By EKalman January 25, 2022 - 3:39am

Birth control pills are a common method of contraception that can prevent unwanted pregnancy when used properly. Only a small percentage of women who use the birth control pill may become pregnant. However, if a woman skips the pill even for a single day, the likelihood of contraceptive failure increases significantly.

While birth control pills are often used to prevent pregnancy, your gynecologist may prescribe them to treat issues like painful and heavy periods or to regulate periods. It can also be used to treat endometriosis, acne, and hair loss.

Despite the benefits of taking birth control medications, they do have some drawbacks. By being informed of these potential side effects, you can decide whether to use the pill or choose another type of contraception.

Learn more about the possible side effects of birth control pills.

1. Weight gain
Taking birth control medications can lead to weight gain. Taking the pills can make you retain fluid and lead to swelling. While the estrogen that commonly persists in birth control pills causes the storage of fat, it does not increase it.. If you start taking birth control pills, you should be ready to gain some excess weight. However, this doesn’t apply to everyone.

2. Abnormal periods
Because birth control pills affect your hormones, they can also influence your menstruation. About 50% of women who use the birth control medications experience irregular bleeding and spotting between periods within the first three months of use. In most cases, this issue resolves on its own after three months of regular pill use.

Sometimes birth control use can lead to skipped periods or very mild spotting. If this happens, it may be worth having a pregnancy test, but it might also be due to other things like stress, thyroid problems, hormone issues, or just being unwell.

3. Headaches
Taking birth control medication can cause headaches and migraine attacks. Hormone fluctuations induced by the medications might lead to headaches in certain women. If you experience headaches after taking the pill for the first time, ask a specialist in your gynecology clinic about another brand or contraception option. It's possible that taking a lower dose of birth control medications can help fix this issue.

4. Lower libido
Hormonal contraceptives work by producing hormones that prevent conception in your body. These hormones may induce a variety of physical and sexual adverse effects. Some women report that taking the pill reduces their libido. However, this can be due to a variety of other circumstances like cramping, vaginal dryness, bloating, and changes in orgasm intensity. If this bothers you, talk to your doctor about it.

5. Breast tenderness
Breast tenderness is another common side effect of birth control medications. It typically develops during the first few weeks after a woman starts taking pills. Along with breast tenderness, you may experience breast enlargement, just like during menstruation. Some women find wearing a supportive bra or reducing salt and caffeine intake is beneficial to relieve this symptom.

6. Other possible side effects
While the symptoms mentioned above are the most common side effects of birth control medications, there are several other drawbacks that you should be aware of. If you are on birth control medications and experience symptoms like chest discomfort, shortness of breath ,severe headaches, stomach pain, or blurred vision, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible.

You should also seek emergency medical attention if you have discomfort or swelling in your legs. It is uncommon for the pill to cause cardiac difficulties or blood clots, but you should be aware of this side effect because neglecting to seek immediate medical help might be fatal.