REGULARITY: The pill has been shown to have beneficial effects on the menstrual cycle, especially with respect to regularity. Nearly 80% of all cycles on the pill are 26-28 days long. The pill sharply diminishes the duration and quantity of menstrual flow. This occurs because the presence of estrogen and progestin causes the endometrium to gradually attain maximum involution, but causes the menstrual flow to reach a constant minimum. It is beneficial for those whose normal cycle is too long or too profuse. Following discontinuation of estrogen-progestin therapy, it has been found that the succeeding menstrual cycle is prolonged, but most often restored to normalcy by the third month. Oral contraceptives also tend to improve premenstrual tension and dysmenorrhea. (Drill, 1966)

SKIN: Some women experience premenstrual aggravation of seborrhea and get acne. This is probably caused by progesterone, but more likely by the androgens, which are known to be biosynthesized and secreted during the menstrual cycle. However, estrogens can improve acne in some cases by having an inhibitory effect on adrenal secretion of adrenal androgen, which is often attributed to many cases of acne. It can only help with some though; benefiting only those whose acne is dependent on the presence of androgens. Estrogens have also been found to increase skin pigmentation that is enhanced by exposure to UV light. (http://www.pharmacology2000.com/Endocrine/Gonadal/gonad6.htm)

BODILY ACTIVITIES: Nausea is a common complaint associated with the pill and is most likely caused by effects of estrogen. It tends to occur for the first day or two of tablet taking in the first cycle and sometimes during the second and third cycles. Nausea is less noticed if the pill is taken at night in the beginning of the cycle. Through experimentation, it has been shown that switching patients from one medication to another and decreasing the estrogen levels of the pill will often alleviate side effects such as nausea. (Mears, 1965)

Intermenstrual bleeding can take place if there is irregular tablet intake and can be very serious. Slight weight gain is possible due to the electrolyte and water retaining effects of the steroids (chiefly estrogen) and other anabolic effects. Pictured on the left is a frequency distribution of maximum weight change in a group of subjects using the sequential therapy.

(Goldzieher, et al. 1966)

Estrogen also alters carbohydrate metabolism under many experimental conditions and has been understood to suppress glucose tolerance levels. This effect is also seen early on in pregnant women, which makes sense considering the fact that the presence of estrogen and progesterone induces a "pseudo pregnancy" state. Abnormal glucose tolerance has been found in 10-81% of natural pregnancies. (Mears, 1965)

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: Estrogen has also been proven to have a profound increase in blood clotting. Those users who have been on the pill for extensive time periods are at a greater risk for cardiovascular complications and/or a stroke. This risk becomes even greater if oral contraceptives are used in conjunction with smoking. Whether or not estrogen has any effects on risks concerning breast cancer are still to be determined. (Kaunitz, 2001)

NATURAL TIMING: Many questions have been presented on the effects of the pill on the onset of menopause. Unfortunately, they are presently unsolved. Some fear that the "preservation" of the ovary might delay menopause and lead to problems of gestation in women of menopausal age. This remains merely a hypothesis due to the fact that the first regular users of the pill (the pill was introduced in the 1960's) are just starting to hit menopause now and results have yet to be collected. (Kaunitz, 2001)

New Contraceptives on the Way...

Ask Kathi the midwife and Brown University students how they feel about contraception: