Side-Effects Of Taking A Birth Control Pill

The Oral Contraceptive Pill or "the pill" is a method that makes use of your hormones to prevent pregnancy. It stops ovulation – there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize – as a result, the chance of pregnancy can be ruled out. The pill is a popular choice when it comes to preventing pregnancy and has its share of advantages and disadvantages. The pill is highly effective but as with all medication, comes with side-effects. It raises the estrogen level in a woman's body and causes a hormonal imbalance. It can even cause venous thromboembolism i.e. clotting of blood in legs or lungs that can lead to heart attack or stroke but chances of this happening is very rare.

Short-term side effects

The more common side-effects experienced by women on the pill are-

· Nausea – You may feel nauseous when you start taking the pill. Taking the pill along with a meal can sometimes counter this or lessen the nausea felt.

· Bloating – Women suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other gastrointestinal conditions experience bloating more than those without these conditions. The hormonal imbalance in the body leads to water retention and causes bloating.

· Breast tenderness – Your breasts can feel tender and sore when you take an oral contraceptive pill.

· Headaches – Most women experience headaches when they start the pill. The headaches go away once their body acclimatizes to the pill.

· Mood swings and overall crankiness – Women with a history of mood issues observe a spike in their symptoms after going on the pill. Some women, however, report an improvement in their mood changes.

· Decreased libido – Some women report a decrease in their sex drive once they start taking the pill. This could be a temporary result of the other short-term symptoms women experience, such as breast tenderness and bloating.

· Intermenstrual spotting – You can begin to bleed in the downtime between expected periods when you start the pill. The changes in the hormone levels of your body and your uterus adjusting to a thinner endometrial lining are reasons to blame.

· Weight gain – As already discussed, fluid retention may occur around the breasts and hips resulting in weight gain.

· Skipped periods – Some women miss their periods on the pill. Stress, illness, hormonal and thyroid abnormalities are factors that can influence this.

· Vaginal discharge – You may begin to spot an increase or decrease in vaginal discharge and the nature of this discharge. Although not harmful by themselves, changes in color and odor could indicate infection.

· Skin problems – While oral contraceptives can clear out acne in some women, they increase its incidence in others. It may also cause brown pigmentation on the face.

Conclusion

We have discussed the short-term side-effects of taking the pill. The pill also has certain long-term risks associated such as diabetes, increased risk of cancer, oxidative stress, yeast infections, nutrient depletion and cardiovascular problems. One may use IUDs, condoms, a vaginal cup and other preventative methods for contraception. A shot of contraceptive hormones also makes for a better alternative to the pill.

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