But the oral contraceptive pill still retains its popularity because of its reliability and simplicity of use. Besides being used as a contraceptive the pill is used for a variety of medical reasons including irregularity of periods, heavy and painful periods, skin conditions, endometriosis and ovulation pain. The pill works as a contraceptive by stopping ovulation, which is the monthly release of the female egg from the ovary. It also thickens the mucus in the cervix stopping the entry of sperm into the uterus, interferes with the lining of the uterus and thus stops implantation of a fertilised egg should fertilisation occur. Minor side effects of the pill include nausea, headache, vaginal thrush, alterations in menstral flow, weight gain, depression, skin pigmentation, temporary infertility after stopping the pill, tenderness and enlargement of breasts, intolerance to contact lenses, diminished libido, fatigue and skin photosensitivity.
Some women have a small increase in blood pressure when they take the pill.
Major side effects include heart attacks and strokes. Women who smoke, who are overweight or who are over the age of 35 have a greater chance of developing clots which can affect the heart, the brain or peripheral veins. Women with a history of clot formation or high of risk of a heart attack should not take the pill. Also it should not be taken if you have a history of viral hepatitis, diabetes, cancer of the breast or reproductive organs. The pill should not be taken during pregnancy or if you are breast feeding.