Anxious depression while taking contraceptives. Can birth control cause depression? Temporary complications of oral contraceptives
![Anxious depression while taking contraceptives. Can birth control cause depression? Temporary complications of oral contraceptives](https://i0.wp.com/prokontraceptivi.ru/wp-content/uploads/pobochnye-effekty-ot-priema-ok3.jpg)
From Dr. Mercola
Birth control pills are the most popular form of contraception among women. 16 percent of this population are taking them, and just over 7 percent are using long-term reversible contraceptive methods such as hormonal intrauterine devices or implants.
What these pills, devices, and implants have in common is that they are all forms of hormonal contraception—that is, they contain or release synthetic forms of hormones such as estrogen and progestin (a form of progesterone) that prevent pregnancy in various ways.
The problem is that these sex hormones also affect mood and other biological processes, artificially altering them, which can lead to many unintended consequences in the body - from simply inconvenient to quite serious, including changes in your mental health.
Birth control pills linked to depression
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark analyzed data from more than 1 million women over 14 years. None of the women, who were between 15 and 34 years old, had been diagnosed with diarrhea at the start of the study.
However, the analysis found that women taking hormonal birth control pills had a 40 percent increased risk of developing depression within six months compared to women who did not use the pill. The risk was greatest among adolescents.
Use of hormonal contraceptives was also associated with subsequent use of antidepressants. Some types of hormonal contraception carry various risks. In particular, the reception:
- Pills containing only progesterone increase antidepressant intake by 1.3 times
- Combined birth control pills lead to a 1.2-fold increase
- Transdermal patch increases risk by 2 times
- Vaginal rings increase risk by 1.5 times
Anecdotal reports indicate that hormonal contraceptives affect mood
The study's lead author, Dr. Øyvind Lidegaard, a professor at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, told CNN:
“We have known for decades that the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone influence the mood of many women.
Therefore, it is not surprising that external artificial hormones, acting in the same way and on the same centers as natural hormones, also affect the mood of women and may even be responsible for the development of depression.”
Despite this knowledge, many health professionals are reluctant to acknowledge that the risks associated with hormonal contraception may be prohibitive for some women, especially those with a history of depression.
Although scientific testing has led to some conflicting results, a report published in the Oxford Journal of Medical Cases describes two cases of women with a history of depression - after treatment with hormonal contraceptives (combined oral contraceptive pills, progesterone-only pills, and combined contraceptive vaginal ring) they developed symptoms of depression
Clinical cases describe the development of depressive symptoms after taking hormonal contraceptives
In one case, a 31-year-old woman noted a gradual improvement in her depression symptoms after she stopped using a vaginal ring. However, "a sudden and dramatic deterioration occurred" shortly after she started taking the combined contraceptive pill.
About a month later, she again experienced a worsening of symptoms “almost simultaneously with the start of treatment with the combined contraceptive vaginal ring.”
The researchers note:
"GK[Hormonal contraception] was interrupted again, with subsequent clear improvement in depressive symptoms. Over the next [six] months, the patient's condition remained stable, without depression."
In the second case, a 33-year-old woman developed symptoms of depression shortly after starting a progesterone-only pill. A week after stopping the pills, the symptoms completely disappeared. The researchers conclude:
“Initiation of GC treatment in women diagnosed with depression should be done with caution, as in some cases it can lead to a worsening of depressive symptoms.
In addition, in women with symptoms of depression, attention should be paid to whether they have previously taken GCs, since discontinuation of GCs may be sufficient to treat depression in some cases.”
Hormonal contraceptives linked to glaucoma and other health risks
Women who took oral contraceptives for more than three years were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with glaucoma, a leading cause of vision loss and blindness, according to one study.
The results were so striking that the researchers recommended that women who had taken the pill for three years or more be screened for glaucoma and seen by an ophthalmologist.
It may seem strange that contraceptives can affect vision, but it is important to understand that artificial manipulation of hormones is fraught with consequences for the entire body.
Most birth control pills, patches, vaginal rings, and implants contain a combination of estrogen and progestin hormone derivatives.
