What are the side effects of birth control pills?

What are the types of birth control pills?

There are two kinds of birth control pills: 

• The combined pill (which contains artificial versions of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, and you usually take one pill every day for 21 days followed by a 7-day break).
• The progestin-only pill (which only contains a synthetic version of progestogen and is taken every day without a break. This is sometimes called the mini pill.

What birth control side effects should I expect while taking the pill?

Whichever pill you take, you’ll usually experience side effects – some of which may be temporary, some which might last for longer, and some which you may even be thankful for.

Short-term birth control pill side effects

It’s common to experience temporary side effects when you first start taking the pill – and many of these side effects are common to both the combined and progestin-only pill. These include:

Nausea

Some people may experience mild nausea with the pill, caused by changes in their hormone levels. This usually subsides within a few weeks, and you may be able to alleviate the nausea by taking your pill with food.

Breast tenderness

Tender breasts are another common side effect of the pill. Do you ever get sore breasts before your period? This is caused by a rise in estrogen and progesterone right before your period – which also explains why both types of pill can cause tender breasts when you first start taking the pill.

Headaches

Some women find that they get more headaches when they’re on the pill, particularly in the pill-free week when estrogen levels drop. If your headaches are severe, frequent, or don’t go away after the first few months of taking the pill, then you should speak to a healthcare professional. 

Mood swings

Short-term changes in mood can happen as your body adjusts to the changes in hormone levels. Often, these are temporary and improve as your body adapts to the different hormones, and your mood should stabilize in the first few months after starting the pill. For some people, though, mood swings last for much longer. If this is the case, you might find that switching to another pill works better for you – or trying another method of birth control entirely.

Breakthrough bleeding

Breakthrough bleeding is any type of irregular bleeding between periods, something which is common when taking the pill. If you start the pill for the first time, the change in hormone levels may cause spotting until your hormones stabilize. If you choose not to take a break between pill packets, you may also experience breakthrough bleeding. 

Breakthrough bleeding differs from withdrawal bleeding (the type of scheduled bleeding you experience between pill packets), as breakthrough bleeding is unscheduled and irregular.  

Side effects of the progestin-only pill

Additionally, the progestin-only pill has some common side effects that you wouldn’t usually get with the combined pill. These are:

Acne

While the combined contraceptive pill can improve acne, many women find that the progestin-only pill can cause acne or make existing acne worse. 

Ovarian cysts

Some people may develop cysts on their ovaries when taking the progestin-only pill. These are small, fluid-filled sacs. It’s thought that the progestin in the mini pill stops luteinizing hormone from being released by the pituitary gland, while another hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone continues to be produced. This can cause cysts – but for most women, they’re small, aren’t painful, and go away on their own. However, for some people, they may cause pelvic pain or discomfort, in which case you should seek medical advice.

Positive birth control pill side effects

Not all side effects are negative. There are some benefits of taking the pill, including:

Lighter bleeding and fewer PMS symptoms

When you take the pill, you don’t have a period as such. Instead, if you take the combined pill, you’re likely to get a withdrawal bleed every month, caused by changes in hormone levels, when you take a 7-day break from the pill. This bleed is usually lighter than a regular period, and other symptoms associated with PMS (such as headaches and irritability) may be reduced too.

If you take the progestin-only pill, you may experience lighter irregular bleeding, or you may not bleed at all.. This type of pill works differently from the more common combined pill, and it’s important you don’t take a break between pill packets. 

If you have irregular, painful, or heavy periods, the pill may have a positive impact on your menstrual cycle, making your bleeds lighter, more regular, and easier to deal with. Some people also take the birth control pill to treat severe cycle symptoms, such as depression caused by a PMDD (pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder). 

Reduced acne

It’s very common for the combined birth control pill to be prescribed to those with severe acne. Whether or not you’re looking for a solution to breakouts, you may find this positive benefit from your birth control as an added bonus. Keep in mind that the progestin-only pill can make acne worse, so you may want to avoid it if you already struggle with pimples. 

Reduced menstrual cramps

Many people find that taking birth control pills can help alleviate period cramps, making periods more manageable and less painful. It’s thought that the pill reduces the amount of prostaglandins in the body, which reduces blood flow and cramping.

Reduced risk of certain types of cancer

The combined pill can reduce your risk of cancer of the ovaries, womb, and colon, and it may also reduce the risk of fibroids, ovarian cysts, and non-cancerous breast disease. 

