Long-term effects

Q I’ve used contraception for five years - should I give my body a break? Tilly, Liverpool A

Using long-term contraception does not usually cause any health problems. In fact, there are many methods of birth control, such as the Mirena coil, which are inserted for five years at a time. Long-term contraception may also be taken to alleviate the symptoms of chronic conditions such as endometriosis. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been using it for, it will still be just as effective after several years. Contraception uses hormones that are already naturally found in the body, so they won’t build up or cause lasting damage over time. If you are concerned about your birth control, I recommend speaking to your doctor.