How Contraceptive Pills Affect Your Body: Benefits and Side Effects
Starting a contraceptive pill often comes with questions. Will it change your periods? Can it affect your mood or weight? And which side effects are normal?
Contraceptive pills use hormones to prevent pregnancy. These hormones can also change your menstrual cycle. Some women have lighter periods, while others may notice spotting or other changes, especially during the first few months.
Knowing what can happen when you start the pill can help you tell the difference between common side effects and symptoms that need medical attention.
Key Takeaways
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How Do Contraceptive Pills Affect Your Body?
There are different types of contraceptive pills. Combined oral contraceptives contain an oestrogen and a progestin, while progestin-only pills contain just one hormone.
Combined pills prevent ovulation by changing the hormonal signals that release an egg. They also thicken the mucus around the cervix, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg, and change the lining of the uterus.
Because of these hormonal changes, your usual menstrual pattern may also change. Periods can become lighter or more predictable, while spotting between periods is also possible.
What Are the Benefits of Taking the Pill?
Preventing pregnancy is the main reason to take a contraceptive pill, but there can be other benefits.
Some women have less menstrual pain and lighter bleeding while taking the pill. Certain formulations can also help with irregular periods. Combined oral contraceptives are associated with a lower risk of some conditions, including ovarian and endometrial cancers.
The effect on periods can make hormonal contraception useful for women dealing with menstrual symptoms as well as those looking for pregnancy prevention.
The pill is also reversible. Fertility returns quickly after stopping oral contraceptives, and taking the pill does not cause infertility.
What Side Effects Can Contraceptive Pills Cause?
Side effects are more common when you first start the pill and often become less noticeable with time.
Common Side Effects
Nausea
Headaches
Breast tenderness
Bloating
Mood changes
Spotting
Changes in menstrual bleeding
Dizziness
Acne may also improve or worsen depending on the formulation.
Desogestrel Ethinylestradiol combines a progestin and oestrogen and is used in some combined oral contraceptives. Femilon Tablet is one example.
If side effects continue or start affecting your daily life, speak with your healthcare provider. A different formulation or contraceptive method may be more suitable.
Changes to Your Period
The pill can change your usual bleeding pattern. Periods may become lighter, spotting may occur between periods, or you may have no bleeding during the expected break from active pills.
These changes are common during the first few months and often settle with continued use.
A missed period can still raise concerns about pregnancy. If you have missed pills or taken them incorrectly, consider taking a pregnancy test. Some Signs of Pregnancy, such as nausea, tiredness and breast changes, can also occur as side effects of hormonal contraception.
Can the Pill Affect Your Weight or Mood?
Some women notice changes in appetite, mood or weight after starting the pill. Weight can also change because of diet, activity, stress, sleep and other factors, so the pill may not always be the reason.
If you notice persistent or significant mood changes after starting a particular pill, discuss them with your healthcare provider. Another formulation or contraceptive method may work better for you.
When Can Side Effects Be Serious?
Combined pills can increase the risk of blood clots. This risk can be higher in women who smoke or have certain health conditions, including migraine with aura, a history of blood clots, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease.
Seek immediate help if you develop sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe pain or swelling in a leg, or sudden vision changes.
What Should You Know Before Starting the Pill?
Tell your healthcare provider about any health conditions you have and medicines you take. Some conditions can make certain hormonal contraceptives unsuitable, while some medicines can affect how well they work.
Taking the pill regularly also matters. Missing doses can reduce protection against pregnancy. What to do after a missed pill depends on the type of contraceptive and the number of doses missed, so check the instructions for your specific pill or speak with a healthcare professional.
You do not need to take a break from oral contraceptives simply because you have been using them for a long time. They can be used for many years when they remain medically appropriate.
If a pill causes ongoing problems, you do not have to continue with it. Discuss the symptoms with your healthcare provider and ask whether another contraceptive option may be better suited to you.
Do Contraceptive Pills Protect Against STIs?
No. Contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy but do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. If you need STI protection, use condoms alongside hormonal contraception.
Final Thought
Choosing a contraceptive is not just about preventing pregnancy. The way your body responds matters too. If a pill causes changes that concern you or affects your day-to-day life, you have other options to consider with your healthcare provider.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general educational and awareness purposes only. It does not provide personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Contraceptive pills may not be suitable for everyone, and their benefits and risks can vary based on individual health conditions, medical history and other medicines being taken. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping or changing a contraceptive medicine.
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