ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL

Health benefits and advantages

Highly effective reversible contraception. Birth control pills provide highly reliable
contraceptive protection, exceeding 99%. Even when imperfect use (skipping an occasional pill) is
considered, the BCPs are still very effective in preventing pregnancy.

Menstrual cycle regulation. Birth control pills cause menstrual cycles to occur regularly and
predictably. This is especially helpful for women with periods that come too often or too infrequently.
Periods also tend to be lighter and shorter.

Reduce menstrual cramps. Birth control pills can offer significant relief to women with painful
menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).

Decreased risk of iron deficiency (anemia). Birth control pills reduce the amount of blood flow
during the period. Less blood loss is helpful in preventing anemia.

Reduce the risk of ovarian cysts. The risk of developing ovarian cysts is greatly reduced for
birth control pills users because they help prevent ovulation. An ovarian cyst is a fluid - filled growth that
can develop in the ovary during ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary).

Protection against pelvic inflammatory disease. Birth control pills provide some protection
against pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious bacterial infection of
the fallopian tubes and uterus that can result in severe pain and potentially, infertility.

Can improve acne. Birth control pills can improve acne. For moderate to severe acne, which
other medications can't cure, birth control pills may be prescribed. The hormones in the birth control pill
can help stop acne from forming.

Reduces the risk of symptomatic endometriosis. Women who have endometriosis tend to
have less pelvic pain and fewer other symptoms when they are on the Pill. Birth control pills won't cure
endometriosis but it may stop the disease from progressing. The pills are the first-choice treatment for
controlling endometriosis growth and pain. This is because birth control hormones are the hormone
therapy that is least likely to cause bad side effects.

Improves fibrocystic breasts. 70 - 90% of patients see improvement in the symptoms of

fibrocystic breast conditions with use of oral contraceptives.

Improved excess hair (hirsutism). Women with excessive facial or body hair may notice an
improvement while taking the Pill, because androgens and testosterone are suppressed by oral
contraceptives. High androgen levels can cause darkening of facial and body hair, especially on the chin,
chest, and abdomen.

Prevents ectopic pregnancy. Because birth control pills work primarily by suppressing
ovulation, they effectively prevent ectopic pregnancy as well as normal pregnancy. This makes the pills an

excellent contraceptive choice for women who are at particular risk for ectopic pregnancy, a potentially
life-threatening condition.

Helps prevent osteoporosis. Several studies show that by regulating hormones, the pill can
help prevent osteoporosis, a gradual weakening of the bones. However, the results of different studies are
conflicting (1-3).

Does not affect future fertility. Using the pills will not affect a womans future fertility, although it
may take two to three months longer to get pregnant than if a woman did not take pills.

Easy to use. Does not interrupt foreplay or sexual intercourse.

Safe for many women. Research for over 40 years has proven long term safety.

Risks and disadvantages

About 40% of women who take birth-control pills will have side effects of one kind or another during the
first three months of use. The vast majority of women have only minor, transient undesired effects. Some
side effects are uncommon but may be dangerous.

Heart attack. The chances of birth control pills contributing to a heart attack are small unless you
smoke. Studies have shown that smoking dramatically increases the risk of heart attack in women age 35
years or older, which is why pills are generally not prescribed to women in this age group who smoke.

Blood pressure. Women taking birth control pills usually have a small increase in both systolic
and diastolic blood pressure, although readings usually remain within the normal range. Blood pressure
should be closely monitored for several months after a women starts taking oral contraceptives, and
followed yearly thereafter.

Migraines and stroke. Women who take oral contraceptive and have a history of migraines have
an increased risk of stroke compared to nonusers with a history of migraine 4.

Blood clots (Venous thromboembolism). Women who use birth control pills are at a slightly
increased risk of having a blood clot in the legs or lungs. Studies consistently show that the risk of venous
thromboembolism (VTE) is two to six times higher in oral contraceptive users than in nonusers. The risk
of blood clots is highest in women with clotting disorders or who have previously had a deep venous
thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Other risk factors include obesity, older age, having several family
members who've had blood clots before old age, air travel, and having to lie or sit for a prolonged period,
as you might after major surgery.

Headaches. Headaches may start in women who have not previously had headaches, or can get
worse in those who do.

Depression. Depression (sometimes severe) and other mood changes may occur.

Nausea and vomiting. This side effect usually goes away after the first few months of use or can
be prevented by taking the pill with a meal.

Breast tenderness. Your breasts may become tender or may get larger. Breast tenderness is
relatively common during the first month of BCPs and uncommon thereafter.

Breakthrough bleeding or spotting. Spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods is very

common in the first cycle of pills or if pills are missed or taken late.

Decreased enjoyment of sex. Some women experience a decreased interest in sex or a

decreased ability to have orgasms.

Weight gain. Some women report slight weight gain. Weight gain is often caused by fluid
retention or estrogen-induced fat deposits in the thighs, hips, and breasts. Weight gain may also be
related to a reduction in physical activity or increased intake of food. In some women the androgenic
effects from the progestins in their OCs can increase their appetite.

