What are the side effects of contraceptive pills?

I believe everyone has heard of birth control pills, and everyone knows the harm that birth control pills can do to women's bodies. Female pregnancy is mainly a process in which the male sperm enters the female vagina, meets the egg, and finally combines to form a fertilized egg. However, some people do not plan to have children and do not take contraceptive measures. At this time, women need to take birth control pills to avoid pregnancy. So what are the side effects of birth control pills?

Side effects of taking birth control pills:

1. Early pregnancy reaction

Pregnancy-like reactions are common, accounting for about 50% of the number of people taking the medicine. Symptoms are usually severe at first, then become mild and gradually disappear, which may be related to the body's gradual adaptation. A small number of people experience mild early pregnancy-like reactions in the early stages of taking the medication, such as nausea, dizziness, weakness, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, etc. It usually occurs within 1-2 weeks of taking the medicine. The reason is that the estrogen level is temporarily excessive, causing water and sodium retention in the body and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Generally, after taking the medicine for 2 to 3 months, the reaction will disappear or alleviate naturally. Scheduling the medication time before going to bed at night can make the daytime reaction lighter. For those with more severe reactions, vitamin B6 can be taken, 20 mg each time, 3 times a day. If there is still no relief, you can consider changing your contraceptive pill and choose one with lower estrogen content.

2. Increased leucorrhea

It is mostly caused by long-acting oral contraceptives. Because this type of drug has a high estrogen content, excessive estrogen affects the secretory cells of the cervical endometrium, causing them to secrete more vigorously and causing an increase in leucorrhea.

3. Breast pain

The reason is the stimulation of the breasts by estrogen.

4. Menstrual disorders

(1) Decreased menstrual flow or amenorrhea. This situation often occurs after taking short-acting contraceptives. This is because the drugs inhibit ovulation, the ovaries secrete less estrogen, the amount of estrogen contained in the drugs is also less, the endometrium cannot grow normally, the endometrium is thin, so the menstrual flow is reduced, or even menstruation stops. Reduced menstrual flow has no effect on your health. If you miss your period for 2 consecutive months while taking the medication, you should stop taking it and use other contraceptive measures. Most people can return to normal on their own. Amenorrhea often occurs after taking long-acting contraceptives. At this time, progestin drugs such as medroxyprogesterone or norethindrone can be used, or progesterone can be injected. You can also use short-acting contraceptive No. 2, taking 2 tablets every night for 5 to 6 days. Menstruation usually occurs within a week after stopping the medication.

(2) Breakthrough bleeding. If bleeding occurs while taking medication, it usually occurs after missing a dose. A small number of people may experience vaginal bleeding even if they have not missed a dose. If it occurs in the first half of the menstrual cycle, it may be caused by estrogen deficiency. You can take 0.005-0.015 mg of ethinyl estradiol once a day until you have taken 22 tablets. If it occurs in the second half of the menstrual cycle, it is caused by insufficient progesterone. You can take one more short-acting contraceptive tablet No. 1 or No. 2 until you have taken 22 tablets. If the amount of bleeding is as heavy as menstruation, treat it as menstruation and stop taking the medicine immediately. Start taking the medicine for next month on the 5th day after stopping the medicine.

(3) Increased menstrual flow and prolonged menstrual period. It often occurs in people who take long-acting oral contraceptives. When bleeding is heavy, hemostatic drugs can be used, and testosterone propionate can be injected if necessary. If the menstrual volume continues to increase and bleeding continues for more than 3 months, you should stop taking long-acting oral contraceptives and take short-acting ones instead. When using long-acting injectable contraceptives, menstrual irregularities often occur, such as prolonged menstrual period, heavy menstrual flow, shortened cycle, irregular bleeding or amenorrhea, which is more common in the first 3 months of medication. If you continue to use it, it will gradually return to normal. If bleeding occurs, ethinyl estradiol can be taken for 3 consecutive days.