The contraceptive pill is the most used contraception in France, but it is not without annoying adverse effects. Migraine, drop in libido, acne, cancer, weight gain … which are proven? The point on truths and received ideas with Dr Abdoulaye Diop, gynecologist-obstetrician.
The contraceptive pill is the most used contraceptive means of women in France. Like any medication, the pill is linked to a risk of side effects. Weight gain, increase in appetite, acne, pain, vaginal dryness, drop in libido, increased risk of breast cancer … What are the side effects of this contraceptive? Which ones are proven? On the contrary, which are false and constitute received ideas? Lighting Dr Abdoulaye Diop, gynecologist-obstetrician.
Fake. The contraceptive pill does not, strictly speaking, has weight but It would promote water retention, breast pain and still snacks. Indeed, the pill is said “diabetogen“, that is to say that it increases the insulin level in the blood and insulin opens the appetite. However,”The pill has no proven effects on the centers (cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus) responsible for the feeling of hunger“, wants to complete Dr Diop, gynecologist-obstetrician.
TRUE. Bleeding may occur outside period periods. “”Bleeding due to the taking of the pill may appear, Especially if it is not taken on the scheduled time. These bleeding is exteriorized by the vagina but actually come from the uterus“, explains our expert. Sans serious, these blood losses can be more or less abundant and accompanied by other symptoms such as pain or vaginal losses …
TRUE. The Medicines Agency (ANSM) indicates that estroprogestative contraceptives are actually linked to side effects. “”The most frequent (concern more than one in 10 women) are headaches, including migraines“, Specifies the health authority. The appearance or worsening of headaches must imperatively be reported to his prescribing doctor. In addition, according to the French society of studies of migraines and headache, in a migraine woman who presents one or more factors of vascular risk (smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and more cardiovascular, phlebital or pulmonary embolism), we prefer A pill that does not have estrogen or a non -hormonal contraception.
TRUE. The pains or cummary heaviness caused by pilling is mainly due to the dose of estrogen it contains. These hormones intervene in the manufacture and storage of fat and promote pain in the breasts. “”Breast pain is certainly possible on the eve of menstruation but it can also happen to women without contraception: it is a fairly classic premenstrual syndrome which is without gravity“, wishes to reassure the gynecologist.
TRUE. Vaginal drought as well as a drop in libido are frequent in women who take the pill, including in the youngest. Indeed, The pill allows you to counter the action of testosteronewhich is the hormone of sexual desire in women. Since sexual desire decreases, sexual lubrication also drops. A gentle and respectful intimate hygiene, the use of lubricants, suitable creams or the use of herbal medicine can be effective solutions against intimate drought.
TRUE. “”The pill can improve or even completely disappear skin problems, but you should know that some pills aggravate it“, Indicates the gynecologist. Some pills are weakly or even non -rogenic, that is to say that they do not stimulate the sebaceous glands and therefore do not promote excess sebum. Ask your gynecologist for advice.
True and false. “”Even if this risk remains extremely low, the pills can be associated with a risk of venous thrombosis (phlebitis) or pulmonary embolism, especially in the event of personal or family history“Indicates Dr. These accidents are infrequent (mainly occur in women who have risk factors for these diseases) but serious; They must be covered in emergency. Latest generation pills (3rd or 4th containing Déogestrel or Drospirenone) are more risky than those of 2nd generation. Another study done by health insurance suggests that thromboembolic risk would also be linked to the dose of ethinylestradiol and therefore lower for pills dosed to 20 µg of ethinylestradiol. But, do not panic, during a contraceptive prescription, the doctor analyzes all possible risk factors and contraindications to allow you to find the most suitable contraception.
► Signs evocative of thrombosis (phlebitis):
- Swelling (edema) of one of your thighs or legs
- Pain with or without swelling of one of your calves.
In these cases, call or consult your doctor, the prescribing doctor or the pharmacist immediately. If it is not possible, call the Samu-Center 15 or present yourself to the emergency department of a hospital or a clinic.
► Signs evocative of a pulmonary embolism:
- A brutal shortness of breath, at rest or unusual during activities (staircase, telephone conversation, etc.),
- the occurrence of bloody spitting,
- An acceleration of heartbeat (tachycardia), unusual, unexplained and persistent especially if associated with one of the previous signs
These signs can be accompanied by intense dizziness or headache. In these cases, immediately call the Samu – Center 15
True and false. The International Center for Research on Cancer (CIRC) remains very transparent on this subject: certainly the pill increases the risk of cancer relating to certain organs, but it also makes it lower many others (ovary, gynecological, colorectal, endometrium …). However, “The combined or microprogestative pill would have a slight impact on the risks of breast cancer, which is hormone Unlike other cancers, provided you have personal or family history of breast cancer“Add the expert. The risk is slightly higher for a woman who takes the long -term pill. The risk amounts to normal over time after stopping. Likewise for cancer of the cervix of the uterus and liver.
Fake. According to Dr. Diop, “The pill would rather preserve the fertility of the woman“. Its use for more than 5 years would even promote faster pregnancy according to a British study (Human Reproduction of October 2002).
TRUE. Mood disorders, including irritability, are among the side effects of the contraceptive pill reported by the drug agency. A Danish study of 2020 published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports was interested in the effects of the contraceptive pill on hormones related to mood. Researchers have shown that women under oral contraception had a level of oxytocin (nicknamed the hormone of love) higher than the others. And this disruption of the level of oxytocin could alter certain feelings such as attachment, love, intimacy or social interactions. Other studies have shown a link between pill and depression. A study published in Jama Psychiatry in 2016 estimated that the risk of taking antidepressants was multiplied by 1.23 in the event of taking an oral oral pill and 1.34 in the event of taking a micro -rogestative pill.
>> Any adverse effect appearing after taking the pill must be reported and discussed with your doctor Or your midwife: this pill may not be suitable. Other possibilities may be considered. However, it is best not to stop the pill before you have seen the doctor or the midwife. If the woman decides to stop it before the medical appointment, it is essential to use another means of contraception.
>> You can declare a side effect Linked to the use of a contraceptive pill, directly on the ANSM website on which you will find the form and the information necessary to allow you to make this declaration.
Thank you to Dr Abdoulaye Diop, gynecologist-obstetrician.
Sources: You and your estroprogestative contraceptives, ANSM / OSTROGGESTIVE PILUTS and Thrombotic risk, ANSM / ORAL contraceptives, 09/27/16, Ministry of Solidarity and Health
