Birth control pills have become a popular choice for contraception. But just like any other medicine, these pills come with some side effects. Remember that this may not apply to everyone, so it’s always best to consult a doctor first if you want to keep things safe.
Birth control pills are an effective method to avoid pregnancy which can take a toll on your lifestyle. However, they could also worsen short-term and long-term health issues, sometimes even leading to death in severe cases. In addition, there are various types of pills available, and each could have its respective side effects on health.
Health issues and using birth control pills
Keep an eye on all health issues – from the short-term regular ones to the long-term ones!
Using birth control pills also depends on any health issues you’ve recovered from in the past. Also, note that you can develop new problems if you haven’t previously had any severe health concerns because the side effects can increase with consistent and heavy use.
Conditions in which you should avoid taking birth control pills
You need to consider any health issues before taking birth control pills. In most cases, these pills have a drastic effect if you have severe internal health problems concerning your organs.
- Frequent drops and shoots in blood pressure
- Heart attack or other cardiac issues
- Breast cancer
- Other types of cancer such as cervical, uterine, endometrial, or ovarian
- Diabetes and liver issues such as organ failure, etc.
- Kidney diseases
If you previously had any of the above issues, your conditions could worsen because of birth control pills. So it’s best to avoid taking them altogether.
PRO-TIP: If you’ve had breast cancer in the past, avoid using both combination and progestin-only birth control pills.
Side effects vary according to the types of birth control pills
The ‘combination’ pill is the most commonly taken birth control pill.
Birth control pills have a bit of hormones present in them, such as estrogen and progestin. When ingested, these pills affect the hormones present inside the body. In turn, it restricts ovulating, which prevents pregnancy.
Have a look at the following type of birth control pills and the side effects for each.
1. The Combination Pill
This birth control pill consists of progestin and estrogen. When taken properly and effectively, it’s around 99% effective. However, it could also cause the following side effects:
- Blood clotting and abnormal blood pressure
- Breast tenderness
- Bleeding or spotting outside the period phase
- Headaches or migraines
And while combination birth control pills are used the most, they are also the ones that can affect your health negatively.
2. The Mini Pill
This pill only contains progestin. Although it is as effective as the combination pill, the side effects are slightly different.
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches or migraines
- Bleeding or spotting, out of the period phase
So, in contrast to the combination pill, the mini-pill is less likely to cause blood pressure and blood clotting problems.
3. Levonorgestrel emergency pill
This birth control pill isn’t as effective as the combination and mini pills. And on top of that, it could also cause many side effects such as the following:
- Fatigue
- Changes in period (irregular bleeding or menstrual cycle)
- Headaches, dizziness, or lightheadedness
- Pain in the stomach or lower belly
- Chest pain or breast tenderness
- Nausea and vomiting
4. Ulipristal emergency pill
This pill also causes almost the same side effects as the levonorgestrel emergency pill. Although vomiting is a less likely side effect with this pill. And, the only difference compared to the levonorgestrel emergency pill is that you can only expect around 60% to 70% effectiveness with the ulipristal one.
Signs you need to look out for when taking birth control pills
What are some of the quick signs of taking birth control pills?
These are some signs that’ll help you understand if birth control pills are taking a toll on your health:
- Stomach pain
- Soreness in body parts, particularly the legs
- Extremely intense headaches
- Skin getting paler
- Eyes turning yellow
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating and breathing issues
The above signs are basic. If you experience any of them while taking birth control pills, stop using them immediately. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s the combination pill or any other type.
PRO-TIP: If you’re breastfeeding, you can use progestin-only pills. Typically, the mini pill is an ideal choice in this case.
Conclusion
Hence, there are so many reasons why you shouldn’t use birth control pills. From hair loss, the risk of heart attacks, losing blood pressure control, developing blood tenderness, and much more. Also, bear in mind that the side effects of these birth control pills may vary from one type to another.
Combination pills have the most side effects while being the most effective. In contrast, the ulipristal emergency pill is the least effective but shares the same effects as the levonorgestrel one. Always consult your doctor before taking any decision regarding birth control pills.