Rare risks of birth control pills

As well as the common birth control pill side effects, there are some additional side effects that, while rare, are still important to know about. There are very few serious side effects of the progestin-only pill, although a recent study found it may slightly increase your risk of breast cancer. 

Some more serious long-term side effects of the birth control pill may include:

• An increased risk of blood clots
• A slightly increased risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer
• Increased blood pressure

What are the side effects of stopping the birth control pill?

If you want to stop taking the pill, you should be aware that – just like when you start the pill – there may be side effects due to the change in hormones. But, like when you start taking the pill, these side effects usually go away within a couple of months.

Some of the symptoms you might notice when coming off either type of pill can include:

• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Irregular bleeding
• Missed periods
• Acne

If you found that you had a light bleed while taking the pill, when you return to having a natural period, it may be heavier. Similarly, if the pill makes your acne worse, you may find that it improves when you come off the pill. Whatever side effects you experience after coming off the pill, you should find that they settle down within two to three months.

Most people find that their period returns within four weeks, but it may take up to three months before your body establishes a regular menstrual cycle again. 

It’s also important to note that once you stop taking the pill, you won’t be protected against pregnancy anymore. You can get pregnant immediately after stopping the pill – so if you don’t want to get pregnant, you should use another form of birth control.

FAQs about the birth control pills

Although birth control pills have been around – and have been used safely – for decades, they’re not always well understood, and there are some common misconceptions. Luckily, we’re here to clear them up.

Do birth control pills make you gain weight?

Many women are concerned about taking the pill in case it makes them gain weight. But the links between weight gain and birth control are hard to fins. While some people do gain some weight when they first start taking the pill, it’s mostly down to fluid retention rather than the hormones contained within the pills.

Studies have shown that there’s no evidence that either type of pill (along with the IUD or the implant) causes significant weight gain. The only type of hormonal birth control that may cause weight gain is the birth control shot. 

Breakthrough bleeding on the pill: Why does it happen?

Breakthrough bleeding is a common side effect, particularly with the progestin-only pill. Fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly during the first few months of starting a new pill or switching to a different pill, can sometimes lead to breakthrough bleeding.

You may also experience spotting if you miss a pill or if you take your pills at a different time each day – especially if you take the progestin-only pill, which should be taken at the same time every day.

Does the pill affect your sex drive?

Some individuals may notice a change in their sex drive – some may have an increased libido, others may notice their sex drive is reduced, and others don’t see any change. It’s complicated, libido is affected by many things, such as our stress levels and how much sleep we’re getting. Scientifically speaking, there’s little research done into this area, but it’s possible the pill could affect your sex drive due to:

• The changing hormone levels in your body
• The types of hormones in your birth control
• Other side effects, such as headaches or mood changes affecting your desire for sex
• The psychological aspect of knowing you’re protected against pregnancy

If you do notice a change in your sex drive and you’re concerned about it, it’s best to speak to your doctor. Another type of birth control may not have the same impact on you – after all, everyone experiences different side effects.

What to avoid while on birth control pills?

There are certain medications that may interfere with how effective the pill is, including:

• Some antibiotics, namely rifampicin and rifabutin
• Some enzyme-inducing seizure medications used to treat epilepsy
• Some antiretroviral drugs that are used to treat HIV
• St John’s Wort (a herbal remedy used to treat low mood)

It probably goes without saying, but you should also avoid skipping pills. Missing your pill greatly reduces its effectiveness and can increase your risk of both pregnancy and breakthrough bleeding. If you find it hard to remember to take your pill, or you struggle to take it at the same time every day, you could set a reminder – or try a different, longer-lasting method of birth control.

It’s usually advised that you don’t smoke when taking birth control pills, especially if you’re over 35 years old. In fact, while the progestin-only pill may be prescribed to smokers who are 35 or over, the combined pill won’t be. That’s because it can increase your risk of serious side effects like blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks.

Looking for birth control without side effects?

Hormonal birth control comes with side effects – although these vary from person to person. However, if you want to avoid side effects like sore breasts, headaches, and mood swings, then you may want to consider a non-hormonal option. There are several you can choose from, including the copper IUD, condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps, and Natural Cycles. 

In 2018, Natural Cycles became the first birth control app to be FDA cleared in the US. NC° Birth Control uses your body temperature and menstrual cycle data to work out your fertile window, and the app uses an algorithm that learns the pattern of your cycle and does the calculations for you.

So, if you’re looking for a non-invasive, side-effect-free method of birth control, why not give Natural Cycles a go today?