Contraceptive Pill Side Effects
While all contraceptive pills contain synthetic versions of female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) not all pills contain the same level, or the same combination, of these hormones.
Most contraceptive pills fit into one of two categories:
- Combined Pill: These contain both a form of estrogen and a form of progestin (man-made form of progesterone)
- Mini Pill: These contain a form of progestin only (man-made form of progesterone)
Generally, they both come with the same list of common side effects:
- Spotting
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Mood changes
- Decreased libido
- Skin issues
It’s a bit of give-and-take
Contraception is designed to help you prevent pregnancy (and some even protect you from STIs) but there is always risk involved with hormone-based contraception.
Remember, you are using synthetic (aka fake) hormones to change the way your reproductive system functions every month.
If you have side effects that become extremely unmanageable and you suspect that something is not "normal", you need to speak to your practitioner.