The Worst Side Effects of Birth Control Pills (And How to Avoid Them)
What is the maximum number of pills you can take a day? What are the possible side effects of birth control pills? The FAQs in this article answer questions like “How long will it take my body to get used to taking the Pill?” It also includes suggestions on how to avoid common Pill side effects like headaches, weight gain, acne, depression, breast tenderness, irregular bleeding, and more.
Table of Contents
Pregnancy
Many women who take the pill will stop having periods as a result. Hormonal changes that occur in your body can also lead to hormone swings which may make you feel more anxious or moody than usual. These hormonal changes may cause some women’s acne to get worse, while others may have dry skin, weight gain, and breakouts around their chin and jaw line.
It is important to find a birth control pill that suits your needs so you are less likely to experience these side effects.
Mood Swings
As hormonal fluctuations can lead to mood swings, and birth control pills regulate hormone levels, it is common for users of the oral contraceptive pill to experience them. One way they can be avoided is by taking the pill at the same time every day. Another option is changing brands, or adding a non-hormonal method into your routine, such as a barrier method like condoms or a diaphragm.
Weight Gain
Many people believe that the pill may cause weight gain, which can lead some women to stop taking it. The truth is that it’s a rare side effect and often the increase in weight is caused by other factors such as stress, smoking, or age.
Breast Tenderness
One of the most common side effects is breast tenderness. It’s not uncommon for a woman’s breasts to be sensitive and tingly after taking birth control pills, which may not go away until she stops taking them. To avoid this, take the pill at night and before bed, so that it does not interact with fluids in your body.
Headaches
Heads up, this side problems may last for two weeks or more before subsiding. While headaches are one of the most common side effects, there’s no need to panic if you get them–it is not known what causes these awful aches and it usually goes away on its own. The key is knowing how to cope with it.
Depression & Moodiness
Birth control pills don’t just have a physical impact on your body. They can also contribute to moodiness and depression, thanks to an imbalance in hormone levels. While these are some of the most common side effects, there are several ways you can avoid or lessen them:
1. Consider taking an extended break from your pill each month. If you usually take a break for about two weeks, try extending it by three or four days instead.
Low Libido
Losing your sex drive can be an awful side time effect of taking the pill. Hormonal changes that come with birth control often result in reduced libido. Talk to your doctor about other methods if you are experiencing this problem.
Anxiety
Women on the pill may experience side effects in varying degrees: they may feel less anxious, more anxious, or no change. You can’t predict how it will affect you until you try it. If anxiety is a problem for you and birth control pills worsen your symptoms, consider non-hormonal contraception such as condoms and IUDs.
Changes in Sex Drive & Performance
Birth control pills can often lead to a decrease in sex drive, due to the drop in estrogen levels. A lack of estrogen can lead to low testosterone levels, which may cause fatigue and low sex drive in women. Talk with your doctor if you experience any symptoms like these and they persist for more than a month, as this could be something other than decreased hormone levels. Here are some tips on how to avoid the side effects
10 )Possible Long-Term Problems
Possible long-term problems that can arise from using birth control pills include blood clots and difficulty getting pregnant. Women who smoke may be at higher risk for these side effects.