Today, many representatives of the fair sex use contraceptive pills, including not only young girls, but also women over 35 years old. The point here is not only about protection against pregnancy; these same medications are prescribed for hormonal imbalances and some other gynecological problems. According to statistics, about 30% of all women have the bad habit of smoking, and this is where the question arises: is it possible to take contraceptives and smoke at the same time?
In order to understand this, you will have to study contraceptives deeper.
Classification and composition of contraceptives
All hormonal contraceptives are divided into 2 large groups: combined and progestin only.
Combined hormonal contraceptives contain estrogens and gestagens, and:
- high-dose contain 50 mcg ethinyl estradiol;
- medium dose – 35-40 mcg ethinyl estradiol;
- low-dose – 30 mcg;
- microdosed – 20 mcg.
Pure progestin contraceptives (contain only gestagens).
The combination of cigarettes with estrogens contained in combined contraceptives is considered undesirable. These include not only tablets, but also injectable drugs, as well as vaginal rings and spirals.
Today, drugs with low estrogen content are mainly used; they belong to the new generation of drugs and cause fewer side effects.
Interaction between smoking and taking contraceptives
Oral contraceptives contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. Although modern contraceptive drugs are considered quite safe and do not have any side effects on the female body, estrogen still slightly increases blood clotting. However, this does not mean that taking such contraceptives can lead to the formation of blood clots.
But when a gynecologist chooses oral or vaginal contraception for a woman, he will definitely ask not only about her health, but also whether the woman smokes.
After all, nicotine contained in the blood of women who smoke has the same effect as estrogen. However, the effect of nicotine is much more intense on the circulatory system. Thus, smoking and simultaneous use of hormonal contraceptives double the risk of blood clots forming in the blood vessels. And this, in turn, can lead to such serious consequences as atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke.
Since nicotine contained in tobacco smoke increases the heart rate and briefly increases blood pressure, the combination of this effect with the effects of estrogen increases the load on the heart, which often leads to coronary artery disease.
Smoking while using contraception increases the amount of cholesterol in the blood. And this substance, deposited on the walls of blood vessels, significantly narrows their lumen. This prevents normal blood flow, supplying all organs and, above all, the brain with oxygen. It can also cause ischemic stroke.
Two risk factors, combining their efforts in the fight against women's health, provoke the activity of a virus such as papilloma. It can sleep peacefully in the body without causing any trouble to its carrier. But if you “help” it with the help of hormones and nicotine, then the papillomavirus can even lead to cancer of the female genital organs.
Taking hormonal contraceptives in itself contributes to a more intensive development of neoplasms (if they already exist in the body). If a woman also smokes, then these tumors, even benign ones, can develop into breast, cervical or ovarian cancer.
The effect of estrogens on the heart and female genital organs
Studies of this issue provide conflicting data. On the one hand, estrogens protect against the development of strokes, heart attacks and thrombosis. This is evidenced by the fact that heart problems in women begin to appear after menopause, when sexual function declines.
On the other hand, scientists say that for those who took combined contraceptives, the risk of developing a heart attack, stroke or thrombosis increased several times. They attribute this effect to the large dose of estrogen in the older generation of tablets.
There are estrogen-dependent forms of malignant tumors (breast, uterine, ovarian cancer). These conditions are caused by an excess of sex hormones in a woman’s body, including after the use of medications.
“Non-hormonal” remedies, truth and fiction
It can be said that today most contraceptives are not hormonal, but this is largely disingenuous. If the drug itself does not contain hormones, this does not mean that it does not affect their production in the body.
For example, nicotine, which has a strong effect on the human hormonal system, and many depressants and antidepressants do not contain hormones, but have a stimulating or suppressive effect on their production. Amphetamines are also not a hormonal drug, and a colossal wave of pleasure hormones is produced by the body completely independently, under the influence of active substances. This does not mean that amphetamines are safe, environmentally friendly and do not harm the body.
By the way, amphetamine medications for depression and insomnia in the 40s were sold in European pharmacies completely freely without a prescription, and were considered completely safe and very useful.
Combination of cigarettes and estrogens
The likelihood of heart disease and breast cancer increases by 2 times when combining nicotine with combined birth control pills. This is confirmed by studies conducted in the USA. Moreover, even passive smoking has a negative impact on health.
Vein thrombosis in women who smoke and use contraceptives with estrogen is 10 times more common than in those who do not have this bad habit.
The negative effects of nicotine directly depend on the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the age of the woman. Heavy smokers (more than 15 cigarettes per day) over 40 years of age suffer most from heart attacks. Gynecologists advise this group of women to take purely progestin pills, such as the Mini-Pill.
The need for contraception for women
Contraceptives for women in the form of tablets for regular use appeared on the pharmaceutical market in the 60s. It was the emergence of freely available contraceptive pills, and not miniskirts, hippies and modern pop music, that ensured the sexual revolution in Western countries. Safe sex has become available to women.
The first pills contained high doses of hormones and could have a significant impact directly on a woman’s character and behavior. Medical products strive for universality; we would like the drug to be equally functional for everyone, and this affects the dosage of the active substance, bringing it closer to the maximum permissible. A significant amount of additional hormones may not have a positive effect on health.
Precautionary measures
It should be remembered that it is necessary to choose hormonal contraceptives together with a gynecologist, who will prescribe the drug depending on age, the presence of risks and concomitant diseases. What works for one woman may be harmful for another.
Also, those who take contraceptive drugs for the treatment of gynecological diseases should be more attentive to their health. It has been reliably proven that birth control pills significantly reduce the risk of developing benign breast tumors, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts and endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory diseases. In the treatment of these pathologies, drugs high in estrogen are used, which increases the risk of side effects, especially in women who smoke.
If a woman started taking the pills on her own and discovered symptoms such as pain in the lower abdomen, chest, calves, and headache, she should immediately consult a doctor.
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Contraindications
You should also take into account contraindications, the range of which is quite wide. The danger is also that when you start taking it, even if the drug suits you, you will experience side effects. Exactly the same as if the drug does not suit you completely and is harmful to your health. The damage that can be caused by an incorrectly selected drug to protect against unwanted pregnancy can be significant. These are cysts, cancer, varicose veins, and various gynecological diseases. The drugs are far from ideal, although there are women for whom they are ideal.
Hormonal levels change with age. For women who smoke, especially after 35 years, it is not recommended to use oral hormonal contraceptives. Doctors recommend mini pills, sewn under the skin, containing a minimal amount of active substances.
Contraindications include liver disease, any form of hepatitis and cirrhosis, diseases of the gallbladder and biliary tract, and cancer.
Any diseases of the kidneys and genitourinary system require consultation with a doctor.
Hypertension, thrombosis, heart disease, and diabetes also require medical examination and careful selection of medications.
Ideally, any systemic medications should be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
How to protect yourself while taking combined contraceptives
If it is difficult to quit smoking, but such a need has arisen in connection with the use of OCs, you can use auxiliary means that suppress the craving for smoking. The range of modern pharmacological products is diverse. Many of them have proven themselves well in practice. Everyone can find a convenient form of release for themselves.
Lollipops
Such drugs are available without a doctor's prescription. They contain medical nicotine. Regular consumption of pills reduces withdrawal symptoms without causing harm to the body. The active substance of an alkaloid nature in safe doses enters the blood, as a result of which the feeling of discomfort disappears.
Former smokers note their convenience due to their compact size and optimal speed of action (4-6 minutes). Women say that lollipops cope well with hunger. For females, the problem of gaining weight when quitting smoking is always relevant. The most popular in the post-Soviet countries are Nicotinette and Nicomel lollipops.
Chewing gum
Regular or nicotine-containing gum can be used. During the chewing process, nicotine from them enters the oral cavity and is absorbed through the mucous membrane and saliva. They also help fight the urge to take up a cigarette and alleviate smoking withdrawal symptoms. The dose of nicotine may vary. Nicorette elastic bands have proven themselves well.
Features of the selection of hormonal contraceptives
The selection of contraceptive pills should be done by a doctor. The prescription of drugs is preceded by anamnesis and various tests. This is the only way a gynecologist can determine which pills will not only be effective, but also safe. When prescribing contraceptives, the following are decisive:
- blood sugar test;
- liver enzyme test;
- assessment of blood fluid clotting;
- study of hormonal levels;
- oncocytology;
- ultrasound examination of the mammary glands and pelvis.
The determining factor is the presence of any chronic diseases. For some diseases (for example, problems with the liver, heart), hormonal pills are prohibited, while for others (endocrine diseases), on the contrary, such drugs are necessary.
Not only test results are decisive when prescribing tablets. The selection of hormonal contraceptives is always carried out taking into account the constitutional and biological type of the patient. The decisive ones here are:
- Self-administration of any drugs is very dangerous for health.
skin condition;
- body hair;
- height;
- body mass;
- breast development;
- features of menstruation;
- presence/absence of PMS.
