Birth control pills consist of one or both of two compounds similar to the natural hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. The pill appears to offer some protection from ovarian and endometrial cancer, noncancerous breast tumors, and ovarian cysts. However, there are some long-term risks. Ask your doctor. Birth control pill users may experience minor reactions, including breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, weight gain or loss, and spotting between periods, which often clear up after two or three months.
Serious problems are rare.
But as a woman gets older the possibility of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, or liver tumors may increase, particularly if the woman smokes, has high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, or diabetes. People over 50 can be quite sexually active, often with younger partners who do need birth control. And sexually active people of any age can get sexually transmitted diseases. IUD threads coming through the cervix into the vagina help check placement. IUDs generally create a condition in the fallopian tubes and uterus that hinders a pregnancy from occurring.