The Side Effects of Birth Control

You're young, get your period, and start taking the pill. Sounds familiar? The pill is incredibly effective, easy to use, and it's no wonder it's the most commonly used contraceptive. But it also has side effects that we're often not so familiar with. Because we at Guud want you to know your body and what you're putting into it, we'll tell you more about the pill's side effects in this blog post.

• The contraceptive pill is prescribed to prevent pregnancy.
• Doctors also prescribe the pill to women who have menstrual complaints.
• The pill is safe and effective, but most doctors talk very little about the side effects.
• Some women don't even know there are side effects. Time to change that.

Why this blog?

In this blog post, we want to shed some light on the side effects of the pill. We don't want to scare you or tell you not to take it—because it's an incredible invention! It's perhaps one of the biggest and most important inventions in women's health of the last century! But it's important that you know what you're putting into your body and how it affects your overall health and hormones. This way, you can decide for yourself whether the pill is right for you or not.

Who developed the pill?

A history lesson. In the 1950s, chemist Carl Djerassi discovered the birth control pill . Through his experiments in the 1940s, he was able to replicate progestogen from a plant (the Mexican wild yam).

This discovery was further developed and marketed as a means of regulating one's cycle (contraception was still taboo at the time, and sometimes even punishable). It was revolutionary because it gave women freedom of choice. After marriage, they could continue their education or pursue a career. They didn't have to start having children immediately if they didn't want to. The invention of the pill was controversial and criticized, but groundbreaking.

It was therefore no surprise that the pill became increasingly popular. In the 1970s, as women's movements grew, women increasingly wanted to have control over their family planning. A new generation of women postponed their desire to have children to focus on education and careers. It was a real game-changer.

But from questionable testing practices in the early days (testing without women knowing what they were taking, no information about side effects), to recent studies suggesting the pill is responsible for the deaths of three to four hundred women a year, the history of the pill is not all sunshine and roses.

Why do women take contraception?

Many people take the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy. Many well-meaning parents and doctors also recommend that teenagers take the pill before they become sexually active. And that makes sense, because the pill is an effective way to prevent pregnancy.

But the pill is also prescribed for other reasons:

• against heavy or irregular periods
• against severe cramps
• acne, excessive hair growth
• against PCOS and PMS complaints

How does the pill work?

The birth control pill contains artificial hormones that prevent you from ovulating. And without ovulation, you can't get pregnant. There are many types of birth control pills with different hormones.

The base consists of 21 pills in a strip. Some brands include 4 or 7 extra pills. These are placebo pills for the week of withdrawal.

To ensure the pill is effective, you must take it at the same time every day. If you forget (yes, it happens to everyone!), you must use additional contraception for the next 7 days to prevent pregnancy. The pill does not protect against STIs.

Want to learn more about other types of contraception? Read this blog.

What are the side effects of the pill?

The pill is groundbreaking, but not without side effects. Not all women who take the pill experience side effects, and sometimes you don't even notice them anymore (because you've been taking it for so long!). Some women only experience side effects during the first few months.

In any case, it's important to know what can happen in your body when taking the pill. The list of possible side effects is long. After all, hormones are involved, and hormones regulate... well, everything! This is what the pill can cause in terms of side effects:

• depression, bad mood or mood swings
• fatigue
• increased appetite
• headache
• sore breasts
• insomnia and other sleep problems
• weight gain
• bleeding or spotting between periods
• acne or skin changes
• bloating and fluid retention
• nausea and/or vomiting

What about the health risks of the pill?

Most women know they shouldn't smoke while taking the pill. If you smoke or are over 35, you have an increased risk of blood clots. But there are also other health risks that are important to be aware of. These risks are serious, but fortunately, they're not common (so don't panic!).

• blood clots
• high blood pressure
• liver cancer
• gallbladder problems
• heart attacks

Generally, the pill is safe to take long-term; otherwise, doctors wouldn't recommend it. However, there are many conflicting reports about its safety. Some research suggests that the pill can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.Other research shows that the pill reduces the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.

What other options are there?

Are you taking the pill because of menstrual problems? There are other options. The pill relieves your symptoms, but doesn't address the underlying cause.

At Guud Woman, we understand that lifestyle changes are important. They have a significant impact on your menstrual and hormonal health.

That is why we encourage women to first change their lifestyle (diet, exercise) before taking the pill for their complaints.

A natural cycle can tell you a lot about your overall health and has many positive benefits , including:

• better sleep
• fewer mood swings and a better mood
• healthy bones
• better metabolism
• better skin, hair and nails

Want to know how to live according to your cycle? Check out this blog post .

What is Post-Birth Control Syndrome (PBCS)?

Even after taking the pill, you can still experience side effects. While it seems simple—just stop taking the pill—there's more to it than that. You suddenly stop taking hormones your body was used to, and which suppressed your own processes. That's a shock for your body.

The symptoms you experience after stopping the pill have a name: Post-Birth Control Syndrome (PBCS). PBCS is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms that can occur when you stop taking the pill or other hormonal contraceptive. The symptoms vary, but often include:

• hair loss (we wrote a blog post about How to Deal with Hair Loss )
• heavy periods
• absent menstruation
• no desire for sex
• headache
• PMS
• acne
• sore breasts

For many women, symptoms disappear within a few weeks, but others may experience them for months.

Why haven't you heard about it? Good question. Plenty of women talk about their symptoms. But there are no scientific studies to confirm that the syndrome is a medical condition. Fortunately, you can prevent many of these symptoms by choosing a balanced lifestyle.

Haven't quit yet, but are you planning to stop taking the pill? Prepare well to reduce or even prevent symptoms. We'll tell you how in our blog post: Stopping the pill: How to get your body back on track .

Where can I find more information?

Chat with us. If you've spoken with a doctor but are unsure about your options, discuss them with us. We have a team of experts who are happy to help.

Remember: the pill is fantastic and effective, but it's not your only option. We believe it's important that you understand the side effects before starting. Knowledge is empowering, so know your options and make an informed decision about what's right for you and your health.

If you'd like to learn more about the history of the pill and its side effects, we recommend the documentary The Business of Birth Control .