Birth control pills are commonly prescribed to prevent pregnancy, regulate menstrual cycles, and banish acne. But did you know that they may be linked to high blood pressure in some women?
Most birth control pills contain a combination of two hormones, estrogen and progestin (although some pills contain only progestin). While the combination of these hormones is important for preventing pregnancy, they do carry some risks.
Medical research has found that oral contraceptives can slightly raise blood pressure, causing some women to develop high blood pressure. High blood pressure is likely to occur 2-3 times more often in women on the pill (or patch) than in women who do not take it. Therefore, you should have your blood pressure checked at least once a year.
The risk of developing high blood pressure while using birth control pills can increase because of:
- Length of use
- Personal history
- Family history
- Age
- Obesity
If you are taking birth control pills and your blood pressure rises talk to your doctor. He or she will monitor your blood pressure then provide advice and recommendations based on your situation. These may include:
- Taking the Pill as normal
- Switching to a lower-dose birth control pill
- Trying a different type of birth control
If you decide to stop taking the Pill, your blood pressure should return to normal in 3-6 months.
If you have high blood pressure that is under control with medication, you may still be able to take birth control pills or use the patch, but your blood pressure will need to be closely monitored.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides different types of birth control (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase birth control on-line.
For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
