Precautions and Warnings With Oral Contraceptives

Since oral contraceptives are not suitable for all women, ask your healthcare provider about precautions and warnings with oral contraceptives to determine if this method of birth control is right for you. Oral contraceptives can worsen certain medical conditions, such as hypertension and gallbladder disease, so tell your healthcare provider about all existing medical conditions you have before using the pill.

Oral Contraceptives Information

Oral Contraceptives: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using oral contraceptives (birth control pills) if you have:

A history of heart attack or stroke
A history of blood clots or a clotting disorder
Chest pain
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatitis, or liver tumors
Cancer (or if you have had cancer in the past)
Yellowing of the eyes or skin during a prior pregnancy or oral contraceptive use
High cholesterol
Gallbladder disease
Heart valve problems
Depression
Unexplained vaginal bleeding
Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:

Will be having surgery
Smoke cigarettes
Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
Are breastfeeding.

You should also tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(This article discusses some of the warnings and precautions with oral contraceptives in general. For information that is specific to your oral contraceptive, see your particular birth control pill within emedtv.com.)

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