Oral contraceptives are considered to be the safest form of contraception, being effective in as much as 99% of cases. However, as is the case with all prescription medications, birth control pills can cause certain side effects and can pose a risk to health of an individual if they are especially susceptible to the common side effects.

As opposed to, for example, barrier contraceptives, contraceptive pills are not that well understood and their mechanism of action – mimicking the activity of naturally-occurring sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone – can often be misunderstood leading to an even greater confusion regarding their safety and reliability.

If this is not reason enough to discuss the side effects of birth control tablets, then there is an additional one – it is very important to get familiar with what could go wrong so you could act accordingly in case the need arises.

Below, we will discuss some of the most common, but also most serious side effects of oral contraceptives.

What’s on this page?

Blood clots and birth control pills

Blood clots are commonly cited side effect of oral contraceptives. But even this statement alone will require additional explanation. It is important to keep in mind that this side effect is related only to combined contraceptive pills and is completely absent with progesterone-only solutions. Known among medical experts as venous thromboembolism (or VTE for short), blood clots can form inside the veins where they will slow down or even completely stop the blood from circulating. In severe cases, this can lead to pooling of the blood in one place and the subsequent development of a solid mass called blood clot.

If the blood clot breaks off and moves, it can travel through the body and cause severe and even life-threatening complications such as pulmonary embolism, stroke or heart attack.

Luckily, the relevant authorities and medical experts concluded that the risk of this side effect is very small and the benefits of oral contraceptives will usually outweigh it by far. However, there are certain risk factors which may exacerbate the risk. They include:

  • Being an active smoker
  • Being overweight
  • Having a history of cardiovascular conditions

In either case, the doctors advise to get familiar with the symptoms of blood clot in time, that is, prior to commencing treatment. Some of the most noticeable signs include:

  • Severe leg pain
  • Sudden loss of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Rapid breathing
  • Unexplained cough, sometimes with blood manifesting
  • Discomfort in the upper body, jaw, throat, back or arms
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Confusion
  • Loss of vision or blurred vision
  • Severe headaches or migraines without prior history

Can contraceptive pills cause cancer?

As this is a very important question, the studies aiming to provide a final answer are still on-going. However, there are some indications that seem to suggest that birth control pills can really increase the risk of developing breast or cervical cancer, but only so slightly that this still remains in the domain of highly unlikely. But, truth be told, they can at the same time significantly decrease the risk of developing ovarian or endometrial cancer. If you have a family history of cervical or breast cancer, contraceptive pills might not be the best idea, but otherwise, the risk is minimal.

What are the contraindications for taking the pill?

Due to identified side effects of combined oral contraceptives, these medications will be prescribed only if the doctor is confident that they will not lead to further health complications. Below, we will briefly discuss some of the situations when the doctor is likely to advise against using contraceptive pills.

Being overweight

Combined birth control pills are unlikely to be prescribed to women who are severely overweight or obese as they can increase the risk of various cardiovascular problems. And with weight already contributing to these risks, the doctor is likely to make a decision to recommend some different type of treatment.

Being affected by hypertension

Another scenario when birth control pills won’t be recommended is if you have been diagnosed with hypertension. Combined contraceptive pills can somewhat increase blood pressure which is not an issue for healthy women, but those diagnosed with hypertension might be at a significantly higher risk.

Presence of migraines

Migraines can be exacerbated by the introduction of synthetic sex hormones, it is a well-known fact, so it comes as no surprise that women who have issues with this are unlikely to get approval for the use of contraceptive pills. In addition to this, the interaction between naturally-occurring migraines and those caused by oral contraceptives can increase the risk of a stroke or myocardial infarction which will cause the doctor to advise you against using this contraceptive method.

What are alternatives to birth control pills?

If all this sounds too frightening, or you recognised your medical profile among contraindications, do not worry – there are numerous other contraceptive options out there. From barrier contraceptives to more elaborate mechanisms such as IUDs or IUSs, you can always find an option that is just right for you.

In addition to this, prior to issuing a prescription, the doctor will attempt to gain an understanding of your medical profile and history so he can make an informed assessment and make sure that the contraceptive method prescribed to you will be both safe and reliable.