birth control.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What are Birth Control Pills?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1233 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/What-are-Birth-Control-Pills.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up View of Female Doctor Hand Holding Bottle With Pills and Writing Prescription.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/What-are-Birth-Control-Pills-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/What-are-Birth-Control-Pills-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/What-are-Birth-Control-Pills-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/What-are-Birth-Control-Pills-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/What-are-Birth-Control-Pills-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/What-are-Birth-Control-Pills-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/What-are-Birth-Control-Pills.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have probably already heard about the advantages and side effects of birth control pills. However, have you ever heard about the way they work to prevent pregnancy? Or the way they can improve periods by decreasing bleeding and cramping?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Birth control pills are formally known as oral contraceptives whose main role is to prevent unwanted pregnancies:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Birth control pills contain the hormones progesterone and estrogen. By taking a pill every day, it prevents the body from having fluctuations in these hormones. When the hormones fluctuate daily as part of a normal menstrual cycle, it can trigger things like period cramps, mood swings (think PMS or PMDD), and heavy bleeding. The main way birth control pills prevent pregnancy is by preventing ovulation or the release of an egg from ovarian follicles.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contraceptive pills also affect the thickening of cervical mucus and serve as a barrier to sperm. This way, fertilization of the ovum cannot occur, and conception will not occur, even if there is ovulation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, pills fail to protect from pregnancy in only 1% of cases. Remember \u2013 this risk is very low and overall depends on how consistently or properly they are used!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the United States, birth control pills were approved in the 1960s and are among the most popular forms of protection for women around the world today.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are usually used in 28-day cycles, which means that the tablets are used for 21 days with a seven-day break. Some newer pills are used for 24 days with only a 4-day break.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whichever variant of this pill you decide on, always consult your doctor, who will further explain and instruct you on the right choice of the contraceptive pill for your body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are looking to obtain <\/span><a href=\"\/new-age-womens-health\/gynecologist-miami-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>birth control in Miami<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we recommend that you seek the advice of <\/span><a href=\"\/new-age-womens-health\/victoria-bedell\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Dr. Bedell<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Call us to schedule an appointment or consultation today!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Long Does It Take For Birth Control To Work?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you start birth control pills within 7 days of a normal period and have not had intercourse, they are effective right away. Very often, however, doctors will advise you to also use a backup method of contraception (like condoms) for the first week that you are taking birth control pills. It should be noted that birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), so the use of condoms is important to remember.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also important to remember to take your pills every day! They should be taken at roughly the same time and with food if you experience nausea. It may be helpful to set a daily alarm reminder on your mobile device so you are less likely to forget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, you may forget to take the pill altogether. It\u2019s not a huge problem if you remember to take it in the first 12 hours. But if more time passes, you should re-read the instructions. If you are still unsure what to do, make sure to consult with your doctor. In these cases, it is usually advisable to use additional contraceptives like condoms until the end of that cycle of birth control pills.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Do Birth Control Pills Have An Expiration Date?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do birth control pills expire? Of course!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like any medicine, birth control pills have their own shelf life, and it is indicated on each new pack of pills. After the expiration date, their effect is reduced, and the risk of pregnancy is higher.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you get a prescription from your doctor and when you buy a new box of pills, check the expiration date on the packaging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although we know that you want to be safe and do not want to run out of pills when needed, it may not be the best solution to stock up on them. Even then, most drugs expire in the period from one to five years, meaning that they won\u2019t expire that fast.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Effects of Birth Control<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When using medications that contain hormones, such as birth control pills, side effects are common. The good news though is that side effects are typically mild and temporary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are short-term side effects that disappear usually in the first three months of taking the medication as the body adjusts, and these can be:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mood changes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight gain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sensitive breasts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headaches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breakthrough bleeding<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hormonal contraception is not only used to prevent pregnancy but can also be used as part of therapy for endometriosis, painful periods, heavy periods, or menopausal symptoms in some cases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, there are no significant side effects if you use birth control pills for many years. There is no effect on your fertility or your ability to get pregnant in the future. This is great news! One thing to consider about using birth control pills long-term is if you develop any new medical conditions with age. For example, if you have been taking birth control pills since you were a teenager and now you have a new diagnosis of diabetes or high blood pressure, it may not be a good idea to continue birth control pills and other methods may need to be considered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Birth control pills are not for everyone as they are not considered safe in certain situations or medical conditions. You should stop using the pill and switch to other types of contraception if you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are over age 35 and are a smoker<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have migraines with aura<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have high blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have an increased BMI<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have had cancer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have had a blood clot<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are taking medicines that are not compatible with hormone therapy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have diabetes and its complications<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are preparing for surgery and need to rest for a long time<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have had hepatitis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have chest pain<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to research, birth control pills can increase the risk of breast and cervical cancer and reduce the risk of ovarian, colorectal, and endometrial cancer. Don\u2019t worry! While the data on birth control pills causing breast and cervical cancer varies, it is overall accepted that these risks are small or low.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is necessary to tell your doctor before you start using birth control pills if you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychiatry.org\/patients-families\/depression\/what-is-depression\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">depression<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use other medications<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a chronic illness or condition (high blood pressure, diabetes, hepatitis, epilepsy, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have recently given birth and are breastfeeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have had an abortion or miscarriage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are taking any herbal remedies that reduce the effects of hormone therapy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a history of cancer of any type<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Other Forms of Contraception<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While most patients are good candidates to take birth control pills, they are certainly not for everyone. If you are not a candidate for birth control pills, you should consider other contraception options such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vaginal ring (NuvaRing or Annovera)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contraceptive shots (Depo Provera)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contraceptive patch<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intrauterine devices (Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, Skyla, Paragard, etc)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contraceptive implants (Nexplanon)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Progesterone-only birth control pills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Condoms<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Bottom Line<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1232 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/Bottom-Line.jpg\" alt=\"Woman Holding Contraceptive Pills With Unsure Face Expression\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/Bottom-Line-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/Bottom-Line-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/Bottom-Line-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/Bottom-Line-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/Bottom-Line-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/Bottom-Line-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/100\/2022\/05\/Bottom-Line.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most women tolerate birth control pills well, and there are no risks or consequences in the long run. However, it is always necessary to consult your doctor and see if this type of contraception is for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, you should know and always look at the expiration date of medications. Birth control medications can also expire, and expired birth control pills should not be used but disposed of following regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Need More Info? We&#8217;re Here!<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019d like to learn more about birth control pills and other contraceptive options, know that our team of experienced professionals is always ready to help you find the most suitable option. Feel free to schedule an appointment with us to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nowadays, many women decide to use hormonal methods to control their cycles and prevent pregnancy. This type of protection against<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":1234,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[137,138,139,140,141,142],"class_list":["post-1231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-birth-control","tag-birth-control-miami","tag-does-birth-control-expire","tag-expired-birth-control","tag-how-long-does-it-take-for-birth-control-to-work","tag-long-term-effects-of-birth-control","tag-switching-birth-control"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1231"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1231\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/new-age-womens-health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}