Birth Control Pill Side Effects: All You Need to Know

“Birth control pill side effects” is one of the most searched birth control pill related query on the internet. In this post, we’ll share with you some of the most common side effects you might notice if you take such medicines.

Overview

In the past few decades, since buying birth control pills like Lo Ovral or Yasmin Pill has become easy, people have started taking birth control seriously. This is the reason why most families today have a maximum of two kids. Such awareness among people is necessary for seeing the impact of the population explosion on the environment.

However, there are some drawbacks too associated with the use of birth control pills. Before using these pills for birth control, you need to be aware of the side effects of the pill. Use the pills only once you are well informed.

Read More: 20 Most Common Questions About Abortion & Solutions

Here we have listed out some of the prominent side effects experienced by women after consuming the birth control pills:

Birth Control Pill Side Effects

1. Headaches

One of the common side effects of birth control pills in women could be headaches. Some hormones are known to trigger headaches and migraines in women.

The frequency and intensity of these headaches could depend on the dosage of medicines. You may consider altering the birth control medicines to eliminate the chances of headache.

2. Spotting between Periods

If you have just started using the birth control pills, the chances of breakthrough spotting are very high. The spotting will reduce once the body gets accustomed to the birth control medicines you are using.

This could be 2-3 months after the start of the pill. You may however consult your doctor to know whether everything is ok and whether you need to have some other birth control medication instead.

3. Weight Gain

Some hormones tend to affect the bodyweight of a woman. They tend to gain weight as they consume certain birth control pills.

Studies have revealed a clear connection between the use of progestin-only contraceptive pills and bodyweight gain. Other contraceptive pills have also revealed similar results causing a reduction in lean body mass and weight gain in individuals.

4. Breast Tenderness

When a woman starts on the birth control pills the very first time, she may experience breast enlargement and breast tenderness. These are temporary symptoms that may wear down as the body gets accustomed to birth control tablets.

You may consider reducing the caffeine intake in order to deal with breast tenderness. You may also reduce the amount of salt in your regular diet.

5. Nausea

Like many other medicines, even birth control pills may have some adverse effects on the digestive health of the person when she first has it. She may experience nausea when she first consumes the tablet. This however subsides with time as the body gets used to the medicine.

If the symptoms like nausea persist for more than 3 months, it may be a matter to worry about and you may consult your doctor immediately.

Read More: Missed Birth Control Pills? Here’s What To Do Next

6. Fluctuations in Mood

Even the natural hormones in a woman’s body may cause mood swings in the different stages of her cycle. So, it does not come as a surprise that fluctuations in mood are caused as a result of birth control tablets.

The medicines may cause anxiety and changes in mood. Since excessive mood swings and anxiety may result in depression, it is best to consult a doctor if these mood swings appear to be of the serious kind.

7. Reduction in Libido

The reason for women choosing to have birth control pills is because they have desires that cannot be controlled. However, having birth control pills may adversely affect these desires or a woman’s libido.

This is the reason why you need to select your birth control pills carefully and use them within the right limits. You must also consult your doctor regarding the decreased libido if it persists for long.

8. Vaginal Discharge

All women have a vaginal discharge of a certain nature and frequency. This could be affected as a result of birth control pills. The overall lubrication may increase or decrease. It may also affect the quality or texture of vaginal discharge.

Usually, a change in vaginal discharge may not be a matter of concern. However, in rare situations, the odor and texture of vaginal discharge may reflect some existing infections in the body. If this is the case, you may have to get yourself tested.

Similarly, if there is a reduction in vaginal discharge that causes dryness, you may have to make use of lubricants to make the intercourse painless.

9. Missing Periods

There are two types of birth control pills available for women for regular use.

• Combination Pills: These pills contain progestin as well as oestrogen. These medicines strips have some medicines that are active while some others that are non-active pills. The non-active pills are provided so that women can continue to have their regular periods.
• Mini Pills or Progestin Only Pills: A woman won’t have periods as long as she is on these pills. These birth control pills are an ideal choice for women who bleed heavily. However, it is best to consult a doctor when you miss a period. It will help you feel safe too.

10. Changes in the Cornea

While birth control pills do not hamper eye health in any way, it may cause an increase in the thickness of the cornea. This could mean that women who use contact lenses may face some issues regarding the proper placement of contact lenses.

A good idea is to contact your ophthalmologist in case you face such a problem and have difficulty using your contact lenses. He may suggest a different lens to suit your eyes now.

Read More: Can You Get Pregnant On The Pill? Possible Signs & Safety Measures

How to Choose Birth Control Options?

There are some basic things that you need to consider while choosing the right birth control pills. Here we have listed these so that you may make a well-informed decision:

• Age of the woman consuming the birth control pills matter. After 35, the effectiveness of the pills may reduce and some of the side effects may get more prominent.
• Overweight women have different birth control requirements. This is because the effect of birth control pills on overweight women is different from that on regular women.
• Women who have existing health conditions should take those into consideration while picking a birth control method. There should be no drug interactions of the birth control pill with the existing medicines.
• Women with a weak heart should not consider the use of birth control pills as these pills may affect the circulation rate.