10 Common side effects of taking birth control pills on the body

The oral contraceptive pill, commonly referred to as "the pill," is a form of hormonal contraception taken by millions women all over the world each year to prevent pregnancy.

If you are taking birth control pills, it is right that you know the side effects that might come with them so that you can recognize them early. If you experience some of these uncomfortable birth control pill side effects, you can switch to another pill or another form of contraception as recommended by your doctor.

10 Common side effects of taking birth control pills:

1.      Intermenstrual Spotting

Approximately 50% of people using the pill experience vaginal bleeding between expected periods - also known as breakthrough bleeding - most commonly within the first 3 months of starting to take the pill. Generally, this resolves in over 90% of cases by the third pill pack.

Intermenstrual spotting may occur due to the uterus adjusting to having a thinner endometrial lining, or maybe due to the body adjusting to having different levels of hormones.

2.      Nausea

Nausea is also another common symptom that occurs during the initial days of taking the pill. For most people, nausea ends after a while. One trick to avoid feeling nauseated is to take the pill right before bedtime. You can also take the contraceptive during meals to lower or prevent nausea.

3.      Breast tenderness

Birth control pills may cause breast enlargement or tenderness. This side effect tends to improve a few weeks after starting the pill, but anyone who finds a lump in the breast or who has persistent pain or tenderness or severe breast pain should seek medical help.

Reducing caffeine and salt intake can decrease breast tenderness, as can wearing a supportive bra.

4.      Mood changes

Mood changes when using birth control pills can occur especially in people with a history of mental disorders such as depression. The pill might cause people to experience emotional changes. Therefore, people with a history of mental health problems should discuss this with their doctor.

5.      Weight gain

Taking birth control pills causes some people to experience a slight weight gain due to their cells retaining fluids. The estrogen found in the contraceptives might cause the enlargement of fat cells causing them to retain more water. However, just like with many other side effects, this symptom is short lived, and many women regain their normal weight after 2 to 3 months.

Note that serious weight gain is not one of the birth control pill side effects. Various scientific studies have come out to disprove this myth.

6.      Headaches

The sex hormones have an effect on the development of headaches and migraine. Pills with different types and doses of hormone may result in different headache symptoms. Some studies have previously suggested that headaches are least likely to occur with pills that contain low doses of hormones.

Headache symptoms are likely to improve over time. Anyone who experiences new onset of headaches when taking the pill should seek medical attention.

7.      Missed periods

At times, you might miss your period even when you are on the pill. This can result from other factors such as stress, hormonal abnormalities or illness. You should, however, ensure that you take a pregnancy test if you have been engaging in sexual intercourse to confirm that you are not pregnant.

If you continue to miss your periods, then you should seek medical advice.

8.      Decreased sex drive

The hormone(s) in the contraceptive pill can affect sex drive (libido) in some people. However, many other factors can contribute to a decrease in libido. If decreased libido persists and is bothersome, this should be discussed with a medical provider.

In some instances, however, the birth control pill can increase libido. Such an increase may be due to the relief of painful symptoms such as menstrual cramping, premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis and uterine fibroids.

9.      Vaginal discharge

Some people experience changes in vaginal discharge when taking the pill. This can range from an increase to a decrease in vaginal lubrication, an alteration in the nature of the discharge, and changes which can affect sexual intercourse. In the event of vaginal lubrication decreasing, added lubrication can be utilized to make sex a more comfortable prospect.

10.  Vision Problems Caused by Dry Eye

Hormone changes from taking the pill can cause dry-eye symptoms that affect vision. See your eye doctor right away if you have dry eyes accompanied by discharge or a change in vision, which can be more serious, some eye infections mimic dry-eye symptoms and can lead to a larger problem.

In case you experience such symptoms, you should seek medical advice. They may be a pointer to a more serious problem such as liver disease or heart disease.

SOURCES

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com