Scientific evidence suggests using birth control pills for longer periods of time increases your risk of some cancers, such as cervical cancer and liver cancer, but it also decreases your risk of other types of cancer, including ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. The effect of birth control pills on breast cancer risk isn't quite clear. However, some studies do show a link between pill use and breast cancer.

Maybe. The birth control pills that are on the market today have very low levels of estrogen, or no estrogen at all. Although various studies have been conducted, it is currently unclear how birth control pills affect your risk for breast cancer (American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute). If you plan to be on birth control pills for five years or more, your risk may increase. This is something you should discuss with your doctor. No, none of the above causes breast cancer.

A new study published this week in the prestigious medical journal, the Journal of the American Medical Association (10/11/00) evaluated whether there was any increased risk of breast cancer in women who have a strong family history of breast cancer already.

Frequent use of bacteria-killing mouthwashes can disrupt the natural balance of mouth flora, causing fungi or chromogenic (color-changing) bacteria to collect and form a dark coating. blepharitis, which is a common inflammatory malady of the eyelids that interferes with tear-producing glands and irritates surrounding skin.

A woman's risk of developing breast cancer depends on several factors, some of which are related to her natural hormones. Hormonal factors that increase the risk of breast cancer include conditions that allow high levels of estrogen to persist for long periods of time, such as early age at first menstruation (before age 12), late age at menopause (after age 55), having children after age 30, and not having children at all.

I'd estimate that there have been about 25 clinical studies addressing this question; 1/3 suggest the pill increases risk, 1/3 indicate it has no effect, and 1/3 suggest it decreases risk. Without conclusive science, we're left to judge. Unlike HRT, which is replacing lost estrogen, birth control pills are used to increase or regulate estrogen from already "normal” levels. Therefore, for most women, barring other risk factors, I believe the risk posed to be minimal.

Women with the BRCA1 gene mutation (less than 10 percent of all diagnoses of breast cancer) appear to have an increased risk of early onset of breast cancer if they started taking the pills before 1975*, before age 30, or for more than five years. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you may be concerned. However, the vast majority of women do not appear to be at increased risk. This is according to a CARE (Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences) study published in 2002.

This is an area of controversy and there is no definitive answer for this question. There have been studies that show no increase risk of breast cancer in birth control pill users and there have been studies that demonstrate the converse. From a review of all of these studies the conclusion that can be drawn is that birth control pills do not initiate breast cancer in women. However, they may promote breast cancer in current users.

Birth control pills aren't recommended for women over age 35 who smoke because it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. If you're 35 or older, and you smoke, you need to quit smoking before you can safely continue using your birth control pill.

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Slight nausea, mood changes, and occasional mild weight gain are common. Consult your health care provider if these symptoms occur. Serious side effects occur infrequently, especially if you are in good health and do not smoke. If you notice severe pain in chest, head, belly, or lower leg; sudden problems with speech; dizzines; yellow skin or eyes; or breast lump, call your health care provider immediately. ^ Contraceptive FAQ | ^ Top

All women are at risk for breast cancer. Risk factors that may increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer include: age, family history, genetics, previous breast biopsy showing benign (non-cancerous) conditions, menstruation beginning at an early age, menstruation continuing past age 50, not having children, having a first child after age 30, and high fat diets. However, 80% of women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors.

When diagnosed early, breast cancer has an excellent prognosis. Individuals with breast cancer are more likely to get breast cancer again, and those who are on Tamoxifen for a prolonged period of time are at an increased risk for developing uterine cancer. A second cancer may develop within the field of radiation. Chemotherapy may be linked to additional malignancies years later. Radiation treatment also increases the risk for lung cancer in those who smoke.

No! There’s nothing in Breast Gain Plus™ ingredients that will interfere in any way with a proper function of birth control medications.

Breast implants will not change your risk for breast cancer. The implants may change the feel of breast lumps during an examination - sometimes, breast implants may even make breast lumps easier to detect, by "pushing" the breast lumps closer to the skin surface. We recommend continued surveillence for breast cancer with annual mammograms for those over 35 and routine physical examinations.

