The Dangers of Contraceptives: Abortifacient?

Contraceptives is a very intricate and complex subject that has caught the interest of many scientists and concerned citizens. It has reached their limit of curiosity that they have dedicated their lives in researching on how contraceptives work. But despite of all the researches done by the experts, a lot is still not understood by many, in which I humbly include myself. Among the many issues regarding contraceptives (birth control) is it's effects to the ones using it. For what I know, contraceptives prevents a woman to become pregnant. From the word itself, Contra meaning against, contra conception. It has been an unending debate whether contraceptives acts as an abortifacient or not. When an abortifacient is clearly defined as an agent (as a drug) that induces abortion.* while contraceptives prevents pregnancy by interfering with the normal process of ovulation, fertilization, and implantation.^ These debates about using contraceptives has been going on and on ever since the House Bill 5043 or most commonly known as The Reproductive Health Bill passed the congress. One of the government's answer to the overpopulation of our country according to them, is the use of contraceptives or artificial family planning wherein they consider contraceptives as an essential medicine. It is stated in the Section 10 of the House Bill 5043 that Hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, injectables and other allied reproductive health products and supplies shall be considered under the category of essential medicines and supplies which shall form part of the National Drug Formulary and the same shall be included in the regular purchase of essential medicines and supplies of all national and lord hospitals and other government health units. This study aims to inform and to clear misunderstandings regarding contraceptives being an abortifacient. It will help the users, and the ones planning to use it, especially women, to be well informed in the dangers and side effects of contraceptives. And me, as a growing teenager, I will become more aware and would have enough knowledge about what contraceptives may bring. In that way, I will have the urge to make the right decision whether to use it or not in the nearer future. This research is focused on how the contraceptives work and when it becomes an abortifacient. It focuses on the dangers and side effects of these contraceptives or birth controls in general. For all the females who uses contraceptives specifically birth control pills, IUD's, condoms, tubal ligations, and injectables.

* Merriam-Webster Dictionary ^ http://www.healthofchildren.com/C/Contraception.html

Every month a woman's body begins the process that can potentially lead to pregnancy. An egg (ovum) matures, the mucus that is secreted by the cervix (a cylindrical-shaped organ at the lower end of the uterus) changes to be more inviting to sperm, and the lining of the uterus grows in preparation for receiving a fertilized egg. Any woman who wants to prevent pregnancy must use a reliable form of birth control. Birth control (contraception) is designed to interfere with the normal process and prevent the pregnancy that could result. There are different kinds of birth control that act at different points in the process, from ovulation through fertilization to implantation. Each method has its own side effects and risks. Some methods are more reliable than others.

Unfortunately, there is no perfect form of birth control. Only abstinence (not having sexual intercourse) protects against unwanted pregnancy with 100 percent reliability. The failure rates, or the rates at which pregnancy occurs, for most forms of birth control are quite low. However, some forms of birth control are more difficult or inconvenient to use than others. In actual practice, the birth control methods that are more difficult or inconvenient have much higher failure rates, because they are not used faithfully.* There are a lot of danger and risks in using contraceptives. Here are some precautions one concerned woman should bother reading: According to Breast Cancer: Its link to Abortion and the Birth Control Pill by Chris Kahlenborn, MD, The oral contraceptive pill, also known as the birth control pill, is currently being used by over 10 million women in the U.S. . A number of physicians and researchers have noted that the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is actually an abortifacient (ie, an agent that causes an early abortion; specifically, any agent that causes death of the zygote, embryo, or fetus after conception has occurred). Normally, the pituitary gland produces two hormones called FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone). These hormones serve to stimulate the ovary to produce an egg each month (ie, to ovulate). The ovary is the site of production of the woman's two central female hormones, estradiol (EST), a type of estrogen, and progesterone (PRO), a type of progestin. Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are a combination of synthetic estrogen and progestin. Oral contraceptives "fool" the pituitary gland so that it produces less follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. These two hormones are needed for ovulation to occur, therefore, OCPs suppress, but do not eliminate ovulation. Oral contraceptives have two other main effects:

1. They thin the inner lining of the uterus (called the endometrium), depleting it of glycogen (ie, a type of sugar), and decreasing its thickness. A thinner endometrium has a decreased blood supply. 2. They may thicken the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for the sperm to travel up through the cervix. The evidence for this is weak and not strongly supported by the rabbit model.

