It
was the best of times, it was the worst of times: Oh, did that just describe
your experiences on hormonal birth control?
While
birth control side effects are mostly awesome (less cramps! no unwanted
pregnancies!), they can admittedly also be sucky (ahem, blood clots).
FWIW:
Hormonal birth control comes in two forms: combination (certain types of pills,
the vaginal ring, and the transdermal patch), which includes both estrogen and
progestin, and progestin-only (IUDs, shots, implants, and the mini-pill).
But
both types of hormonal birth control come with pretty similar side
effects—good, bad, and ugly.
These
are the most common birth control side effects you should know about:
1.
Your acne magically clears up
“Some
people have hormonal acne, so a regular cycle and a steadier dose of hormones
can help,” says Dr. Christine Masterson, chief of the women and children’s
service line at Summit Medical Group in New Jersey. But she also warns that
breakouts can get worse before they get better, so it’s best to wait up to six
months before judging whether or not your hormonal birth control has improved
your acne.
2.
You’re gaining weight
Some
women experience a temporary amount of weight gain, says Masterson, but this
side effect is typically correlated with the amount of estrogen in the
particular pill you are taking (though it can happen on progestin-only options
too).
“As
the pill has evolved, we’ve been able to lower the amount of estrogen in the
pill and still have it be effective,” she explains. “Less estrogen can mean
less weight gain, so lower-dose pills are helpful for patients experiencing
weight gain.”
3.
You’re having some pretty serious mood swings
Any
time you introduce hormones into your body via birth control, it can cause mood
changes. “Having crying spells, not seeing the joy in life, and having
difficulty getting out of bed are all signs of depression,” says Masterson.
“If
you’re experiencing any of those symptoms, or having harming thoughts,
experiencing difficulty functioning at work, or your relationships are starting
to become affected, you should have a conversation with your doctor,” Masterson
adds, especially if you’ve been feeling that way for longer than four to six
weeks.
4.
Your periods have gotten less painful
Dysmenorrhea
(a.k.a. period pain) can be a bitch, to say the least—but hormonal birth
control can help with that. “Hormonal birth control is linked to shorter,
lighter and less painful periods, so for women who are really suffering from
dysmenorrhea, it can make a tremendous difference,” Masterson says.
If
a regular birth control pill doesn’t decrease your symptoms, she recommends
talking to your doctor about skipping periods so you at least experience
symptoms less often.
5.
You’re getting fewer and fewer ovarian cysts
If
you suffer from regular ovarian cysts (which can cause abdominal pain), taking
birth control can reduce the hormonal fluctuations that often contribute to
their development, says Masterson.
She
notes there may be another benefit for your ovaries, too: a reduced risk of
cancer. “We know that women with fewer ovulations in their lives—those with
many pregnancies, who used the pill, and who have breastfed—have a decreased
chance of ovarian cancer than those who ovulate more in their lifetime,” she
says, explaining that abnormal cells can form during the normal pattern of
ovulation and cell repair after the egg is released.
Because
combination birth control reduces ovulation more than progestin-only kinds,
they do provide more protection (though some women taking progestin-only kinds
won’t ovulate, so it may protect them, too).
6.
You’re not getting menstrual migraines as much anymore
“If
you have a predictable migraine associated with onset of period, taking
hormonal birth control can allow you not to get the migraine in the first
place,” says Masterson. A drop in estrogen is to blame for these intense
menstrual headaches (often accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, and
dizziness), so a consistent level of estrogen can help you avoid them.
But
the news isn’t all good: Masterson warns that migraine with aura is associated
with a higher risk of stroke, and is incompatible with hormonal birth control.
“We would take a careful history of a patient with migraines to make sure they
are candidates,” she says.
7.
Your boobs are so sore
An
increase in estrogen and progesterone levels after starting hormonal birth
control can cause breast changes. Your breasts may become fuller (you may even
have to go up a bra size) and/or feel tender, says Masterson.
However,
she also adds that the longer you are on it, the more likely it is those side
effects will subside.
8.
Your risk of blood clots goes way up
The
estrogen in hormonal birth control puts women at an increased risk for a number
of medical issues, says Masterson. (So, your risk of these issues decreases if
you’re on progestin-only methods.)
“There’s
a one in 1,000 risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT, or when a blood clot forms in
a deep vein in the body), so if you experience calf pain, swelling of the legs,
or shortness of breath, those are serious side effects that need to be
addressed by calling the medical emergency hotline or your doctor,” says
Masterson.
Also,
keep an eye out for signs of a heart attack, like pain in your chest, back,
shoulder, arm, or neck; and signs of a stroke, such as numbness or weakness of
the face, arm, or leg, a sudden, severe headache, or confusion.
Some
women are more at risk for these conditions than others, like smokers or those
with a family history. So, Masterson says it’s smart for women to have their
blood pressure checked regularly, particularly after starting a new birth
control, and to pay close attention to any alarming signs.
This
article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com
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