5 Common Birth Control Side Effects
The method
used to avoid pregnancy is called birth control or contraception.
For now, the only guaranteed method to avoid getting pregnant is to abstain
from sex. However, there are also effective birth control methods that
you can use to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
A woman may
experience some birth control side effects as a result of its
use. These reactions can be mild to severe enough to stop using it or change
it. These reactions may vary from different persons, so you won’t know how it
will affect you once you’ve given it a try. Carefully weighing the benefits and
disadvantages of birth control methods can help you choose the right one for
you.
·
Dizziness, headache and
tenderness of the breast are the common side effects especially for first time
users of the pill or hormonal birth control pills. These side effects usually
goes away after a while, you need to consult a doctor if symptoms worsen.
·
Another common reaction from
birth control pills is nausea which normally stops after a couple of months.
Try to take birth control pills with food to minimize the side effects.
However, you may need to change methods if you are using birth control shots.
·
The side effect that really
raise concerns among women using birth control methods is breakthrough
bleeding. This is very unpredictable; however it will help if you take the pill
at the same time every day. Progestin only birth control shots, mini-pill and
implants causes the lining of the uterus too thin that it sloughs off a little,
resulting to bleeding. On the other hand, breakthrough bleeding can also make
the menstrual periods lighter or entirely disappear. Normally it doesn’t mean any
underlying problems, but it’s alright if you want the spotting be checked by
your doctor.
·
Another side effect
experienced is a decrease in libido or sex drive. A fix to this is to switch to
a different brand or method of birth control. Pills that have testosterone-like
hormones can bring the woman’s libido back.
·
Mood swings or depression is
another side effect experienced especially by women who are using hormonal
birth control methods. A woman is usually advised to switch to a non-hormonal
method. The depression or mood changes that the woman experience while taking
birth control pills will not go away just by changing the brand. However, an
anti-depressant drug is sometimes needed to be given to patients who want to
stay with the hormonal pill method.
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