Adverse Effects of Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills, also called oral contraceptives, are used to prevent pregnancy. These pills contain hormones, so there are several adverse effects to consider before starting this type of drug. Some women may not be able to take oral contraceptives if they have certain medical conditions or have risk factors that would be worsened by oral contraceptive use.

Headaches

Birth control pills contain progesterone, estrogen or a combination of both hormones. Physicians from the Mayo Clinic explain that these hormones may affect chemicals in the brain that cause headaches. If your medical care provider thinks your headaches are caused by birth control pills, a pill with a lower dose of estrogen may be prescribed. Another option is to use a pill that only contains progesterone. If making these changes does not relieve your headaches, you may be advised to use a different form of contraception.

Risk for Blood Clots

Some birth control pills substantially increase the risk of developing blood clots. These clots are dangerous because they can travel to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism. While pills that contain estrogen are linked to an increased risk for clots, the risk seems to be the greatest in women that have other factors for clot development. Women who smoke or have high blood pressure may not be able to take oral contraceptives because of the increased risk of clot development. Clots also develop more frequently in women over 50, sedentary women, diabetics and women with high cholesterol and a history of heart disease.

Bloating

Bloating is associated with birth control pills that contain high levels of estrogen. Dr. Frederick R. Jelovsek, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the James H. Quillen College of Medicine, indicates that the estrogen in birth control pills stimulates a substance known as renin-angiotensin. This substance, which is found in the kidneys, causes water retention. When water is retained, sodium is also retained. Dr. Jelovsek recommends using low-dose birth control pills to minimize bloating and weight gain caused by water retention.

Abnormal Bleeding

Abnormal bleeding can occur during the first four months of oral contraceptive use, or as a side effect of long-term birth control use. Dr. Marjorie Greenfield, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Case School of Medicine, indicates that it takes several months for the menstrual cycle to regulate itself once a woman starts taking an oral contraceptive. Breakthrough bleeding, which is light bleeding that occurs between menstrual cycles, may occur until the cycle is fully regulated. Abnormal bleeding can also occur after a woman has been using birth control pills for a long period of time. Dr. Greenfield explains that this is because long-term use causes the lining of the uterus to become thin. When the uterine lining is thin, it may not stay in place, resulting in spotting.

Mood Changes

Oral contraceptive use is associated with mood changes, including feelings of depression, mood swings and overly emotional responses to life situations. Switching to an oral contraceptive that has a lower dose of hormones may resolve these mood changes. If taking a different drug does not help, stopping the birth control pills for one or two months may help to determine if the pills are the cause of the mood changes. If the mood changes do not stop even after the pills are stopped, an evaluation for depression or other psychological conditions is warranted.