The Lowdown and the "Down Low" of Birth Control

Birth control ranges from condoms, daily pills, and monthly injections to implants that stay until you are ready to have children (along with many others). Each method of birth control has its risks that depend on the type of birth control and on each individual person. I have been on Yasmin, the pill form of birth control, for the last 5 years. This particular pill has recently been on television scaring people away. However, if you actually listen to the commercials and read about birth control pills, they all have almost the exact same side effects. While the side effects presented on TV are the most extreme, they are also the most uncommon. As long as you and your doctor do the research, you can find a pill that will work best for you.


My personal experience with birth control has been good. However, I did have a few side effects when I first started on the pill. One very common side effect is abnormal bleeding. For the entire first month I was on birth control I had my period. When this first happened I will admit it was pretty scary, but when I called the doctor he reassured me that this can be a normal side effect and that it should correct itself when my body got used to the pill. Another effect the pill has had on me is breast enlargement. While this doesn’t happen to everyone, I went up two cup sizes in approximately 2 ½ months. One last side effect I had was bruising. This was not a side effect that I was aware of or that I feel is well known. The loss of blood I was experiencing actually caused me to be anemic and that is what caused the softball sized bruises I was getting on my legs. This only last for a couple weeks and corrected itself when my body got used to the pill and my menstrual periods became regular.

I feel it is important for people to know about the possible side effects of birth control but not to be scared away by commercials claiming they can make you money if you took a certain pill. Birth control is a good choice and it just depends on the person which is the best choice. Other possible side effects and some possible benefits of birth control are listed below

Side Effects

• Nausea, vomiting

• Weight gain or loss

• Abnormal menstrual bleeding

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Increased or decreased appetite

• Breast tenderness, enlargement or discharge

• White vaginal discharge

Uncommon Severe Side Effects

• Severe headache

• Speech problems

• Weakness or numbness of an arm or leg

• Crushing chest pain or heaviness

• Shortness of breath

• Yellowing of skin

• Dark urine

• Light-colored stool

• Depression

Possible benefits

• Reduce menstrual cramps

• Make periods lighter

• Makes periods more regular

• Helps with acne

• Protection against ovarian cysts



Resources and for more information:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000050#a601050-sideEffects

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/anemia.cfm#11

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/birth-control-methods.cfm

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/birth-control-pill-4228.htm