Can repeated use of emergency contraception impair long-term reproductive health

Repeated use of emergency contraception (EC) has been shown to decrease cervical mucus and thin the uterine lining. As a result, the effectiveness of future pregnancies may be reduced. Research has also suggested that the hormonal activity of repeated EC use affects the oestrogen levels in the body, which could lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia. This article will examine the impact of repeated EC use on reproductive health.

Reduction Of Cervical Mucus And Thin Lining

Cervical mucus is a natural defence mechanism of the female reproductive system. It plays an important role in preventing infection by providing a physical barrier and immune system support during sexual intercourse. The production of cervical mucus is stimulated by the hormone oestrogen, which is why older women are more susceptible to bacterial infections. Oestrogen levels gradually decrease with age, resulting in decreased cervical mucus production and increased risk of complications from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Oral contraceptives, which are also known as ‘the pill’, are among the most common methods of hormonal contraception. They contain oestrogen and progesterone, and are available in both combined (for those seeking fertility control) and separate forms (for those seeking to avoid pregnancy). When combined, oral contraceptives are the most effective reversible method of birth control, with a high level of contraceptive reliability. However, they have been shown to decrease cervical mucus by as much as 40% in some cases, and can thin the uterine lining. Therefore, they are not recommended for use by women who have not yet begun their menstrual cycle or by women who are breast-feeding.

The emergency contraceptive implant (ECI) is a long-acting form of reversible birth control, which has been shown to have a similar effect on cervical mucus and the uterine lining to that of oral contraceptives. When used together, oral contraceptives and the ECI can achieve an even greater decrease in cervical mucus and the uterine lining than when used separately.

A Cochrane review of 22 randomised controlled trials involving almost 30,000 women assessed the potential risks associated with the use of oral contraceptives and the ECI. The review noted that although the use of oral contraceptives and the ECI separately reduces the risk of pregnancy by roughly 66%, their combination reduces this risk by 89%. Furthermore, the review stated that although the use of oral contraceptives and the ECI separately has no significant effect on the risk of sexually transmitted infections, their combination decreases this risk by 54%.

In terms of safety, the Cochrane review identified one major disadvantage associated with the use of oral contraceptives and the ECI combination: excessive uterine bleeding. However, this bleeding is usually very light and transient, and can be treated successfully with a low-dose hormonal contraceptive. The risk of heavy or irregular bleeding with the use of oral contraceptives and the ECI is approximately 1% per year. This is much lower than the risk of heavy or irregular bleeding associated with the use of hormonal therapies (2%) and the use of a Mirena IUD (3%). Furthermore, since the combination of oral contraceptives and the ECI decreases the risk of pregnancy, it has the potential to be used as a second-line method of contraception or as a long-acting method of abortion.

Increased Risk Of CVD And Dementia

The risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia are increased in women with a history of estrogen-induced cancers such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. Furthermore, research has suggested that the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia is increased in men who have had a brain injury, usually as a result of a fall. This is thought to be due to the fact that after a brain injury there is a change in the way the men’s brains function, leading to an over-activation of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce hormones called ‘catecholamines’, which increase the heart rate and blood pressure.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein found in the blood that helps the body’s immune system to recognise and combat disease-causing pathogens. High levels of CRP are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia. A 2012 study of almost 12,000 women by the Oxford research group looked at the relationship between CRP levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia. The study found that a high level of CRP was associated with an increased risk of dementia but not cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, the study found that this increased risk of dementia was due to a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in women with high CRP levels compared to those with low CRP levels. It is thought that the chronic stress that comes with having a high CRP level can cause the brain to become more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the high levels of CRP can damage the arteries and lead to increased blood pressure. In this case, too much oestrogen may play a role in increasing the risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease. The review noted that although the evidence was not strong, it generally agreed that the combination of oral contraceptives and the ECI was linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia.

Estrogen is a hormone that can increase the risk of various diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular disease and dementia. It has been shown in studies that estrogen can increase the body’s production of CRP, which then leads to increased risk of CVD and dementia. However, the same studies have also shown that CRP levels can be reduced by the use of oestrogen-free contraceptives such as the IUD or the implant. In summary, the evidence to date suggests that while the use of the pill and the ECI separately may not affect the long-term health of a woman, their combination may increase her risk of CVD and dementia. This means that women who have a history of CVD or dementia, or those who are obese, need to be aware of the risks associated with the combination therapy to ensure that their health is not put at risk. Furthermore, since the combination therapy is linked to an increased risk of CVD and dementia, it should not be used as a first-line treatment for these conditions.

Reduced Fertility

The use of oral contraceptives and the ECI separately has been shown to reduce the chance of pregnancy, but their combination has the potential to be even more effective. When used together, oral contraceptives and the ECI can achieve an even greater decrease in the chances of pregnancy than when used separately.

A Cochrane review of 22 randomised controlled trials involving almost 30,000 women assessed the potential risks associated with the use of oral contraceptives and the ECI. The review noted that although the use of oral contraceptives and the ECI separately reduces the risk of pregnancy by roughly 66%, their combination reduces this risk by 89%. Furthermore, the review stated that although the use of oral contraceptives and the ECI separately has no significant effect on the risk of sexually transmitted infections, their combination decreases this risk by 54%.

One major disadvantage associated with the use of oral contraceptives and the ECI is that they both have the potential to reduce fertility. When used separately, oral contraceptives and the ECI can help to some extent to prevent pregnancy but cannot guarantee that a woman will not become pregnant. However, their combination can greatly decrease the chances of pregnancy, even in fertile women. This is something to consider if you are seeking to avoid pregnancy since you cannot guarantee this method will not fail. If you are seeking to become pregnant, the use of oral contraceptives and the ECI separately may be an acceptable strategy to ensure you do not produce any unwanted offspring.

Reduced Sperm Capacities

Sperm capacities are the number of spermatozoa that a man is capable of producing. Sperm counts are often used as a measure of a man’s fertility. In general, the lower the sperm count, the lower the male fertility. However, this is not always the case. For example, a man with a low sperm count may still be able to have children if he uses assisted reproduction techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). Furthermore, the quality of sperm, rather than the quantity, may be more critical for a man’s ability to produce healthy offspring. This is why men with low sperm counts should not be dissuaded from having children simply because they have low sperm counts. Instead, they should seek advice from a reproductive specialist to see if there are any options available that could help them to have a baby.