Birth control pills, the side effects can be both positive and negative. Some of the benefits include predictable periods, lighter menstrual flow, and less cramping. These can provide a pleasant change for some women and life-enhancing relief from disabling periods for others. In fact, many women and girls actually take the Pill for these benefits, even when they don’t need birth control. birth control pills also present some common and annoying side effects that are not so welcome. Several are most noticeable within the first few months of use, while others may only develop after many years. Keep in mind that there still is a slight risk of conceiving while you’re on oral contraceptive pills. If you are having pregnancy-like symptoms, such as absent periods, persistent nausea, or abnormal bleeding (which might be a sign of a threatened miscarriage). Many women feel nauseated during the first few days of pill use. If queasiness hits when you first start taking the Pill, or when you start any new pack, try to wait it out. In general, most women feel better pretty quickly. Be sure to take the pills at a regular time every day, not only for better protection, but also because having to double your dose can make the nausea worse. Some women are extremely sensitive to the amount of estrogen in their pills, and changing to one with a lower estrogen dose often will resolve this problem. If you do throw up after taking the Pill, it is probably OK. By the time the hormone gets into your system and makes you nauseated, it has reached your bloodstream and can’t be ejected with your stomach contents. For many women, it takes a few months of being on the Pill before their menstrual cycle regulates itself. You may have a small amount of bleeding in between cycles or a full-blown period that comes early. This is not a sign that the Pill is failing–you’re still protected if you’ve been taking your pills properly. If you’re still experiencing irregular periods after four months, talk to your practitioner about your options. Some women develop breakthrough bleeding after months or years of birth control pill use. The pills’ hormones can cause the uterine lining to get very thin over time, so sometimes it may not have the necessary structure to stay in place, causing spotting or an early period. Estrogen gives some women headaches, requiring them to take a pill that has a lower estrogen dose or is progestin-only. Some get headaches as the hormone levels drop at the end of the pack; these women benefit from supplemental estrogen instead of placebos, or from a change in pill brand. Your practitioner can help you figure out what needs to be done to resolve your headaches. Tracking the timing of your headaches during the month can help him figure out what to try first. Severe migraine headaches or headaches with neurological symptoms, such as blurred or spotty vision, or numbness or weakness of the arms or legs, should be reported to your physician.
