01 Nov Understanding Birth Control Side Effects: What to Expect and How to Manage Them
Pexels Photo by APG Graphics:
Birth control or medical contraception is used for a variety of reasons, but its main role is to prevent unwanted pregnancies. There are many different types of birth control, so their function and ingredients vary. In general, they usually affect your hormones to make you unable to conceive 99% of the time. Birth control is also used to regulate hormonal imbalances, stop menstruation, or alleviate symptoms of conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Like any medication, birth control can come with some side effects, which may be mild for some and extreme for others. You and your doctor will factor in your health, medical history, potential side effects, and reproductive goals to figure out which birth control method is the best for your needs and body. When prescribed birth control, it’s important to understand common and uncommon side effects to avoid concerns and complications.
Irregular Bleeding
If you have a regular menstrual cycle, taking birth control will likely change this. It’s normal for your menstrual cycle to stop for most birth control medications completely. As the ingredients change your hormones, breakthrough bleeding, spotting, or irregular bleeding is to be expected. You’ll want to let your doctor know if your bleeding is irregularly heavy or doesn’t stop.
Mood Swings
Most birth controls contain hormones or alter hormone levels in some way. Hormones do much more than regulate your menstrual cycle; they affect your libido, weight, metabolism, growth, and mood. While you’re adjusting to the medication, mood swings are very common. You may feel grumpier, sadder, or happier than usual. You may frequently change emotions with little warning. These mood swings can be tiring, but they are usually harmless and calm down when your body adjusts. Journaling and therapy work can help.
Please advise your health care provider and seek medical attention if these symptoms become serious.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
Weight Gain
Your altered hormonal state on birth control can easily affect your metabolism. Your regular diet may cause you to gain more weight than you would previously; this is more likely if you don’t eat as healthy as you should. Hormonal weight gain is normal, so don’t panic. Maintaining healthy, balanced meals and staying active can help manage these symptoms.
Nausea or Stomach Cramps
Pexels. by Photo by Polina Zimmerman:
When your metabolism is affected due to hormonal imbalances, your digestion habits can change, too. Hormonal birth control may make you feel nauseous in general or around certain foods, somewhat like pregnancy morning sickness. You may feel bloated or cramped due to weight gain or changes in your menstrual cycle. Mild, brief diarrhea may also occur. If bloating, nausea, or cramping is unmanageable, your doctor can prescribe anti-nausea medication or change your birth control entirely.
Headaches
Birth control may cause mild headaches or migraines in people with a history of migraines. Typically, headaches or migraines will cease or lessen over time when your body adjusts to the hormone changes in birth control. In some cases, some people report headaches or migraines being cured with contraception. If you experience any type of prolonged migraine or severe head pain, it’s best to talk with your doctor to make sure it is a normal side effect. Some ingredients in common birth control medications like Depo-Provera can increase the risk of brain tumors in certain people.
Libido Changes
As your menstrual cycle changes to prevent pregnancy, you may feel some changes in your sexual appetite or libido as well. These changes can affect how much or how often you desire sex or sexual stimulation. Many people report no changes to libido, but it’s not uncommon to be more or less interested in sex while on birth control. If your libido changes bother you, your doctor can find some alternative options for you.
Breast Tenderness
If you ever experience breast pain in any part of your menstrual cycle, you’re probably already aware that hormonal changes can make your breasts ache. Similar to your menstrual cycle, the hormonal changes from birth control may cause temporary breast tenderness. This pain is usually mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain medication.
See your doctor if you notice lumps or breast changes.
Acne
If you’re prone to hormonal acne, you may see some more of it when you take certain birth control medications. This acne can be managed as your body adjusts to hormonal changes. Hormonal acne occurs when your skin produces excess oil or sebum in response to hormonal changes. Since birth control affects hormone levels, you may experience some additional breakouts. Adding a gentle cleanser or exfoliation treatment can help manage oil production.
Blood Pressure Changes
Blood pressure determines how much force your blood pushes against your artery walls as your heart beats. It changes frequently throughout the day in response to stimuli, physical activity, and mood. Consistently high blood pressure can increase your risk for heart attack or stroke, and consistently low blood pressure can limit the oxygen in your body, leading to dizziness, shock, or organ failure. Birth control can affect your blood pressure, causing periods of high or low blood pressure for seemingly no reason. While these changes are mild, you’ll want to seek medical attention if you experience extreme dizziness, chest pain, or trouble catching your breath.
Vaginal Discharge
Some people on birth control will see a change in vaginal discharge. Some report a change in the consistency or the discharge—it may become thicker or thinner. Some report more or less vaginal discharge than usual. If you don’t feel any irritation, itching, or pain, there isn’t any cause for concern. Vaginal discharge is normal, but be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any problems.
Conclusion
Birth control is a very effective method for preventing pregnancy or stopping a menstrual cycle. It can have various side effects, including hormonal changes as your body adjusts. Most side effects can resolve over time as your body balances its hormones. If the side effects are concerning, excessive, undesired, or unmanageable, seek medical attention immediately.
Remember too that birth control pill do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. Please be sure to use appropriate protection during any/all sexual activity.
More information:
———————–
The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition.
Some links are sponsored. Products, services and providers are not endorsed.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.
Last Updated on November 1, 2024 by Marie Benz MD FAAD