Why is taking the contraceptive pill perceived to be any different than taking tablets for a migraine or for period pain or using a cream for acne? It's not any different at all and in fact all of those symptoms stated above qualify the pill to be prescribed as a suitable medication to solve those problems. The pill is used for so much more now than to just prevent pregnancy. I cannot help but question the logic and reasoning behind widening the uses of the pill to treat women but not addressing the apparent lack of information and awareness they receive when its prescribed.
I found myself very blessed with an excellent female GP when I was first prescribed the pill. She told me everything I could possibly need to know right down to what kind of feeling I would get in my legs if I developed a blood clot or was experiencing the early signs of deep vein thrombosis, which she explained was one of the side effects of this medication, and I felt beyond prepared as she guided me through the information leaflet. This leaflet told me everything from what percentage of hormones were in the type of pill I was taking to what to do if I missed a pill or lost a box. I really felt like I had all bases covered and I just assumed everybody else had the same knowledge upon being prescribed the medicine, but today I learnt that this is not the case at all.
Part of me feels I was so thorough in wanting to understand what I was taking because I was using the medication for reasons other than contraception and therefore treated it as if it was any other kind of medication that had side effects I needed to be fully aware of. I can completely understand why women who use the pill for purely contraceptive reasons would not particularly learn the extensive impact of the medication, just as you wouldn't learn the percentage of different chemicals and ingredients that are used to produce condoms for example. It serves a purpose and almost fully protects from pregnancy and that's all you really need to know. It's always amazed me that people know that the pill will make you gain weight but not that it can lead to hormonal function being impaired and affecting fertility after prolonged use or that it increases the likelihood of breast cancer and ovarian cysts. Where did the rest of the awareness and information get lost?The pill has to be treated differently to any other form of contraception as it's something we choose to put into our body and cannot be immediately removed as it excretes hormones that will travel around our entire system affecting and neutralising the necessary parts. It's not a temporary contraceptive precaution, it's something that completely changes your bodily function. It does so much more than just stop you from conceiving and regulating periods and this needs to be made so clear to every woman that is prescribed this medication.
Sadly I read a story today about a 21 year old girl called Fallan who died from a blood clot on her lungs which is believed to be down to her, very quick, use of the pill. But when you read into the story it's a clear lack of awareness from her medical practitioner about what she was actually prescribing her patient. Before I was even prescribed my pill I was made aware of the different types and which ones she believed would be best suited for me. We then looked at their side effects and decide on the most suitable medication for me and I have changed the pill I use three times since my first prescription as my bodies needs and requirements have altered. This girl experienced side effects almost straight away, feeling breathlessness and pains in her legs. This is the point of which she should have returned to her GP straight away and told them about the side effects she was experiencing, but sadly she was not aware that this could be a side effect or that this was even possibly linked to her new prescription. So she was sent home with what they thought was a "bruised sternum" after receiving an X-ray for her episode of breathlessness. These side effects are in most information about the contraceptive pill (see the links attached at the bottom) and although the odds of it being a side effect are slim, it's still possible and should be stressed to any patient.
Another thing which I noticed upon reading their tragic story is that nobody questioned whether she used the pill until she was in an intensive care unit and they were searching for an explanation for what could be wrong. I always make it clear, no matter how stupid I think I sound, that I am using the pill when asked about any medication I am taking. My reasoning behind this is that you just never know, it could be linked to why I'm feeling the way I am or even offer a reason to explain why symptoms have got worse or problems have arose. You might feel like an idiot the first few times when you're being examined for an achy back and telling them about your family planning choices but it's better to be safe than be faced with a story as tragic as that of Fallan's who was only using the pill for 25 days before she sadly passed away.
We would never allow somebody to inject chemicals into our body without knowing what could happen or what it was for so why are women being allowed to personally swallow chemicals that they have not been fully informed about?
Further information...
