Risks Associated with Hormonal Based Contraceptives

If you are like millions of women in the United States considering the use of hormonal based contraception, there are many health benefits and risks to consider. While most hormonal based contraceptives provide a great benefit in terms of prevention of pregnancy, there are some health risks associated, especially for women who fall into an "at-risk" category.

When we refer to hormonal based contraception, what we are referring to are the standard forms of contraception including The Pill, sub dermal implants and hormonal injections. While there are many other forms of contraception, these hormonal contraceptive products are the most widely used today.

One risk that is commonly overlooked by women who are seeking the use of hormonal based contraception is the risk associated with abnormal uterine bleeding. In many cases, especially when the use of hormonal based contraception is new, the factors that influence and increase abnormal uterine bleeding can be modified with slight changes to dosing or products used.

In terms of risk factors that create a platform on which uterine bleeding may occur, of most common note is the decrease, in recent years, in the dosing of the hormone ethinyl estradiol. With advanced medical research, many hormonal based contraceptive manufactures have decreased the level of this hormone to less than 35 mcg which is adequate to prevent pregnancy but often not adequate to control endometrial linings. Thus, for women who take very low dose hormonal contraceptives, such as The Pill, this low hormone level may result in abnormal uterine bleeding, spotting and breakthrough bleeding.

In addition to hormone levels within the products, women who smoke and women who are suffering from infections, such as Chlamydia or gonorrhea, may also experience abnormal uterine bleeding when using hormonal based contraception. As a result, when you experience breakthrough or abnormal uterine bleeding, your gynecologist should test for infection, you should engage in a cessation program and an increase in hormone level may be necessary to stop the abnormal flow.