Contraceptives

Obese women can now have the confidence to change to a brand of low dose birth control pill without worrying if the dose of estrogen it contains will be high enough to be give them effective contraception. There have always been greater health risks with birth control pills that contain higher doses of estrogen so this is good news for obese women who are already at a greater health risk with their weight and who may be putting up with unecessary side effects because they have been taking a higher dose contraceptive pill.

Obesity is a major health issue now and while the risk of developing blood clots is still associated with all types of birth control pills , it remains higher for overweight women. Pregnancy can also be riskier too if you are carrying too many extra kilos.

Carolyn Westhoff, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of the Division of Family Planning at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York investigated the effects on ovulation supression of varying strengths of oral contraceptive pills on a group of normal weight and overweight women aged 18-35 over a period of 3-4 months. Many ultrasounds and blood tests were carried out and the results showed that weight did not appear to have an effect on suppression of ovulation but that CONSISTENCY of pill taking did.  Regular pill taking is best practise for all women of child bearing age who select this method of birth control though isn’t it?

If you are overweight and want of peace of mind over your family planning - be especially vigilant about taking your low dose birth control pill every day… and maybe this is just the little nudge you need to help you think  about how you can improve the health of your body overall? Your future child will blossom for it.

If you are happy with your current low dose birth control pill, don’t think you are missing out because it doesn’t contain folic acid. You may already be taking folic acid alongside your low dose birth control pill anyway and not realise it (your daily multivitamin may include 400 mcg of folic acid in its ingredients). The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a new birth control pill, Beyaz,  that contains this synthetic form of Vit B9 which helps to prevent spinal cord defects, like spina bifida in babies.  

Some women accidentally become pregnant while taking the pill or may choose to get pregnant soon after stopping the pill so maintaining a decent level of folic acid in a low dose birth control pill is a good idea. 

Since Beyaz is a new low dose birth control pill and also the only one currently on the market which contains folic acid, I have no  first hand information for you regarding any possible side effects so please let me know how you get on if you try it.  It is prescription only. Here is a link to some further information on Beyaz .

In clinical trials on users of Beyaz, the most common side effects were: headache/migraine, menstrual irregularities, nausea/vomiting, breast pain/tenderness, fatigue, irritability, decreased libido, weight gain and mood changes.

If you do become pregnant when taking Beyaz- stop taking it straight away but continue to take at least 400mcg of folic acid per day.

Beyaz contains the same progestin type as Yaz which is drospirenone (which can increase levels of potassium in some women)

This is the Bayer warning on the Beyaz.com home page:

Do not use Beyaz if you have kidney, liver, or adrenal disease, or if you have or have had blood clots, certain cancers, history of heart attack or stroke, or if you are or may be pregnant. Beyaz is associated with increased risks of several serious side effects, including blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. Risk of these conditions is highest during the first year of use.

Like all the other low dose birth control pills, Beyaz does NOT [protect you from STIs so make sure you are well stocked with your own supply of condoms ladies.