Solia is a form of hormonal birth control that combines ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel. This kind of birth control disrupts the hormonal cycle that causes ovulation, making it much less likely, though not impossible, that the woman taking it will become pregnant. Like most forms of hormonal birth control, Solia can cause unintended side effects.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Many of Solia's side effects are fairly mild and are more of an inconvenience than a serious medical problem. Solia can cause upset of the gastrointestinal system, which can lead to nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and cramping of the stomach.
Hormonal Side Effects
Because Solia works by altering hormone levels, it can cause the breasts to swell or become unusually tender and painful. Solia can cause the skin on your face to become darker or develop freckles. Solia can lead to loss of hair on your scalp coupled with increased hair growth on other parts of your body.
Because Solia is designed to interfere with your menstrual cycle, you may notice changes in your periods as well as a diminished libido. Solia can also cause your vagina to itch or develop an unusual discharge. These changes in hormone levels can also cause headache, dizziness, nervousness and fatigue, as well as drying of the eyes.
Liver Problems
Solia can cause problems with the liver, leading to a yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) as well as nausea, clay-colored stools, a persistent low fever, unusually dark urine and pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen.
Blood Clots
The most common serious side effect of Solia is an increased risk of blood clots, especially for women older than 35 and in those who smoke. These blood clots can occur anywhere in the body and can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. In some cases, a blood clot can form in the leg veins and break off, forming an embolism. This embolism may travel to the lungs and block pulmonary blood flow, which can be life threatening.
Symptoms of blood clots include unusual swelling of your hands, feet or ankles. Symptoms of a heart attack include sudden chest pain that may radiate down your left arm, as well as increased sweating, extreme nausea and a general feeling of poor health. A stroke can cause blurred vision, a sudden piercing headache, or paralysis or weakness on one side of your body. If you have any symptoms of a blood clot, contact a doctor immediately.
Cancer Risk
Because Solia affects hormones, it can also increase a woman's chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer. This is because these tissues can be stimulated by the presence of estrogen. Persistent estrogen stimulation can cause cells in the breast and ovaries to grow too rapidly, causing some of the cellular changes that lead to cancer.
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