Birth control for women is available in pill, vaginal ring, patch, implant and injection forms. Because these contraceptives contain high doses of hormones, they can cause several side effects. Learn about the hormonal effects of birth control to understand what can happen after a new birth control method is started.
Acne
Hormonal birth control injections, which contain medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), provides pregnancy protection for three months. One of the side effects associated with DMPA is the development of acne. Acne occurs as a result of the large dose of hormones given in a birth control injection and should disappear two to three months after this type of birth control is started.
Bloating
Bloating is associated with hormonal birth control pills. According to Dr. Frederick Jelovsek, a professor at James H. Quillen College of Medicine, the surge of hormones that occurs after the birth control pill is started is responsible for bloating. This hormonal surge can be responsible for weight gain of approximately 5 lbs.
Breast Tenderness
Birth control implants, vaginal rings and hormonal birth control pills can also cause breast tenderness. This is because the surge of hormones that occurs when a woman starts one of these birth control methods causes fluid retention. Fluid can be retained in the breasts, which makes them tender and sore. Breast tenderness should resolve after this initial hormone surge.
Headaches
Hormone surges can also cause headaches, which makes headaches an effect of birth control injections, vaginal rings, skin patches and pills. Physicians from the Mayo Clinic indicate that this is because estrogen and progesterone, which are found in many types of birth control, also affect brain chemicals that can induce headaches.
Nausea
During the first month of birth control pills, nausea can occur due to hormonal changes in the body. Medical professionals from the Center for Young Women's Health recommend that women take birth control pills shortly after eating a snack or meal or just before bedtime. Taking birth control pills in the morning can make nausea more likely to occur. Hormonal surges associated with contraceptive patches and vaginal rings can also cause nausea to occur.
Irregular Bleeding
Birth control methods that contain estrogen and progesterone can alter the menstrual cycle, especially during the first few months of using a new contraceptive. One hormonal effect of this change is irregular bleeding, which is bleeding that occurs between menstrual periods or bleeding that is heavier or lighter than a normal menstrual period. This bleeding should resolve once the body has adjusted to the hormones being taken.
