A Helpful Guide to Birth Control Side Effects

For a lot of women, birth control side effects are possible with the use of oral contraceptives. In spite of this commonality, not everyone who uses birth control pills will experience side effects. If there are any side effects that are involved, most women tolerate them quite well. Additionally, if side effects do occur, they are generally minor and can be easily treated by you or your doctor.

In clinical studies for most medications, one group of people is given the actual medication, while another group is given a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients). The side effects in both groups are carefully documented and compared. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine. However, it is not possible to use a placebo in clinical trials for birth control pills, as this would lead to many unintentional pregnancies.

It is impossible to use a placebo in clinical trials for birth control pills as the end result would be many unplanned pregnancies. With that being said, it is rather difficult to obtain much information on birth control pill side effects; only vague information is available for consumers. Instead of listing the side effects for a specific pill, the prescribing information will simply list the general side effects that have been seen with the use of birth control pills.

Some of the most common birth control pill side effects include:

• Acne (some birth control pills can also improve acne problems

• Breast tenderness and enlargement

• Breakthrough bleeding and spotting between cycles

• Nausea and vomiting

• Bloating

• Headaches

• Changes in sex drive (typically a decrease)

• Weight gain

Most of the available birth control pills on the market today contain two key ingredients: estrogen and progestin. All of the types of birth control pills that contain estrogen use the same kind of estrogen, but the dose can vary. The strength of the estrogen, the type of progestin and the dose all play a role in determining which side effects a particular birth control pill is likely to have.

There are some progestins that have testosterone-like activity and are often thought to carry a higher risk for acne and excessive hair growth. On the other hand, there are certain progestins that have an anti-testosterone effect are thought to be useful in treating acne problems or excessive hair growth. There are some progestins that may cause an excessive amount of water retention while others may help to relieve this problem.

When you and your physician have decided upon a birth control pill that is right for you, be sure to discuss any of the possible birth control pill side effects that may concern you. For example, if you have issues with acne, your doctor may pick a birth control pill that is likely to improve that area rather than making it worse.

Take into account that while infrequent, there are some birth control side effects that are potentially serious and these should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately. The following is a list of the side effects you should be aware of:

• Depression or other emotional changes’

• Migraine headaches

• Lumps in the breast

• Vaginal bleeding that is heavy between cycles (light bleeding or spotting is normal)

• Hypertension

• High cholesterol

Side Effects of Birth Control Pills to Report

Blood clots can also be a potential issue that is correlated with birth control side effects that are more serious. In order to tell if you are suffering from a blood clot, you will have pain in the calf area, leg cramps, and your feet may swell.

Blood clots can also form in the lungs, so if you are experiencing shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, or find yourself coughing up blood, get yourself to your doctor or local emergency room immediately. Additionally, sudden loss of vision or vision changes can indicate that there may be a blood clot in the eye.

Serious birth control pill side effects can also cause liver damage; signs of liver damage can be spotted by jaundice, dark urine, and/or pain in the upper-right area of the abdomen. Some women also experience allergic reactions to certain birth control pills. These reactions can show up in the forms of unexplained rashes, hives, itching, unexplained swelling in areas, wheezing, and difficulty with breathing or swallowing.

You are probably wondering if you should take a birth control pill because of all of the previously mentioned potential side effects. Well, there are many women who do not experience any of the above mentioned with the use of birth control pills. In order for you to ascertain if these will happen to you, you must give the pill of your choice at least three months to tell. Once again, if a particular pill does not agree with your body, try a new one out. Eventually, you will find the one that works for you.