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Jun 20, 2024 · Choosing the best birth control pills with the least side effects means checking how specific pills affect the body. Some cause acne, sore breasts, breakthrough bleeding, or mood changes. Find out which pills avoid the side effects most important to you.
- Overview
- What are birth control pills?
- What are the side effects?
- Are there any health risks associated with birth control pills?
- Is the pill safe for long-term use?
- Anything else I should know?
- The bottom line
Hormonal birth control pills can cause mild side effects, including acne, bloating, and spotting. Having certain health conditions, such as epilepsy or migraine with aura, may increase your risk for more serious side effects.
Birth control pills are oral contraceptives that contain hormones, which prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs during ovulation. They also encourage the thickening of cervical mucus to act as a barrier between sperm and any eggs that may be released.
In the past, there was only one option for taking oral contraceptives. It involved taking a daily hormone pill for 21 days followed by a placebo pill (usually made of sugar) for 7 days. During this week of placebo pills, you’d have your period.
Today, there are many variations of the pill. Some only include four days of placebo pills, while others don’t have any placebo pills, allowing you to skip your period altogether.
The freedom that birth control pills provide does come with a few side effects, though. Read on to learn more about them and other things to consider about the pill.
All forms of hormonal birth control can cause a range of side effects. Most are mild and may resolve after the first two or three months of taking the pill.
These include:
•acne
•bleeding or spotting between periods
•bloating
•blood pressure above your usual range
Nearly all forms of birth control involving estrogen can increase your risk of certain health problems. But according to Planned Parenthood, these risks aren’t common. More serious potential side effects of birth control pills include:
•blood clots
•gallbladder disease
•heart attack
•high blood pressure
•liver cancer
The pill is generally safe to take over a long period of time. But there is some research that suggests it might raise your risks of developing some types of cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, taking birth control pills may increase your risk of breast cancer or cervical cancer over time. The longer you use them, the higher the risk.
However, there have been conflicting study results regarding this risk: some show an increased risk of breast cancer while others show no increase in risk.
But taking the pill is also linked to a reduced risk of other cancers. A recent large, long-term study found that the pill consistently lowered the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.
A 2017 study found a similar reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer associated use of the pill.
If you’re concerned about your risk of certain types of cancer, talk to your doctor. They can help you weigh any other factors that might increase your risk and help you choose an option you’re comfortable with.
In addition to potential side effects and risks, there are a few other things to consider before deciding to use birth control pills:
•Frequency. You’ll need to take the pill every day at the same time. If you miss one dose, you’ll need to use a backup form of birth control for the next seven days to prevent pregnancy. In addition, after a lapse in contraception, you may have spotting or light bleeding after the missed pills.
•Intimacy. The pill doesn’t interfere with any sexual activities. You won’t have to pause to take it during sex.
•Time line. The pill takes about seven days to start working. If you’re sexually active during that time, you’ll need to use a backup form of contraception.
The birth control pill is a popular, effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy and is generally accepted as a safe method of birth control. However, it can cause serious side effects in rare cases.
Talk to your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks of the pill and to discuss alternatives, including the shot or patch.
Common side effects of the combined pill. You may have some side effects when you first start taking the combined contraceptive pill (also called the pill). Bleeding between periods (breakthrough bleeding) or changes to your periods are common in the first few months.
- Spotting between periods. Estrogen and progestin are female sex hormones that control the functioning of the uterus and ovaries. Birth control pills contain small amounts of synthetic estrogen and progestin that inhibit the activity of natural estrogen and progestin found inside the female body.
- Headaches. Cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands and is involved in many body functions. It is mainly responsible for controlling how your body responds to stress.
- Changes in vaginal lubrication. The chemical estrogen present in birth control pills binds the natural estrogen circulating in the blood to make it unavailable for use.
- Bloating. Starting a new birth control pill causes fluctuations in the levels of your sex hormones, which can lead to water retention and bloating, especially in the breast and hip areas.
Apr 25, 2024 · As with any medication, there are potential side effects associated with hormonal birth control, such as headache, nausea, breast soreness, vaginal yeast infections, mood swings, and spotting between periods.
Aug 2, 2022 · Some of the most common birth control pill side effects are breast tenderness, headaches, nausea, bloating, rise in blood pressure levels, menstrual cycle changes and breakthrough bleeding or spotting. In most cases these present as pretty mild and go away in time. Although uncommon, there can be some serious side effects of going on the pill.
Jun 28, 2023 · Long-term side effects of birth control pills do occur, but using oral contraceptives generally is considered safe and effective for most people. In some cases, pills that contain estrogen can raise the risk of stroke, blood clots, and heart attacks in some people and should be avoided.
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