Contraceptive Pill Effects
Contraceptive pills are one of the most effective forms of birth control, with only 1 out of 100 women who take the pill every day getting pregnant while using them. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, they are also the most popular form of contraception in the United States, taken by over 30 percent of women using birth control.
There are several different types of contraceptive pills available, all considered relatively safe for most women. Still, it is important to be aware of possible unwanted side effects when choosing which birth-control method is best for you. Discuss the risks and benefits of oral contraceptives with your doctor before deciding.
Short-Term Effects
Beginning any hormonal birth-control regimen can cause short-term side effects as your body adjusts to the hormones. Symptoms vary based on what sort of contraceptive pill you are taking, but the most common complaints are bleeding between periods, breast tenderness and nausea. If the symptoms are severe, or last longer than three months, you should talk to your doctor about alternative forms of birth control.
Weight Gain
Weight gain has long been touted as a negative side effect of contraceptive pills, but according to the Mayo Clinic, increased water retention is the real culprit. The estrogen in birth-control pills causes fat cells to swell, making you look and feel larger, especially around the breasts, hips and thighs. Choosing a pill with a lower dose of estrogen may alleviate this effect.
Blood Pressure
Birth-control pills can increase your blood pressure, and the longer you take them, the more likely you are to develop high blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked regularly while you are on the pill, to make sure it stays in a healthy range. If you already struggle with high blood pressure, a different type of birth control may be a better choice for you.
Cancer
Prolonged use of contraceptive pills increases your likelihood of getting cervical and liver cancer, and lowers your risk of developing ovarian and endometrial cancer. It is uncertain whether taking birth-control pills significantly affects your likelihood of developing breast cancer, but any increased risk dwindles over time. Ten years after going off birth control pills, your risk of developing breast cancer is no greater than if you had never taken them.
Cardiovascular Disease
Reproductive hormones can have a big impact on your cardiovascular system. Low estrogen levels contribute to the thickening and hardening of artery walls, but taking supplemental estrogen increases the risk of clotting. Both increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
If you smoke and are over the age of 35, or are at high risk for cardiovascular disease for any other reason, you should consider different forms of birth control. If you do decide to take contraceptive pills, have your doctor monitor you closely.
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