Nausea from birth control: Why it happens, causes & how to treat

Starting the birth control pill is a common step for many of us. While many people don’t experience any side effects during this transition, some have reported nausea, especially in the early days of starting the pill. [1] This unwelcome and unpleasant experience can be mild or severe, and may even lead to vomiting in some cases.

Why do birth control pills cause nausea? 

Since everyone’s body is unique and adjusts differently to a new routine, it’s definitely possible that taking the birth control pill can make you feel nauseous, especially within the first few days or weeks after starting the pill. There are a few potential reasons why your body may react this way.

Birth control contains synthetic versions of the estrogen and progesterone hormones that naturally occur in your body. While these synthetic hormones are effective at preventing pregnancy, your body may need time to get used to the new routine. 

Like many other hormones, the fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone in your body comes with physical side effects. This means that the adjustment period while starting birth control can cause nausea, along with:

• Headaches
• Sore breasts
• Spotting between periods
• Changes to your period (flow, timing, color, etc.) [1]

On a more technical note, research suggests that the increased levels of synthetic progesterone and estrogen found in birth control pills may actually slightly alter the way your digestive system operates, with estrogen thought to be the main culprit. This hormone can cause gastric muscles to contract, slow down the digestion process, and change the way your stomach empties itself, all of which can lead to nausea and potentially vomiting [2]. For example, women taking emergency contraception (EC) with high doses of synthetic estrogen and progesterone are much more likely to report nausea than those taking EC pills with synthetic progesterone alone. [3] 

On the other hand, a study looking at motion sickness found that women reported more nausea symptoms around menstruation, when progesterone is highest [4]. Studies into how crewmembers are affected by motion sickness while at sea support this [5], but not all studies agree [6]. 

One other potential cause of nausea while on birth control is actually taking too much of the contraceptive. Make sure to keep to the daily schedule recommended by your doctor if you’re on the pill—if you take too many pills in a short amount of time, this may lead to complications including nausea and vomiting (your body is trying to get rid of the excess medication). Switching to a low-dose birth control can also be a helpful option to reduce nausea.

If you take more than the prescribed amount of birth control pills and experience nausea or other symptoms, you should contact your doctor for advice. [7].

How long does nausea last?

The good news is that the nausea as a side effect of birth control doesn’t usually last for more than a few days, and up to about three months, after you start taking the pill. It just takes your body a short while to get used to the new levels of synthetic hormones. 

If you’re still experiencing these uncomfortable symptoms after that time period, it may be time to check in with your doctor about potentially changing your birth control method [1]. Remember that non-hormonal birth control methods like Natural Cycles may be better suited to your body and lifestyle.

How to prevent nausea from the pill

If you’re trying to get ahead of the curve and are looking for ways to prevent nausea when starting the birth control pill, there are a few research-backed preventative measures you can take:

• Take the pill at night before bed. This reduces the potential for you to experience nausea since your body is in a state of rest.
• Take birth control on a full stomach. The medication has a better chance of being effectively absorbed and digested this way.
• Get fresh air. Stepping outside can calm your body and help you feel fresh.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water (ideally small sips of cold water throughout the day) as dehydration can cause nausea and vomiting caused by dehydration.
• Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. This will help you feel more relaxed and avoid any unnecessary discomfort..
• Try not to eat quickly or lie down immediately after eating. Both of these actions can be hard on your digestive system. 

The last four tips above can be used any time you feel a bit of nausea coming on, even if you don’t necessarily think it’s caused by the birth control pill [5, 9].

How to treat nausea when you’re on the pill

If the preventative measures above aren’t quite cutting it and you’re finding the nausea associated with birth control disruptive, you may be wondering how to treat it on a day-to-day basis. 

Home remedies

Here are a few different at-home methods you can try to calm the nausea from the transition onto birth control:

• Ginger: Consume plenty of ginger. It’s available in various forms like ginger tea, ginger biscuits, pickled ginger, or ginger health shots. These are all delicious and stomach-friendly.
• Peppermint: Drinking peppermint tea may also be calming and refreshing for you.
• Keep it light: Focus on eating light, plain foods (think: crackers, bread, and pasta).
• Avoid extremely spicy or sweet foods: These are more difficult for your body to digest [9].

Still feeling like you have an upset stomach? It may be time to see a doctor.

Medical treatment

Unfortunately, there is no specific medical treatment or antidote currently available specifically for the mild nausea that is caused by the pill in the initial adjustment period. However, if your nausea is long-lasting and highly disruptive, your doctor may prescribe an anti-nausea medication to take in tandem with the pill. There are also many anti-nausea treatments available over-the-counter [7]. Talk to your pharmacist to learn more.

What should you do if you throw up after taking a birth control pill?

If the remedies and preventative measures above aren’t working and you find yourself vomiting after taking the birth control pill, there are a few actions you should take to keep yourself protected:

1. Take another pill. If you threw up within two hours of taking the pill, it likely did not fully absorb into your system and therefore counts as a missed pill. Take another pill as soon as possible. If you can’t keep the pill down within this two hour window, wait until the next day and take two active pills 12 hours apart. [8]
2. Use another form of contraception if you’re sexually active.  If you’ve missed two consecutive  days of taking the pill, use another form of contraception for at least the next seven days until the birth control is effective again [8].
3. Rest and eat light. Just like any other vomiting incident, it’s important to take some time to let your body rest and reset itself. Again, eat light foods like crackers and bread if you’re hungry, stay hydrated with plenty of water, and relax as much as possible.
4. Rule out pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and there’s a chance you may be pregnant, you might want to take a pregnancy test to rule out the possibility. Vomiting is a common sign of early pregnancy. 

We know how upsetting nausea and vomiting can be, but remember that you have support and options moving forward to protect your health and prevent this from happening in the future.

When to see a doctor

If the nausea and vomiting you’re experiencing in association with starting birth control is disruptive to your daily routine, it’s best to see a doctor. They can provide a consultation with your unique medical history in mind. 

Consistent nausea and vomiting over long periods of time can affect your weight and appetite, and cause other potential complications. Your doctor may want to switch your birth control method to a pill with a lower dose of estrogen and/or progesterone, or explore a different method altogether if this is the case.

As a brief but important side note, if you’re experiencing severe nausea and vomiting and you’re well into the course of birth control treatment (i.e. you’ve been on it for more than about three months), it may be caused by a different, more serious underlying condition or a temporary infection such as the flu. In these cases, it’s also important to consult with a doctor for the best course of treatment.

When to make the non-hormonal switch

Whether you’ve tried hormonal birth control and weren’t a fan of the side effects, or if you’re still exploring your options and considering the non-hormonal route, Natural Cycles is another certified contraception you can try. With 93% effectiveness at preventing pregnancy with typical use, Natural Cycles is also free from side effects. Discover this non-invasive, science-backed temperature tracking method today.