The topic of women’s health is often overlooked in many ways. However, these discussions and conversations must be done out in the open. One of these surrounds the question of why women still get pregnant even when they are on birth control.
To start with, no form of birth control guarantees 100% efficiency. Therefore, it is always a gamble that women take. A new study is offering insight into why some women who use birth control methods still get pregnant even after using them correctly.
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In the past, it was believed that the woman used the method wrong or waited until the implants expired. However, studies now show that women with uncommon genetic differences can render contraceptives ineffective.
The study by researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that 5% of women have this gene. Their bodies, therefore, produce an enzyme that counters the effects of birth control hormones.
While some of these are among those who use low doses of contraceptives, most others are left with low hormone levels even after using high doses of contraceptives. There is, however, no specific type of contraceptive that this enzyme attacks.
Hormonal contraceptives
In essence, pills, implants, and injections release synthetic versions of female hormones and override the monthly cycle to prevent ovulation. These hormones trick the body into thinking it’s pregnant. Therefore, the release of the egg is halted each month.
These hormones make the mucus around the cervix thicker, which traps sperm and prevents the sperm from reaching the egg.
From the research, it is definite that contraceptives are not an absolute birth control method. The lead author and assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aaron Lazorwitz, says that this study is the first time that genetics and birth control have been linked together.
Usually, when a woman who is using contraceptives gets pregnant, they are blamed for using them wrong or purposely trying to ‘trap the man.’ However, the researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine decided to dig deeper into the issue.
The presence of a gene called CYP3A*1C in a woman’s body will break down the hormones from birth control. Since this is the first finding into the relationship between genetics and birth control, more studies are underway.
The availability of more genetic data will help clinicians account for genetic predispositions when reporting and administering hormonal contraceptive methods.
Contraceptives vs. a woman’s health
This is a very passionate discussion that is rocking the world. Many women have experienced unprecedented side effects of using birth control methods. It is a complicated thing for a woman to decide the type of birth control they want to use.
There is a general lack of information among women concerning contraceptives. This is especially true for younger teenage girls. Thanks to the internet, women can now access information that they would otherwise be too shy to ask for.
Medical practitioners should play the role of providing information to women. A woman’s body is delicate, and in this day and age, it is not safe to use the trial-and-error method.
Side effects
One of the recently discovered side effects of birth control is the impairment of a woman’s ability to recognize complex emotions. This is mainly prevalent in oral pills. While the result may be unnoticeable, it is a very significant blur in a woman’s social judgment.
According to studies, a woman will have challenges recognizing expressions like pride and contempt. However, they can realize basic emotional expressions. Scientists claim that this is a casual effect; however, it is unclear how it affects the ability to form intimate relationships in the long run.
Users of Oral Contraceptives (OCP) are 10% worse on average compared to those who don’t use oral contraceptives. OCP users cannot easily decipher complex emotions, and therefore, their social interactions are inhibited.
Is there good news?
The good news is that today, women have a lot more access to information than they did in the past. Today, women have the opportunity to make an informed decision, knowing most of the pros and cons of their choice.
Another set of good news is the fact that some hormonal contraceptives help women control acne as well as the risk of endometriosis. As a result, the woman has a lower chance of colon, ovarian, and uterine cancers. However, the pill increases the risk of breast and cervical cancer.
Another downside to many birth control methods is that their psychological effects are not well documented. Hundreds of millions of women around the world use OCP, but no conclusive research on the emotional, social interaction, and psychological impact has been documented.
With this in mind, it is essential for further studies around the subject need to investigate the exact extent of these effects. In some cases, birth control methods affect a woman’s ability to maintain intimate relationships. Therefore, scientists recommend that clinicians provide detailed information concerning the consequences of different methods of birth control.
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