What are the most common side effects of birth control?

The most common side effects are spotting or bleeding between periods (this is more common with progestin-only pills), sore breasts, nausea, or headaches. But these usually go away after 2 or 3 months, and they don't happen to everyone who takes the pill. Birth control shouldn't make you feel sick or uncomfortable.
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What birth control has the most side effects?

Depo-Provera, an injectable contraceptive, is reported to have the most side effects. Oral contraceptives are reported to have the next highest number of side effects, whereas IUDs and the NuvaRing are reported to have the least.
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How common are serious side effects of birth control?

The reality of birth control is that while side effects can and sometimes do happen, birth control pills are very safe for most women. Serious side effects from the pill are rare, and the majority of women will only experience minor side effects, if any at all.
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When do birth control side effects start?

Your birth control could be to blame. It can take two to three months for your body to adjust to the hormones in a new birth control pill (or other form or hormonal birth control like the patch or shot), and that can mean side effects like acne or weight gain (though this is usually water retention, not extra fat).
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Does the pill make your boobs bigger?

Starting to take the pill can stimulate the breasts to grow. However, any increase in size is typically slight. Within a few months of taking the pill, the breasts generally return to their regular size. This usually also happens if a person stops taking the pill.
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Birth Control Pill: What's the side effect to birth control pills? | Nurx (2020)



Why you should not go on birth control?

Even though birth control pills are very safe, using the combination pill can slightly increase your risk of health problems. Complications are rare, but they can be serious. These include heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and liver tumors. In very rare cases, they can lead to death.
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What are negative side effects of birth control?

What are the side effects of birth control pills?
  • Nausea. Some users experience some mild nausea when first starting birth control pills. ...
  • Breast tenderness or enlargement. ...
  • Headaches. ...
  • Spotting or breakthrough bleeding. ...
  • Missed periods or amenorrhea. ...
  • Weight gain. ...
  • Mood changes. ...
  • Decreased sex drive.
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What are the disadvantages of birth control pills?

The sections below will look at some common side effects of oral contraceptives.
  • Spotting between periods. Breakthrough bleeding, or spotting, refers to when vaginal bleeding occurs between menstrual cycles. ...
  • Nausea. ...
  • Breast tenderness. ...
  • Headaches and migraine. ...
  • Weight gain. ...
  • Mood changes. ...
  • Missed periods. ...
  • Decreased libido.
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What are the pros and cons of birth control pills?

They can lessen the pain of menstrual cramps, keep acne under control, and protect against certain cancers. As with all medications, they do have some potential risks and side effects. These include an increased risk of blood clots and a small increase in breast cancer risk.
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What is the healthiest birth control?

Abstinence. Abstinence is the only birth control that is 100 percent effective and is also the best way to protect you against STDs.
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Which birth control has least side effects?

No form of birth control is free of side effects, but the IUD (intrauterine device) seems to have the least noticeable ones. That's what makes it such a popular option among women of all ages. An IUD is a tiny device a doctor puts into your uterus to prevent pregnancy.
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What does birth control do to your body?

The hormonal contraceptive usually stops the body from ovulating. They also change the cervical mucus to make it difficult for the sperm to go through the cervix and find an egg. They can also prevent pregnancy by changing the lining of the womb so it's unlikely the fertilized egg will be implanted.
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Who should not take birth control pills?

If you have coronary artery disease, migraines, diabetes, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, high blood pressure, impaired liver function, or a liver tumor, you should not take birth control pills.
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When is the best time to take birth control pills morning or night?

A good time to take the pill is in the evening, either just before you go to bed or around dinner time, says Dr. Yen. Our a recent interview, she said, “In the 19+ years that I've been prescribing women birth control, I've only had 2 women who woke up from sleep with nausea.
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What's the most popular birth control pill?

Combination pill

1. Monophasic pills are the most common type of birth control pill. They are “single phase,” meaning they provide a steady dose of hormones throughout the entire pack.
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What are the long term side effects of birth control pills?

More serious potential side effects of birth control pills include:
  • blood clots.
  • gallbladder disease.
  • heart attack.
  • high blood pressure.
  • liver cancer.
  • stroke.
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What are the long term effects of birth control?

The long-term use of birth control pills also slightly raises your risk for blood clots and heart attack after the age of 35. The risk is higher if you also have: high blood pressure. a history of heart disease.
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Does birth control give you acne?

Acne is a potential side effect of all hormonal birth control methods including birth control pills, the patch, the depo-shot, and the NuvaRing can all cause acne or make it worse. However, many people who take birth control report that hormonal birth control methods improve their skin.
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Which birth control causes weight gain?

One study showed that, over one year, women who used Depo-Provera gained five pounds more than those using a copper IUD. The reason Depo-Provera can cause weight gain, Dr. Stanwood explains, is that it can activate signals in the brain that control hunger.
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What it's like getting off birth control?

Your period might change after getting off birth control, too. It's normal to expect a slightly heavier flow and a little bit more cramping, says Dr. Kashani. If you experience severe cramps or heavy bleeding, bring these concerns to your doctor.
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Should I still use condoms while on the pill?

While on the pill should you still use a condom when having sex? It's a good idea to use condoms every time you have sex if you want to protect against sexually transmitted infections as well as pregnancy. When used correctly, the pill is up to 99.7 percent effective against pregnancy.
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What age should you come off the pill?

All women can stop using contraception at the age of 55 as getting pregnant naturally after this is very rare. For safety reasons, women are advised to stop the combined pill at 50 and change to a progestogen-only pill or other method of contraception.
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What birth control causes weight loss?

No birth control has been designed for or scientifically proven to cause weight loss. But one of the hormones in Yasmin, drospirenone, can act as a diuretic. That means it may lead to less or no water retention, giving the illusion that you've lost weight.
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What birth control works the fastest?

Progestin-only pills

Sometimes called the “mini-pill,” this type can work immediately if the person takes it between days 1 and 5 of their menstrual cycle. In other words, they should take the first pill in the first 5 days after a period has begun.
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What birth control doesn't cause weight gain?

There's been a lot of research on common birth control side effects. And studies show that the pill, the ring, the patch, and the IUD don't make you gain weight or lose weight. There are 2 methods of birth control that cause weight gain in some people who use them: the birth control shot and the birth control implant.
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