For a woman who doesn't want to have a baby, birth control pills may be the most appropriate way to avoid a pregnancy. As is the case with any medication or medical intervention, side effects may occur while taking the pills. The Nemours Foundation reports that most of these side effects will improve after taking the pill for three months.
Minor Side Effects
Birth control pills can cause some minor side effects. Nausea, vaginal discharge changes, irregular spotting, headaches, cervical changes, mood swings and breast tenderness are all possible side effects of taking "the pill". Some women will also experience weight gain or decreased libido.
Serious Side Effects
The risk of blood clots increases from one out of 10,000 when not on the pill to two out of 10,000 when taking the pill, according to the American Pregnancy Association. The pill may increase your blood pressure, as well as increasing your risk of cervical cancer, liver tumors or jaundice, breast cancer and gall bladder disease. Other serious side effects can include heart attack or stroke.
Risk Factors
While a woman may experience any of the side effects of birth control pills, there are some risk factors that increase the chance of experiencing the side effects. Obesity, smoking, diabetes, being on bed rest, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are some of these risk factors. A woman more than 35 years old is also at an increased risk of developing side effects.
Positive Side Effects
The side effects of birth control pills aren't all bad. There are some positive side effects of taking the pill. Regular use of the pill reduces the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers. It also reduces the risk of fibrocystic breast disease, anemia, pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal pregnancy, endometriosis and ovarian cysts. Brown University reports that women on birth control pills may improve acne. Some women may have lighter and shorter periods when on the birth control pill.
Member Comments