Women who have never given birth are at slightly increased risk than women who have given birth, particularly those who have had a pregnancy at a young age. The effect is extremely small, however. The chance of breast cancer spreading is substantially less if it is caught and treated early. For Stage 1 cancer, approximately 90% of the women can be cured with surgery alone.

Alarmist newspapers have frightened many women from taking hormones their bodies made naturally all of their reproductive lives. The press screamed a 26% increase in breast cancer risk in the Women's Health Initiative study. What they did not say was that of 10,000 women taking Prempro, only eight more would develop breast cancer and only seven more would have heart attacks. Women, however, are no longer willing to accept any unnecessary risks nor should they.

During menopause, a woman's body significantly reduces the production of estrogen. This decrease in estrogen may cause hot flashes, bone loss, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. To lessen the side effects, doctors may prescribe HRT. Recent use of combination hormone replacement therapy has been shown to increase breast cancer risk, with higher risk associated with longer use.

If there is any increased risk, it is minimal. Various studies show an increase of zero to 5%. Most authorities agree that estrogen speeds up the rate at which breast cancer grows once it is there, but doesn't actually cause it in the first place. This can work to your advantage, allowing you to discover the tumor before it has a chance to metastasize (spread).

Traditional birth control pills make your reproductive system mimic a regular 28-day monthly cycle. For the first 21 days, you take active pills containing reproductive hormones. For the last seven days, you take a placebo. While you're taking the placebo pills, you bleed vaginally, as if you were having a regular menstrual period. By contrast, extended-cycle birth control pills contain active hormones for every day of the month.

No. There is nothing in breast enhancement pills that interferes with birth control pill effectiveness.

No. None of the ingredients in breast enhancement pills interfere with birth control pill effectiveness. No, it is never a good idea to to stray from the manufacturers guidelines on how and when to take their product. Most breast enhancement companies have tested and have had thousands of people use their products. They are in the best position to recommend the correct dosage schedule.

If you continued taking your birth control pill because you didn't realize you were pregnant, don't be alarmed. Despite years of this accident happening, there's very little evidence that exposure to the hormones in birth control pills causes birth defects. Still, the birth control pill is a potent estrogen.

It's possible to use standard estrogen-progestin birth control pills for emergency contraception, but check with your doctor for the proper dose and timing of the pills. There is a special type of contraceptive pill that's specifically designed to keep you from becoming pregnant if you've had unprotected vaginal intercourse.

Women often blame the birth control pill for weight gain. But studies have shown that the effect of the birth control pill on weight is small — if it exists at all. However, the way the hormones in birth control pills act on tissues in your breasts, hips and thighs can make you feel as if you've gained weight. This is usually due to fluid retention and not increased body mass or fat.

Birth control pills can affect cholesterol levels. How much of an effect depends on the type of pill you're taking and what concentration of estrogen or progestin it contains. The estrogen in birth control pills causes an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (the "good" cholesterol), a decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (the "bad" cholesterol) and an increase in your total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Birth control pills may increase blood pressure. The risk of high blood pressure in women who take birth control pills also increases with age and the duration of use. If you take birth control pills, have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you already have high blood pressure, consider an alternative form of birth control. If you do choose to take the pill, have your blood pressure closely monitored by your doctor.

The effects of antibiotics on birth control pills may be overstated — except in the case of one antibiotic, rifampin. Studies clearly show that rifampin decreases the effectiveness of birth control pills in preventing ovulation. However, rifampin isn't a widely used antibiotic. Chances are you wouldn't be taking it unless you had tuberculosis or had tested positive for the disease.

A woman still goes through menopause even if she is taking birth control pills. But she may not know it. Menopause occurs naturally when your ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone. Eventually your menstrual periods stop, and you can no longer become pregnant. Signs and symptoms of decreased production of estrogen and progesterone include hot flashes, sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness.