Sexual Health Birth Control Using the Pill Possible Side Effects of the Pill Print By Tracee Cornforth Updated December 03, 2018 BSIP/UIG/Getty Images More in Birth Control Using the Pill How to Choose Contraception Over-the-Counter Types of IUDs Hormonal Methods Permanent Methods Prescription Options Emergency Contraception Condoms When Birth Control Fails Talking About Birth Control View All While the majority of women who use the birth control pill experience no side effects at all, this oral contraceptive does carry some risks. This is the case with any pharmaceutical product that alters your body chemistry in some way. The birth control pill works by providing hormones that prevent a woman's body from ovulating during her monthly menstrual cycle. The cervical mucus can thicken, which blocks the entry of sperm. The lining of the uterus changes, not thickening as it usually does during the menstrual cycle, so as to lower the chances that implantation will take place. Side Effects Because of the effects of the hormones in oral contraceptives on your body, there is the chance you will experience side effects such as: Bleeding between periodsIrregular periodsWeight gainNauseaBreast tendernessHeadachesMood changesBlood clots: more likely in women over 35 who smoke Most of these side effects ease up after three months on the pill. If they don't, speak to your healthcare provider. She may be able to prescribe a different oral contraceptive that works better for you. When to Call Your Doctor Most of the side effects of the birth control pill are minor. But if you are experiencing these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately as they are the signs of dangerous blood clots in your legs, lungs, or brain: Leg swellingLeg painLeg that feels warm to the touch or has changes in skin colorFever or chillsShort of breath or it is hard to breatheChest painCoughing up bloodHeadache that gets worse, migraine with aura Positive Side Effects On the flip side, some women experience positive side effects thanks to their birth control. These include: Lighter periodsMilder menstrual crampsImproved acneProtection against certain types of breast disease, ovarian cysts, anemia, and uterine cancer Weighing the Pros and Cons In choosing your preferred method of birth control, you'll need to weigh the pros and cons of every option. The only method that's 100 percent effective is abstinence, and that carries one major downside—the whole "no sex" thing. Every other method of birth control carries some sort of risk. Talk to your doctor about the options available to you. Ask about how they work, how effective they are, and what risks they carry. Pregnancy rates for different birth control methods are measured from one of two vantage points, "perfect use" or "typical use." If your primary goal is to avoid pregnancy, these are important statistics to discuss with your doctor. Sometimes, choosing your contraceptive isn't just about success rates; it's about what fits your lifestyle best. It's important to weigh your future plans, comfort level, sexual behavior, and a method's effectiveness against sexually-transmitted infections. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you reach your 2018 goals. Email Address Sign Up There was an error. Please try again. Thank you, , for signing up. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Birth Control Pills. Nemours. Birth Control Pills—Combination. MedlinePlus. Birth Control Pills—Overview. MedlinePlus. Continue Reading