does anyone else wonder if BC is harmful?

I don't think it can have an effect on your body as far as future pregnancies ( I am over 40 and just went off and my GYN said my FHS levels were great!)
However, I did get a physical side effect that made me go off of it.
It was definitely the cause!
But it was just recently discovered by Drs.
(Let's just say I went #2 13 times a day two weeks out of the month).

Some studies show that being on bc control is actually good for you. Especially the newer, low dose pills.

BCPs can prevent ovarian and uterine cancer, prevent bone density loss, and reduces the chances of getting ovarian cysts.

Here is a site on: Mary MOB

Long term effects of birth control pills

I had a really long response to this a minute ago and lost it somehow.

I am going to preface this with the disclaimer that I am in NO way a health professional and am therefore not imparting any medical advice, LOL. I only know a lot about women's health because my mother is a nurse practitioner in OB/GYN.

There are next to no long term effects of the pill for the average healthy person. In fact, the risks involved with the pill itself are relatively low. The real dangers are if you are severely overweight, a smoker (very VERY bad), have high cholesterol/blood pressure, have diabetes, or have a history of blood clots, etc, in which case no reputable doctor would prescribe it in the first place. In fact, taking the BC pill is statistically safer than childbirth itself. Yup. And in certain instances, it may prevent ovarian cysts which can cause ovarian cancer.

There is a significant number of reported complications with the Depo shot as well as the BC patch (Ortho Evra), but I am not too familiar. I am sure there are numerous medical complications with the pill as well, but that is true with any medication.

BC has been approved since 1960 and has improved vastly since it has emerged. I am not preaching that it's right for anyone or everyone (I'm not even on it, nor do I intend to go on in the near future) but there is a lot of misinformation out there. It remains to be one of the most effective ways in preventing an unwanted pregnancy when taken the correct way.

In regards to being off birth control before pregnancy, it's recommended at least a few menstrual cycles. It can take a healthy couple even a year to get pregnant even if there are no problems.

I have asked my doctor numerous times about BC regarding pregnancy. He said that there are no studies that can link BC to a couple not being able to get pregnant once you are off it. He said if you are having trouble getting pregnant, it has nothing to do with whether or not you have a history of taking BC.
As for those who think that BC shouldn't be used...that is because you have regular periods. If you had heavy bleeding in which you had to change every 3 hours and cramps that feel like you are in labor, you might consider taking BC. I take a low dose of it (low ovral) and I've also gone off it twice before...I never had any reactions to going off it, other than going back to the severe cramps and heavy bleeding. BC is completely safe!