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| Birth Control Pills, Oral Contraceptives, Brevicon, Demulen, Desogen, Enovid Description Birth Control Pills usually work by preventing a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation). They also thicken the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from joining with an egg. Action progesterone and estrogen Indications contraception, postcoital contraception Side Effects abdominal pain or cramping, acne vulgaris, alopecia, amenorrhea, anorexia, anxiety, appetite stimulation, azotemia, breast carcinoma, breast discharge, breast enlargement, candidiasis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, depression, diplopia, dizziness, edema, elevated hepatic enzymes, erythema nodosum, fluid retention, galactorrhea, headache, hepatitis, hepatoma, hypertension, jaundice, keratoconus, libido decrease, maculopapular rash, mastalgia, melasma, myocardial infarction, nausea/vomiting, optic neuritis, pancreatitis, photosensitivity, pulmonary embolism, retinal thrombosis, stroke, thrombosis, unusual weakness or tiredness, urticaria, vaginal bleeding, vaginitis, vaginal candidiasis, weight gain, withdrawal bleeding Changes in the menstrual bleeding pattern or intermenstrual bleeding, such as amenorrhea (complete stoppage of menstrual bleeding over several months) absence of withdrawal bleeding (occasional stoppage of menses over nonconsecutive months) breakthrough bleeding (vaginal bleeding between regular menstrual periods, which may require the use of a pad or a tampon) metrorrhagia (prolonged bleeding) scanty menses (very light menstrual bleeding) or spotting (light vaginal bleeding between regular menstrual periods). Up to 46% of women using oral contraceptives experience changes in the intermenstrual uterine bleeding pattern. Breakthrough bleeding occurs in 6 to 12% of women; some may require a change to a higher formulation with progestin or a change to a monophasic oral contraceptive after 3 months. Drug-Vitamin-Herb Interactions Negative interactions: Androstenedione Androstenedione increases estrogen levels, which may increase the adverse effects of estrogen therapy. Boron Boron may increase estrogen levels, which may increase the adverse effects of estrogen therapy. Dong quai Dong quai contains beta-sitosterol, a phytoestrogen, which may increase the adverse effects of estrogen therapy. Studies, however, do not support this. Grapefruit juice Grapefruit juice slows breakdown of estrogen. St JohnÕs Wort - may interfere with effectiveness of BCPs, may cause breakthrough bleeding St JohnÕs Wort and Dong Quai - may cause sensitivity to sunlight which adds to side effects Mixed interactions: Ipriflavone Ipriflavone protects bone, but may increase estrogen effect on the uterus. Positive interactions: Calcium and Vitamin D Calcium and Vitamin D aid in bone growth. Magnesium Magnesium metabolism is enhanced by estrogen, which may result in a deficiency. Soy Soy contains isoflavones which may interfere with the action of estrogens (controvertial). Vitamins B2, B6 and B12 BCPs may lower Vitamins B2, B6 and B12. Vitamin C BCPs depress levels of vitamin C. Zinc BCPs may reduce levels of zinc.
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Fantastic new books! CAM Therapies has studies on natural therapies for over 100 diseases. CAM Labs lists lab tests for 100 diseases. Nutritional Genetics is a fantastic resource.
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