Chloasma (spotty darkening of the skin on the face). Darkening of the skin on the upper lip,
under the eyes, or on the forehead (chloasma). This may slowly fade after you stop taking the pills, but in
most cases, it is permanent.

Drug interactions. Birth control pills may not be as effective if you are taking certain
medications. Some antibiotics, antifungals, anticonvulsants, herbs like St. John's Wort, can change the
amount of the contraceptive hormones absorbed by the stomach and the metabolism of these hormones.

Not suitable for everyone. Some women should not take pills if they have specific health
conditions, including some types of diabetes, liver disease, cardiovascular disease. Women with risk
factors for heart disease, such as those with high blood pressure or who are obese, are also at higher risk
when on the Pill.

Sexually transmitted diseases. Birth control pill does not offer any protection against sexually
transmitted infections.

Must be taken every day. You must remember to take the pills at the same time every day. Pills
must be taken every day, even if a woman does not have intercourse that day. Must use a secondary form
of birth control for the initial seven days of use.

Diarrhea or vomiting. Anything that makes the pill go through your system too fast can make the
pill not work as well because it was not absorbed or, worse, if it is lost in the vomit.

Glaucoma. Taking oral contraceptives for more than 3 years significantly increases the risk of
glaucoma7.

Progestogen-only contraceptives may worsen the results of the glucose tolerance test.

Cost. The pill costs more than other methods of contraception.

Latest 2014 study revealed that risk of death did not significantly differ between women who had ever
used birth control pills and those who had never used them.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

According to Mong Palatino (2007), the incidence of premarital intercourse is
continuously growing in an alarming rate. In a study conducted by the University of the
Philippines Population Institute (UPPI), it was found and stressed out that for every four
Filipinos at least fifteen years old and at most twenty-four years old, one admittedly was
engaging in premarital intercourse.

Though there is the absence of comparable data from

earlier periods, recent studies prove the hike in the rate of occurrence of premarital
sex in the country. D a t a o b t a i n e d f r o m a r e s e a r c h d o n e i n 1 9 9 4 s h o w e d 1 8 %
o f t h e r e s p o n d e n t s b o t h m a l e a n d female engage in the said act (Laguna, 2001).
Moreover, the 1998 National Demographic and Health Survey reported that 3.6 million
teenagers got pregnant and this is only a small fraction of those who had premarital sex and were
unfortunate enough to get pregnant. Additionally, it was also shown in the 2002 Young Adult
Fertility and Sexuality Study of the UPPI and Demographic Research and Development
Foundation that nearly one-fourth of the population aging fifteen to twenty-five already had sex
experience. And in 2008 another research showed that this alarming case rose to almost 30%
of the population of the same age group (Singson, 2008). This goes to show that
indeed everyone needs to be aware of what is happening nowadays, not only of the big political
scandals and other obvious societal issues but more importantly on social issues which may be
the breeding ground for other problems of the community.
To better put into perspective what is in the content of this paper, it is fairly important to
fully comprehend what premarital sex is all about. Sex in a broad sense,
a s d e f i n e d b y t h e modern society, includes or refers to the insertion of the male
reproductive organ into an anal, oral, or vaginal opening. Also, it may or may not
involve penetration or genital contact and intercourse between members of the same sex
(Grolier, 2002). It is now the modern era and it is undeniably true that liberalism has the
zeitgeist of this time. Hence sex can be of any form especially in the urban areas (Frias,
2001). However, in the strictest manner, sexual intercourse is an act of penetration of the female
reproductive organ by the male reproductive organ. Furthermore, it is an intimate act
between two individuals of different sex for whatever their purpose may be (Baumer

& South, 2001). The word premarital as defined in Merriam-Websters Dictionary

means relating to marriage or before marriage. With this knowledge, premarital sex,
therefore, is the intimate act of sexual intercourse engaged in, with their free will, by two persons
who are, at the time the act was or will be done, unmarried. Moreover, the term is generally used
to refer to young adults, particularly the adolescents or more precisely the teenagers who are not
yet considered to be of marriageable age. Nevertheless, it does not mean that adults are excluded
from it. It includes those who are presumably yet to be married (Baumer and South, 2001).
Different religions and cultures have various views on the morality of sexual intercourse between
unmarried persons: some strongly disapproves while some regards marriage is completely
optional.
This is an issue that the country should be concerned about. There has been a rise in the
number of researches that deal with this issue and indeed, this has proven a lot of
things. This cannot just be disregarded because the persons involved are not merely
adults. Studies present that occurrence of premarital sex is more frequent in younger
age groups. In fact in the data presented by Mong Palatino (2007) shows that 20% of
premarital sex surprisingly occurs among high school students. And among all
occurrences of this act, most were not planned or wanted and are not protected.
Certainly, these do not just happen without a cause. All of these happen for various reasons and
presented here are some of the major factors.
Dr. Raymundo noted that those persons who more frequently drink alcohol and use drugs
are more likely to commit premarital sex (Palatino, 2007). Drugs and alcohol play a big part in
the change of sexual behavior of those who use them. In connection with this, a
survey shows t h a t t h o s e w h o d r i n k a n d u s e d r u g s a r e p r o n e h a v e m o r e t h a n

