Hormonal Side Effects With Birth Control Pill

Birth control pills give women the security of knowing that as long as they take it as prescribed they can enjoy an active sex life without having to worry about an unplanned pregnancy. In addition, birth control pills are sometimes prescribed to address medical issues, such as very heavy bleeding. Several hormone-driven side effects may happen while you are on the pill. Understanding what they are can help you cope with them when they happen.

Cholesterol Increase

The Mayo Clinic reports that birth control pills do have an impact on cholesterol levels for some of the women that take them. Birth control pills contain hormones including estrogen and progesterone. There seems to be a correlation between the levels of hormones contained in the pill and how much of an impact there is on your cholesterol numbers, says the Mayo Clinic.

Fluid Retention

Many women believe that weight gain is an unavoidable problem of birth control pills, but information released by CNN Health says it is not true. According to CNN Health, weight gain due to the pill is minimal, but fluid retention can and does occur. This retention is usually concentrated in breasts, hips and thighs and can make you feel like you are heavier. CNN also reports that on rare occasions, women on the birth control pill will gain muscle mass, which will add weight.

Breakthrough Bleeding

While using the birth control pill you can experience breakthrough bleeding. This is caused by the fluctuations caused by the hormones in the pills, according to the Mayo Clinic. Breakthrough bleeding is when you have light bleeding between your period cycles.

Headaches

Hormone-triggered headaches can begin once you start using birth control pills, says Mayo Clinic. Women who report these headaches usually discover that they disappear after they stop the pill, or they go through menopause and stop having monthly cycles. The headaches are caused by the hormones the pill introduces to your body.