Of course, OCP use could not cause abortions if it always stopped ovulation so this needs to be the first issue that is raised. A clear proof of the occurrence of ovulation is provided by noting what the drug companies which manufacture OCPs state. If one opens up the PDR (Physician's Desk Reference, 1998) one will find a table describing the "efficacy rate" of the OCP. In every table listed under each OCP one notes a "typical failure rate" of 3%. The PDR defines this as the rate of annual pregnancy occurrence noted in "typical couples who initiate use of a method (not necessarily for the first time) and who use it consistently and correctly during the first year if they do not stop for any other reason." This means that even couples who used the pill consistently over the course of a year had a pregnancy rate of 3%. A 1996 paper by Potter gave an excellent overview of the matter. She noted that the most recent data point to a rate of pregnancy for "typical use" as being 7%, which is probably the more accurate statistic given the immediacy of her research and the fact that today's OCPs are lower dose ones, theoretically permitting a higher rate of breakthrough ovulation. From these estimates of OCP failure and the common experience of on-pill pregnancies, it is clear that both ovulation and conception occur in couples who use OCPs. IUD: This device can increase the risk of serious pelvic infection. The IUD can also injure the uterus by poking into or through the uterine wall. Surgery might be needed to fix this injury.* Tubal sterilization: "Tying the tubes" is a surgical procedure and has all the risks of any other surgery, including the risks of anesthesia, infection, and bleeding. * Condom: The most common problems associated with condoms are breakage during use and improper technique in using condoms. These can lead to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV. *

* http://es.healthetreatment.com/childrens-health/C/Contraception/

For this study to achieve it's main goal, it is advised to use reliable sources from the internet with the source having the year 2004 as it's latest publication or post to ensure accuracy of evidences and datas. Books, encyclopedias and other publications related to the topic will also be used in order to have accuracy and precision in supporting the main ideas. Past researches by the experts is another reliable and accurate source in this topic. These experts know a lot in this field, thus, believable and truthful. Surveys will also be conducted if ever necessary. If there is no accurate source that can be cited, then that is the time that surveys regarding the usage of contraceptives are done. The survey would include questions such as: Do you use contraceptives or any forms of birth control?; If yes, what kind of birth control and why?; If you have been using such contraceptives, what side effects have you experienced? A maximum of 30-50 females aged 12 and above are the target respondents. Video clips and presentations are also sources that can be of help in this study. Video clips nowadays contain a lot information that can aid the research. Another pro in video clips is that it is fast and easy. Just one click and after a few minutes, information are delivered. Interviewing females aged 12 above would also be very ideal. Not just females, but also couples that have used contraceptives or birth controls. They are a living witness to the effectiveness of contraceptives or birth control. Testimonies claiming whether using contraceptives are effective and safe, and is worth taking. This method is really a big necessity in this study.

Mary Camille S. Llorente 512-B Kundiman St. Sampaloc, Manila 4930125 / 09159403633 16 years old Female EDUCATION: 2008 - 2012 Don Bosco School (Salesian Sisters) Inc. 2005-2008 Legarda Elementary School 2004-2005 Holy Trinity Academy 2003-2004 De Castro Elementary School 2002-2003 St. Bridget School ORGANIZATIONS/ PARTICIPATIONS: Don Bosco School (Salesian Sisters) Inc. 2011-2012 DBS Chorale- President Student Council- member SYM Leader 10- Bl. Eusebia Palomino Class President DBS Sportsfest- Asst. Over-all Head Official DBS band "The Pulse" - vocalist NYD Closing Participant 2010-2011 DBS Chorale - member DBS Combo - member (guitarist/vocalist) Student Council - member SYM Leader 9- Jasper Class President 2009-2010 DBS Combo - member (guitarist/vocalist) Student Council - member SYM Leader 8- Topaz Class President (3rd and 4th qrtr.) P.R.O. (1st and 2nd qrtr.) 2008-2009 DBS Combo - member (guitarist) SYM Leader 7- Jade Class Peacemaker (Sgt. at Arms) ABILITIES: Singing, Danicing, Swimming, Composing poems, songs, literary works Fluent in Filipino and English REFERENCES: Ms. Jovita Dupingay, Class Adviser (S.Y . 2010-2011 at S.Y . 2011-2012) Ms. Edna Tripoli, Class Adviser (S.Y . 2009-2010) Ms. Lov Joy Penalba Class Adviser (S.Y . 2008-2009)

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ENGLISH PROJECT
Research Paper

Mary Camille S. Llorente 10 Bl. Eusebia Palomino Ms. Iza Pagkalinawan