When used as directed, the pill is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
Most women can safely use birth control pills.
However, as with all medications, they do have possibleside effectsand risks.
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of using oral contraceptives, including common side effects.
Protection against developing these cancers can last up to 30 years after stopping combination birth control pills.
Plus, protection increases with each year of use.
The insert should also explainwhen to take your birth control pillsand what to do if you miss a pill.
Side effects are a common reason why people stop taking birth control pills.
Risks and Complications
Serious problems do not occur very often with the pill.
The most serious potential complication of combination birth control pill is developing ablood clotin your lungs or legs.
Pill brands likeYazand Beyaz containdrospirenone.
Potassium is a mineral in your blood that helps regulate your heartbeat and blood pressure, among other things.
Fertility journals and menstrual cycle tracking apps can be especially helpful with the natural rhythm method.
Barrier methods are used each time you have sex then removed afterwards.
Since these methods involve hormone regulation, you will need a prescription to get one.
For biological males, a vasectomy stops sperm from getting into a male’s ejaculated semen.
Each of these surgical procedures last for a lifetime, although they can be reversed with separate procedures.
Summary
Birth control pills are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy when used as directed.
Birth control pills have other health benefits.
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.
You and your healthcare provider should discuss the pros and cons of the pill for you specifically.
It can take a few months for side effects to go away completely.
If you continue to have side effects, your doctor may want you to switch to a different brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research shows that birth control pills do not causeweight loss or gain.
However, the pill may be less effective in women who are significantly overweight.
Yes, but combination birth control pills may decrease your milk supply.
Instead, you may want to try a progestin-only pill.
They do not decrease milk production in breastfeeding women.
Birth control pills start preventing pregnancy within seven days of starting them.
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