o n e s e x u a l p a r t n e r s a n d h a v e unsafe sex (Buddy T., 2008). In addition, alcohol, gives a

disinheriting effect, which gives the individual a more confident feeling. Though it may
cause impotency after long continued use, alcohol was also found to increase the
sexual drive of individuals, more often the men, who drink. Furthermore, it makes the
individual, preferably the male, more comfortable in engaging or initiating sex (Silverberg,
2007).
Family is the refuge of everyone who is looking for love; however it can also be a major factor in
pushing the youth to have sex. Singson (2008) cited, for instance, parents at home who feels
inadequate or, in some way, uncomfortable in having a dialogue with their youngsters regarding
the topic sex. T h i s l e a v e s t h e y o u n g s t e r s t o f i n d a n s w e r s o r c l a r i f i c a t i o n s f o r
themselves,

which

would

soon

lead

to

curiosity

and

eventually

e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n . What is even worse is living away from parents, wherein

maternal control is lost. Elma P. Laguna emphasized that young adults living away
from parental supervision is exposed to greater likelihood of engaging in premarital
sex. Without proper guidance, they face a greater temptation of indulging themselves to risky
behaviors such as smoking, drinking, drug use, and most of all premarital sex. She further
stressed that what they see from their parents have great impact in their perception
about sex, such as in the case of live-in and getting married sooner or later after giving birth to
the children.
Aside from the ones already mentioned, peers also have a big impact on an
individuals perceptions. Nonconformity, thrill-seeking, and peer group pressure
are all very influential factors during adolescence and even in adulthood (Roediger
et al, 1998). Combined with an e m e r g i n g s e x u a l m a t u r i t y, t h e y o u t h a r e

c e r t a i n l y v u l n e r a b l e t o h a v i n g s e x a t a n e a r l y a g e . Singson (2008) also noted

that peers have greater influence than parents do. Since the parents and the child
may have awkward feelings of talking about sex, peers greatly affect the childs
thinking. This may not happen in adults anymore but it is a fact that peers, Singson further noted,
exert pressure

and expect

an individual

to conform to the

rest

o f t h e m . M o r e o v e r , a s t u d y presents that close association with sexually active

peers seems to influence an individuals sexual behavior (Laguna, 2001). It was
evidently shown as higher prevalence of premarital intercourse was noted among those
whose friends had already sex experiences. It is important to mention that this was observed
for both females and males. As a matter of fact, Frias (2001) mentioned that
association with a sexually experienced friend was figured out to be one of the
strongest risk factor to premarital intercourse.
L a s t l y, e x p o s u r e t o m e d i a i s a l s o a m a j o r f a c t o r i n c o m m i t t i n g
p r e m a r i t a l s e x . I t i s needless to say that almost everyone is aware of the media
particularly the optical media. In terms of the effects of mass media on sexual behavior,
exposure to any of its form is associated with higher prevalence of premarital sex
(Laguna, 2001). Though it was found that males had higher rate of sexual encounter after
exposure to it, females are not excused. What people see on TV, magazines, internet and other
forms of media is most likely what they follow. Its just sad to note that unregulated lewd
and indecent multimedia can be accessed in almost all medium of c o m m u n i c a t i o n .
Erna Gorne (2006) disclosed that media plays a crucial role in this social
dilemma. With the presence of these media and their easy accessibility, premarital

sex would indeed get worse. Gorne even concluded that media is now considered the
surrogate parents of the youth today.
It has been found and proven several times that indeed the prevalence of premarital sex in
the Philippines has risen to a bigger number for the last decades. Different studies also suggest
that the occurrence of premarital intercourse is apparently invading the younger age
groups to include even the high school students. Atkinson (1985) said that these
young people are only being more open to things which their parents do in secret.
Nevertheless, there were causes and major factors cited that lead to the increase of
premarital sex in the country. One is the use of d r u g s a n d a l c o h o l w h i c h
e n h a n c e s a n d i n c r e a s e s s e x u a l d r i v e s o f t h e u s e r s a n d m a k e s t h e m confident
to initiate sex. Second is separation from parents and lack of parental guidance which l e a v e s
the youth with wrong perceptions about sex. Third is peer pressure and
p r e s e n c e o f sexually active peers who greatly influence the individuals sexual
behavior. Last is media, of w h i c h s e x u a l s u g g e s t i v e n e s s h a v e g r e a t i m p a c t o n
t h e i n d i v i d u a l . Al l o f t h e s e h a v e c r u c i a l e f f e c t s o n a n i n d i v i d u a l . B u t
t h e m a i n p o i n t i s t h a t p r e m a r i t a l s e x h a s b e c o m e a n a l a r m i n g problem, which
the Philippines have to be aware of.