Birth control pills are a highly effective form of hormonal birth control. By using hormones like estrogen and progestin that inhibit the body’s natural hormonal cycle, “the pill” is able to effectively prevent pregnancy from occurring. In fact, as long as it is taken every day, the success rate of birth control pills can be as high as 99.9%.
Although some people may believe that birth control pills serve only one purpose, the truth is that the effects of these hormones can extend far beyond just preventing unwanted pregnancy. Some of these effects can provide additional benefits, including regulating menstruation and helping to clear up acne prone skin. However, like any other medication, birth control pills can sometimes cause some unwanted minor side effects as well. To help you know what you may experience, here are the common side effects associated with birth control pills.
- Nausea
- Weight fluctuation
- Swelling or soreness in the breasts
- Spotting between periods
- Irregularly light periods
- Mood Swings
- Pain in the abdomen or chest area
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
Birth control can affect every woman differently, so there is no guarantee you will experience any of these symptoms. Additionally, these side effects are typically very minor and go away after 2 or 3 months of starting to take birth control pills. If side effects persist for longer than 3 months, we recommend speaking with your board-certified gynecologist about potential alternatives.
In our experience, these side effects are no reason not to consider birth control pills. However, before making any choices, it’s important to speak with your board-certified gynecologist to understand all of your possible options when it comes to birth control. For more information on birth control or to request an appointment with one of our reproductive healthcare providers, please contact Gynecology Associates of Gwinnett today. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional health tips, news, and more. Ask us about our new medical spa, MadEmEL Medical Aesthetics.
