Not All Side Effects are Created Equal

When you get an unwanted side effect from any medication, it may seem like the worst-case scenario. In terms of hormonal contraceptives, not all side effects are created equal.

If you’ve ever read the package inserted of hormonal birth control, you may quickly get cold feet. The list is long and quite frankly, not very attractive. Somewhere between diarrhea, acne, and a stroke, a girl starts to question what unlucky straw (if any) she may pick. But these side effects are not all miscellaneous, and some can be attributed to lifestyle. In this article, we will discuss: how and why some side effects occur, which ones are important to your safety, and which ones are just annoying.

When you answer medical questions at a doctor’s office, they are ensuring that you are a good candidate for hormonal birth control and ensuring the medical benefits out way the risks. Statistically speaking, healthcare professionals are wonderful at filtering patients at risk for major complications. Healthcare workers can do this by considering a patient’s: age, blood pressure, weight, medical history, BMI, physical activity level, and environmental factors such as smoking. It is proven that women who smoke are more inclined to experience a heart attack, stroke, and blood clots when they utilize combination contraceptives. This risk factor increases exponentially if a woman is over the age of 35 and smoking. Combination contraceptives are the most widely used birth control in the world. They include an estrogen and progestin derivative and help with regularity and reduced spotting.

Some non-lethal side effects can still drastically impact your life long-term. Generally speaking, side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are incredibly frustrating, but will not kill you like a heart attack. BUT, if a female is on the pill and experiences diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting after taking her pill every day, she may not actually be receiving the full dose of the medicine. Her body is unable to digest the active ingredients in time, leaving her susceptible to unplanned pregnancies. Over the first five to ten days of taking a new pill, all females should utilize backup protection to ensure proper safety. If you experience consistent diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting after taking your pill, try to take it with food, and always be sure to drink plenty of water. If it persists, tell your medical professional. Some pills cause these side effects more than others, so switching maybe your best option.

So what about side effects that don’t kill you or impact your birth controls effectiveness, but make you feel awful? Side effects such as acne, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, hair loss, weight gain, and even depression can make it really difficult. You might not even feel like yourself. Wait it out as long as you’re comfortable. There is no reason to make yourself crazy or miserable, but usually, your body gets used to the new hormones and adjusts accordingly. Plus hormonal birth control can decrease your risk of certain cancers, ovarian cysts, keep you more regular, and protect you from unplanned pregnancy.

Here are some tips for your next appointment:

• Be honest and know your contraceptive past! Tell your medical healthcare provider what worked well for you or caused deal-breaking side effects. Know the names of your old prescriptions. A pill is just a pharmaceutical recipe; if you know one of the ingredients doesn’t make you feel well, tell somebody. That way, you can receive an option with different ingredients.
• Go in with realistic expectations. Some people do well with hormonal changes; others do not. The longer you are on the same birth control, the longer your body gets used to and reduces your side effects. Don’t allow yourself to suffer, but know that side effects are common and usually decrease over time. Decide what your tolerance level will be, and what side effects are a deal-breaker.
• Learn the difference between dangerous and annoying. If you are noticing extreme: chest pain, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, swelling in your legs, etc. get to your closest emergency facility.