Nutritional deficienciesĪdditionally, though not listed on the package insert, there is some concern that various vitamins and minerals are depleted in birth control pill users. According to one small study of 43 women, those on birth control pills had worse verbal fluency than those not taking a hormonal form of birth control. There may even be an impact on cognitive function. An observational study of over 1 million women in Denmark, found that women who took the pill with both estrogen and progesterone were about 20% more likely to end up on an antidepressant. In one randomized controlled study of 178 women, those on birth control experienced less premenstrual depression, but during other parts of their cycle were more likely to be anxious and moody. This may be a result of the change in gut microbes and estrogen’s negative impact on gut permeability. Gum disease is a more common side effect of birth control pills and this may be because the Candida and Prevotella bacterial species that contribute to it are more abundant in the mouth when taking birth control.Ĭrohn’s disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, also occurs more often in women on birth control, perhaps almost three times as often. While birth control pills don’t directly cause yeast infections, they can disrupt your body’s natural hormonal balance -specifically the balance between estrogen and progesterone-which can sometimes lead to yeast overgrowth and subsequent vaginal infection. Research has shown that yeast infections are more common amongst women on birth control. However, there are several more serious and potential side effects of birth control that deserve more attention. Some of these side effects are temporary, lasting just a few months, and others are minor enough, such as mild insulin resistance. Melasma (dark pigmentation on the face) which may persist.While birth control side effects are fewer than in the 60s, if you look at the package insert of a birth control pill, there are a number of less serious ‘adverse reactions’ listed, none of which are a sign of a serious illness. In reality, women do forget doses, and there are about 9 pregnancies per 100 users per year. The good news is that when taken correctly, meaning no missed doses, it is extremely effective at preventing pregnancy, with fewer than 1 pregnancy for every 100 users each year. stopping the ovary from releasing an egg into the fallopian tube each month). The main way it works is by inhibiting ovulation (i.e. The FDA first approved it as a form of birth control in 1960, and since then formulations have evolved to include much lower doses of hormones than they used to, making them equally effective with fewer serious side effects. There is also a progesterone-only version used in certain cases. What are birth control pills?Ī birth control pill most commonly consists of a combination of synthetic estrogen and progesterone. To decide what’s best for you, it’s important to know what some of the potential side effects of birth control are and what non hormonal birth control options are available. With roughly 10 million women in the US taking birth control pills at any given time, and 1 in 4 girls 15-24 years old using it, even uncommon adverse events aren’t all that rare. Just like with every other medication, there are side effects, both major and minor associated with birth control. By enabling women to better determine when or if they have children, oral contraceptives and other methods of reliable birth control have helped make it possible for more women to pursue higher education, enter advanced professional fields, and earn higher wages.īut over the years we’ve learned that there is no such thing as a free ride. When birth control pills first came out in the 1960s, it was a game-changer for women as it gave them a simple way to put them in the driver’s seat for birth control. Whether you’re currently on birth control, considering going on birth control, or trying to get off of it, here are the facts to be aware of -and the side effects of birth control you’ll find in the fine print of those pamphlets you always toss.
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