Long-Term Birth Control Pill Use & Uterus Lining Problems

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Dr. Joshua Vogel, with Carolina OB/GYN-Wilmington Health Associates, and I'd like to talk to you today about the long-term use of birth control pills and problems with the lining of the uterus. Obviously, birth control pills are a very commonly form used form of contraception. Everyone who's ever used them is aware that one of the great benefits is a decrease in menstrual flow. The way this happens is the hormonal effect on the lining of the uterus causes it to get thinner over time. Unfortunately, sometimes there is an adverse consequence of this same effect if it evolves over time to an overly thin lining of the uterus can result in total absence of your menstruation which for a lot of women isn't so bad, but can then evolve to actual breakthrough bleeding and abnormal bleeding. If this occurs a simple assessment with your doctor it should result in a a fairly simple and effective way to treat it, and once it's corrected you can resume the use of your birth control pills, if desired. This has been a discussion of some of the potential long-term consequences of birth control use on the lining of the uterus."