Birth Control Pills: How to Recognize Side Effects

With so many different methods of hormonal birth control on the market today, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which is the right one for you. There’s the patch, the pill, the ring, etc. For most women it boils down to lifestyle and side effects.

Lifestyle is easy. Can you remember to take a pill every day, or do you prefer to only think about birth control once a month? Side effects can be trickier. So make informed decisions. Be aware of the possible side effects before you start any form of hormonal birth control.

The most popular form of hormonal birth control is an oral pill like Yasmin. These typically can cause headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness. The good news is that these symptoms will probably be temporary as your body adjusts to the pill. Be patient, but if you don’t feel any relief after a month or two, or if these symptoms become more then just a little nuisance, speak to your doctor. Nausea is another common side effect. It can take a couple months to subside. You can try taking the pill with food, but if you are on the ring or the patch, you may want to think about switching methods.

Other common side effects include breakthrough bleeding, decreased libido, and mood swings. These symptoms are less likely to subside. You may want to consider switching to a different pill or a different form of birth control.

While some of these side effects will taper off the longer you are on the pill, it is also possible to experience a gradual increase in side effects. If you experience any unexplained symptoms a few months after starting a new method of hormonal birth control, discuss them with your doctor. You may want to think about switching to a different pill.