Hormonal birth control pills can cause mild side effects such as acne, bloating, and spotting. In rare instances, they may increase your risk of more serious health issues, like blood clots.
Birth control pills (also called oral contraceptives) contain hormones that 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 birth control pills. It involved taking a daily hormone pill for 21 days, followed by a placebo pill (usually made of sugar) for 7 days. During the week of placebo pills, you’d have your period.
Today, there are many variations of the pill. Some include only 4 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 considerations.
All forms of hormonal birth control can cause a range of side effects. Most are mild and may resolve after the first 2 or 3 months of taking the pill.
Potential side effects include:
- acne
- bleeding or spotting between periods
- bloating
- blood pressure above your usual range
- depression
- fatigue
- dizziness
- fluid retention
- headache
- increased appetite
- insomnia
- melasma (dark patches on the face)
- mood changes
- nausea
- tenderness or pain in the breasts
- vomiting
- weight gain
If you’re having a hard time adjusting to the pill or side effects last for more than 3 months, talk with your doctor. They might suggest switching to a different pill or birth control method.
If you decide to stop taking the pill, make sure to use a backup method of birth control, such as a condom, to avoid unintended pregnancy.
Nearly all forms of birth control involving estrogen can increase your risk of certain health issues. But according to Planned Parenthood, these risks aren’t common. More serious health risks of birth control pills include:
- blood clots
- gallbladder disease
- heart attack
- high blood pressure
- liver cancer
- stroke
If you smoke or are over 35 years old, your risk of these more serious health concerns increases.
Your doctor might also suggest another method if you:
- are scheduled for a surgical procedure that will limit your mobility during recovery
- developed jaundice during a pregnancy or while on the pill
- have migraine with aura
- have a history of very high blood pressure or stroke
- have obesity
- have chest pain or have had a heart attack
- have diabetes-related complications that affect your blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, or vision
- have had uterine, breast, or liver cancer
- have heart or liver disease
- have irregular periods of breakthrough bleeding
- have previously had a blood clot
- take any over-the-counter or prescription medication that could interact with the hormones
To minimize your risks of health complications, be sure to tell your doctor if you:
- are breastfeeding
- are taking medication for epilepsy
- feel depressed or have received a diagnosis of depression
- have diabetes
- have high cholesterol
- have kidney, liver, or heart disease
- recently had a baby
- recently had a miscarriage or abortion
- take any herbal supplements
- think you may have a lump or changes in one or both of your breasts
If you’re concerned about these risks, nonhormonal birth control may be a better option for you.
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Birth control pills are generally safe to take over a long period of time. Most of the research looking into the link between them and cancer comes from observational studies. According to the
However, these studies have provided evidence that birth control pills may
If you’re concerned about your risk of certain types of cancer, talk with 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 health risks, here 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 7 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.
- Timeline: The pill takes about 7 days to start working. If you’re sexually active during that time, you’ll need to use a backup form of contraception.
- Protection: While it helps to prevent pregnancy, birth control pills don’t provide any protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You’ll need to use an additional form of birth control, such as condoms, to avoid STIs.
Birth control pills are a popular, effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy. They’re generally accepted as a safe method of birth control. However, they can cause side effects and, in rare cases, serious health risks.
Talk with a healthcare professional to weigh the benefits and risks of birth control pills and to determine what form of birth control might be best for you.
