World Contraception Day on Sept. 26 is designated to raise awareness of the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and birth.

If you haven’t considered oral contraceptives as a means for birth control, it’s time to reconsider.

According to experts, the use of oral contraceptives accounts for only 2 percent of birth control even though they are one of the most effective and safest ways to prevent pregnancy.

Moreover, their use can ease menstruation pains and reduce the prevalence of several gynecological diseases.

Dr. Lee Im-soon of Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital shared some tips on the truth and false information about oral contraceptives. 

1. The pills can cause infertility: There is a widespread belief that people who have taken oral contraceptives for a long time have a hard time getting pregnant, causing some to quit taking them.

In the past, when the pills contained higher levels of hormones (estrogens and progesterone) it may have been true. But pharmaceutical companies have developed pills that contain the minimum amount of hormones ― cutting levels of progesterone to one-fifth and estrogen to one third.

“It may take one or two months for menstruation period as well as the biorhythm of a person to settle back to normal after they stopped taking the pill. But it doesn’t mean people become infertile,” Lee said.

2. The pills cause pimples, freckles and other dermatological problems: With the low-hormonal pills in stores, women need not to worry about adverse dermatological effects any more.

“In fact, the pills control the progesterone secretion, which improves skin condition,” Lee said. These days some pills have U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for treating mid-level acne.

3. The pills can cause weight gain: One of the most feared side effects of oral the pill is weight gain. In the past, high hormone levels deterred the elimination of body wastes, making one look bloated.

“But these days, the drospirenone in some pills has diuretic effect. Women don’t look swollen or bloated any more,” Lee said.

4. The pill can cause cancer: Another myth about oral contraceptives is that they can cause cancers in the breast, ovary, uterus and other gynecological areas. But in reality, oral contraceptives are widely prescribed to keep menstruation regular. There are ongoing debates about its impact on breast cancer prevalence but there is no conclusive evidence so far.

Studies are under way to define the drugs’ effect on the prevention of ovarian cancers, too.

5. The pills cause overall discomfort: It is true that the body needs time to adjust to the pills since they cause hormonal changes.

“One can feel uncomfortable at first. Mostly, it is the placebo effect but some sensitive women claim to be bloated, feel disgust and other minor symptoms. Also, it could involve a little bleeding from the vulva area in the early stage, which frightens some users,” Lee said.

“But there is not much to worry about. Within three months, such symptoms will subside,” she added.

Oral contraceptives are an up to 99 percent effective form of birth control if used appropriately.

Some of versions of the pill are sold without prescriptions, but doctors advise people to receive checkups before taking them.

“Those who have liver disorders, hypertension or a family history of breast cancer should refrain from taking them. Smokers, too, are advised not to use them since thrombosis could occur and threaten lives,” Lee said.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)