Side Effects of Oral Contraceptive Pills

Oral Contraceptive Pills

- contain estrogen and progesterone (composition may vary)

Side effects:

Most women have no side effects. Most side effects go away after the 1^st 3-4 cycles.

- Bleeding between periods: spotting may occur while taking the first three weeks of hormone pills, but this is not serious. Usually occurs during the first 2-3 cycles. Becomes serious if bleeding becomes heavier or last a few days.

- Irregular periods

- Nausea: usually goes away if the pill is taken with a meal or a snack at bedtime (due to effects of estrogen..therefore if too severe, give pill with less estrogen)

- Headaches: also given lower dose of estrogen or taken off OCP if too severe

- Mood changes: exercise and a healthy diet may help, if not, change the type of pill

- Acne: usually helps cure acne, but a few women feel they get acne from taking OCP

- Appetite change: appetite increases, becomes bloated

- Weight gain (some claim they lose weight)

- Breast tenderness

- Blood clots: usually in women over 35 who smoke

Important:

• Abdominal pain (severe)
• Chest pain (severe), cough, shortness of breath
• Headache (severe), dizziness, weakness, or numbness
• Eye problems (vision loss or blurring), speech problems
• Severe leg pain (calf or thigh)

Why do women use OCP?

- Milder menstrual cramps: for girls who experience severe menstrual cramps and OTC medications do not help. Helps to decrease menstrual cramps.

- Lighter periods: reduce the amount and length of menstrual bleeding. For girls whose menstrual periods are irregular (too often, too late, or not at all), OCP help regulate the menstrual cycle to every 28 days and provide the body normal amounts of estrogen to help protect the bones

- Cure acne: for moderate to sever acne, which OTC and prescription medications can’t cure, OCPs may be used. Hormones help stop acne from forming. May take several months to work

- Protection from ovarian cancer and endometrial (lining of uterus) cancer

- Does not increase risk of breast cancer

- Protection from anemia: because less menstrual bleed

Resources:

http://womenshealth.about.com/od/thepill/f/pillsideeffects.htm

http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/med-uses-ocp.html

(Posted by: Vivian)