According to constitutional and biological characteristics, three groups of women are distinguished. When prescribing contraceptives, the doctor must take into account the patient’s membership in a certain group. The following phenotypes are distinguished:
- Estrogen dominance. Signs: Average/short height. Dry skin. Hair suffers from dryness. Feminine look. Prolonged menstruation, accompanied by significant discharge. The cycle consists of more than 4 weeks. Tablets: Low and high dose.
- Balanced. Traits: Average height. The chest is medium, well developed. Good skin and hair condition. Absence of premenstrual phenomena. Menstruation occurs exactly four weeks later and lasts five days. Tablets: second generation COC.
- Androgens/gestagens predominate. Signs: Tall. "Male" facial features. Underdeveloped breasts. Problem skin and oily hair. Short cycle with scanty menstruation. During the premenstrual period, severe pain in the lower abdomen is observed. Tablets: Containing an antiandrogenic component.
Some women mistakenly believe that, having determined their own phenotype, they can choose their own birth control pills. This approach to choosing hormonal contraceptives can lead to health problems. The gynecologist approaches the issue comprehensively: he takes into account the phenotype, anamnesis, and test results.
Oral contraceptives, although considered the most reliable protective method against unwanted conception, are not suitable for everyone. If a woman has not stopped smoking by the age of 35, then she is strictly prohibited from taking hormonal contraceptives. Nicotine, combined with hormonal fluctuations, increases the risk of thrombosis. After thirty-five, the risk of developing heart pathologies increases, which can be facilitated by heavy smoking while taking birth control pills.
Taking hormone-containing pills is prohibited if you have:
- If you feel unwell, you should immediately consult a doctor
diabetes mellitus;
- migraine-like headaches of unknown etiology;
- liver pathologies;
- kidney diseases;
- heart diseases;
- malignant formations;
- predisposition to thrombosis.
Taking hormonal contraceptives should be stopped a month before the proposed surgery. Antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of contraception: due to changes in intestinal flora that occur while taking antibiotics, hormones are less absorbed.
How does the hormonal composition of drugs differ?
We are not saying that all contraceptives are harmful, but it is absolutely necessary to understand that doctors and pharmacists can be cunning or make honest mistakes.
Even if contraceptives do not contain hormones directly, they affect hormonal functions. Accordingly, it is absolutely necessary to take into account interactions with other drugs, such as nicotine or alcohol.
The ability or inability to conceive is certainly a hormonal process. Without deeply affecting the hormonal sphere, it is impossible to change the functioning of one of the most important systems of the body.
The wide age range of women taking birth control pills should also be considered. The hormonal background of 16-year-old girls differs from the hormonal background of a 50-year-old woman; accordingly, care must be taken in choosing age-appropriate medications.
The types of drugs based on hormone content are as follows. Contraceptives can contain two main hormones, progesterone and estrogen, a combined type or only progesterone, the so-called “mini pills”. The higher the age, the lower the dose of hormones should be. But if you are used to a certain drug, it is advisable not to change it unless necessary.
Consequences of combining contraceptives with smoking
When smoking and using birth control pills containing estrogen at the same time, the risk of serious problems with the circulatory system increases: the formation of blood clots and blood clots is possible, interfering with the flow of oxygen, and with it, nutrients to the organs.
Here are some examples:
- If cerebral circulation is impaired, the condition is fraught with stroke.
- If cardiac circulation is impaired, a heart attack is possible.
- Venous stagnation of blood leads to dilation of the veins.
- The risk of tumor formation in the uterus and breast increases due to cell mutation.
Now there is a wide choice of contraceptives, the choice of which should be approached with caution, only after consulting a specialist and collecting the necessary tests. However, the best alternative would be to quit smoking.
It is difficult for an “experienced” smoker to stop the addiction, because smoking is not only a psychological addiction, but also severe physical sensations - that is, a woman feels worse after abruptly quitting nicotine.
Types of birth control pills
Pharmacies offer a huge number of varieties of pills that protect against conception. It's easy to get confused in such diversity. The first thing that is important to remember: drugs are divided into two large groups:
- combined (COC);
- mini-pill.
What is the difference between these types of tablets? They differ in content and principle of operation. Each type is suitable for a certain age group and has its own contraindications. Naturally, comprehensive information on medications can only be obtained from a specialist: prepare your questions to your gynecologist.
The body's reaction to combining cigarettes with oral contraceptives
Both young girls and mature women over 40 years old resort to contraception. Modern combined OCs are well tolerated and do not cause inconvenience in everyday life. But they still have side effects. To what extent they will manifest themselves depends largely on the woman herself.
Observations have shown that smoking and birth control pills taken simultaneously lead to headaches, heaviness in the legs, discomfort in the mammary glands, and pain in the lower abdomen. The occurrence of these symptoms is a direct signal to consult a doctor.
Some girls who have a bad habit have noted that the veins on their legs become more noticeable. Complaints of nausea and fainting were recorded. This once again indicates the incompatibility of smoking with taking combined contraceptives.
According to research, the process of blood clots depends not only on the woman’s age, but also on the number of cigarettes smoked per day. If you smoke up to 10 cigarettes a day while taking hormonal pills, then the risk of getting problems with the heart and blood vessels doubles compared to women without nicotine addiction. 15 cigarettes increases the risk threefold. Taking medications with estrogen becomes especially dangerous for smokers aged forty years or more.
Diseases that develop with smoking and taking OCs
Combining contraceptives and smoking increases the risk of developing many diseases. Moreover, even passive tobacco consumption has a negative effect.
Studies have confirmed that a person who took contraceptives and continued to smoke increased the risk of developing the following pathologies by 8 times:
- embolism;
- stroke;
- phlebeurysm;
- atherosclerosis;
- heart attack;
- thrombosis;
- vascular diseases.
The risk group included women over thirty years of age. In addition, information has emerged about the possible development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and oncologies, especially hormone-dependent ones.
Estrogen and progesterone have been classified as carcinogens since the early 1980s. Statements that hormonal drugs based on these components can lead to the growth of malignant tumors were officially confirmed by scientists from the University of Southern California. In 1993, researchers detailed the relationship between the development of breast cancer and the use of combination drugs for menopausal hormone therapy.
Summarizing
If a woman is under 35 years old and smokes a little, it is permissible to take birth control pills, but only after consulting a doctor and taking a blood test for hereditary thrombophilia. Also, the study should be carried out for female representatives with a history of problematic pregnancy, antiphospholipid syndrome, and thrombosis. Moreover, you should not delay the examination if one of your close relatives died at a young age from a heart attack or stroke.
While taking contraceptives, a woman must have her blood tested annually for a coagulogram. But the best way to avoid harmful effects on the circulatory system and other organs is to quit smoking.
Source: kureniesigaret.ru
Smoking while taking OK is possible, but highly undesirable. Why?
Not all women know that they should not smoke while taking hormonal contraception. While “puffing” on another cigarette, they do not think about the risks associated with the combination of taking hormonal contraception and smoking. Taking hormonal contraceptives and smoking are incompatible, as they mutually enhance each other's side effects.
Cigarettes.
In the structure of mortality among smokers (men and women), cardiovascular diseases occupy the first place. The most common diseases are myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, occlusion (blockage) of peripheral vessels, aortic aneurysm, stenosis (narrowing) of the renal arteries, which is often accompanied by arterial hypertension and bleeding disorders. The mechanisms of the influence of smoking on the development of cardiovascular diseases include: endothelial dysfunction (i.e., disturbances in the condition of the inner layer of blood vessels - the main reason for the increased formation of blood clots); increased platelet aggregation (sticking together); coronary vasoconstriction (spasm of blood vessels supplying the heart muscle) increased levels of carbon monoxide and carboxyhemoglobin.
Contraception.
It is known that estrogens contained in contraceptives increase the synthesis of most procoagulant factors (i.e. blood proteins responsible for blood clotting) while the level of antithrombin III (a protein that prevents blood clots) decreases, fibrinolytic (clotting) activity of the blood increases, the tendency for platelet aggregation increases. In the body of a healthy woman (to be specific, who has no contraindications to taking hormones), the increase in the activity of procoagulants against the background of hormonal contraception is compensated by increased fibrinolysis (a process that is an important protective reaction of the body and prevents blockage of blood vessels), and, as a rule, has no clinical significance . Microdosed combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing less than 20 mcg of estrogen are considered safer. And yet, even the latest generation of COCs is not recommended for use by women with high risk factors for thrombosis. Smoking is one of these factors. According to WHO recommendations, the use of COCs by women over 35 years of age and who smoke more than 15 cigarettes per day is contraindicated. Often women and young girls ask: “How many cigarettes can you smoke while taking hormonal contraceptives?” Many people believe that 5-10 “light” cigarettes is an acceptable amount that is safe for health, but they are mistaken. You should not smoke even while taking microdose COCs. The heart and blood vessels must be protected from a young age. Now, having information, you must make a choice between a bad habit and a method of preventing unplanned pregnancy, such as hormonal contraceptives. No one will take care of your health except you.
Source: www.BabyBlog.ru
