Side Effects Of Continuous Birth Control Pills

Continuous birth control pills refer to birth control pills that do not have non-hormone pills every month. The Mayo Clinic states that Seasonale and Lybrel are two options: Seasonale has a 91-day pill pack, with 84 hormone pills, while Lybrel has a year's supply of hormone pills with no non-hormone breaks. Women choose continuous birth control pills to avoid having a monthly period, though side effects are still possible.

Irregular Bleeding

One of the common side effects of continuous birth control pills is irregular bleeding. The Feminist Women's Health Center states that it is common for users to experience either spotting or bleeding between periods for the first six months. The irregular bleeding is due to the body adjusting to the constant intake of estrogen and progesterone; however, this side effect should subside within four to six months. The Mayo Clinic adds that four out of 10 women who use Lybrel will still have spotting or light bleeding after a year of usage.

Bloating and Breast Tenderness

Some of the side effects of continuous birth control resemble menstruation symptoms. For example, the Feminist Women's Health Center states that users may have bloating from increased water retention or weight gain; these side effects should go away once the body has adjusted to the hormones. Another side effect is breast tenderness, where the breast may feel fuller or painful, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Nausea and Headaches

When starting continuous birth control, the Feminist Women's Health Center notes that users may feel nausea. The Mayo Clinic notes that headaches may accompany the nausea.

Mood Changes

The Feminist Women's Health Center and Mayo Clinic both note that users of continuous birth control may have mood changes when starting; examples of mood changes include depression and anxiety.

Facial Markings

The last side effect of continuous birth control is temporary facial markings. The Feminist Women's Health Center states that users may have darker spots on their face.