Long-term use of birth control pills may cause amenorrhea

Ms. Zhou, 28 years old, has been married for 2 years and has never planned to have a baby. She has been taking birth control pills for two years. In the past six months, Ms. Zhou found that her menstrual flow was sparse, and in the past 4 months, she even had amenorrhea. She was very worried because her menstruation had always been normal, thinking that the contraception had failed and she was pregnant unexpectedly. But the doctor quickly helped her rule out this possibility.

After diagnosis, the doctor believed that the decrease in menstrual volume and amenorrhea might be caused by birth control pills.

The female hormones contained in birth control pills are very different from the female hormones secreted by the ovaries in terms of quantity, type, and delivery time. Under the effect of birth control pills, the endometrium cannot grow to normal thickness, and the endometrial glands are not fully developed. Usually, the amount of menstruation is related to the thickness of the endometrium. If the endometrium grows thin, the menstruation will naturally be less. This is the reason why menstruation gradually decreases and even amenorrhea occurs.

The above changes in the uterus are generally greater the longer the medication is used, the greater the changes, the more severe the menstrual reduction, and even amenorrhea. If the menstrual flow is light after taking the medication, the medication should be stopped immediately and other contraceptive methods should be used instead. Do not wait until amenorrhea to stop the medication. Most women can resume menstruation within 2-3 months after stopping the medication, and at the latest 6 months, so there is no need to worry. If menstruation still does not come 3 months after stopping the medication, seek medical attention in time.

In addition, long-term use of birth control pills can easily lead to deficiencies in folic acid, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin E, and vitamin C, abnormal plasma levels of vitamin A and vitamin K, decreased plasma zinc levels, and an abnormal increase in the small intestine's ability to absorb calcium and copper. Users may experience depression, fatigue, memory loss, angular cheilitis, seborrheic dermatitis, colds, osteoporosis and other adverse conditions. Therefore, women should also pay attention to dietary nourishment and eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, soy products, milk malt and cereals.