They work by mimicking these hormones in the body to trick the reproductive system and cause the following effects:
- Prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg
- Thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg
- Thin the inner lining of the uterus so that the egg (if it can be fertilized) cannot attach to it
But the reproductive system does not exist in isolation. It is connected to all other body systems and therefore hormonal contraception can change much more than your reproductive status.
According to one report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30 percent of women who took the pill, and almost half of women who used other hormonal contraceptive methods, stopped taking them due to “dissatisfaction,” most often caused by their side effects. Potential health risks include:
Cancer: Women taking birth control pills have an increased risk of cervical and breast cancer, and possibly liver cancer. | Thinning bones: Women taking birth control pills have lower bone mineral density (BMD) than women who have never taken oral contraceptives. | Cardiovascular diseases: Taking birth control pills for a long time can increase the formation of plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. |
Deadly blood clots: Birth control pills increase the risk of blood clots and subsequent stroke. | Impaired muscle growth: Taking oral contraceptives may interfere with muscle gains from resistance exercise in women. | Long-term sexual dysfunction: The pill can affect the protein that holds testosterone, leading to long-term sexual dysfunction, including decreased desire and arousal. |
Migraine | Weight gain and mood changes | Yeast Overgrowth and Infections |
Pillskilllibido
About 15 percent of women taking oral contraceptives report decreased libido, likely due to decreased levels of sex hormones, including testosterone. One study also found that women who took oral contraceptives had levels of libido-killing sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) that were seven times higher than women who had never taken the pill.
Although SHBG levels decreased after stopping the pill, they were still three to four times higher than in women not taking oral contraceptives. This suggests that oral contraceptives may kill a woman's libido in the long term. The researchers concluded:
"Long-term consequences for sexual, metabolic and mental health may be due to chronic elevation of SHBG [in women who are taking or have taken oral contraceptives]."
Synthetic hormones in drinking water may increase cancer rates in men
Women are not the only ones exposed to risks associated with synthetic hormones contained in hormonal contraceptives. An analysis of data from 100 countries found that oral contraceptive pill use is associated with prostate cancer, which can be caused by exposure to synthetic estrogens from a woman's body, which ultimately comes down to the drinking water supply.
Although it is claimed that only a small amount of extra estrogen is excreted from the body of women using this type of contraception, this “small amount” is excreted by millions of women, many of whom take the pill for long periods of time.
Additionally, synthetic estrogen and progestin do not break down quickly and are much more difficult to remove using traditional water treatment systems, leading to greater accumulation in the environment.
Although this study does not prove causation—that is, it does not prove that environmental estrogen associated with women's use of contraceptives causes prostate cancer in men—there was a statistically significant association between the two that merits further study, especially in in light of the established role of estrogen in a wide range of cancers and the prevalence of hormonal contraceptives.
Non-hormonal methods of contraception
Women and men who need reversible, non-hormonal contraception may be surprised to learn how many options there are. Doctors of traditional medicine usually refer patients to popular hormonal drugs, but they are far from the only ones.
Barrier methods, the purpose of which is to prevent sperm from entering a woman's egg, include the diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge, and male and female condoms. None of them are 100% guaranteed, so many couples use them in combination with fertility-based methods.
Determining your fertile period means knowing when a woman's fertile period occurs each month and not having sex during (and immediately before) that time, or using a barrier method of contraception if sex does occur.
When used consistently and correctly, determining your fertile period is very effective in preventing pregnancy; With this method, pregnancy is possible in 1-5 women out of 100. A number of methods can be used to track the onset of this period, including monitoring basal body temperature, mucus production, saliva indicators and cervical position.
Many women combine these methods, and there are ovulation monitors on the market that can also be combined with other methods. Ninety-nine percent of U.S. women of reproductive age use at least one method of contraception at some point in their lives, with 88 percent choosing hormonal options.
But you may be glad to know that you don't have to expose yourself to the risks of hormonal contraception or learn to live with the side effects to keep your reproductive health under control. An experienced holistic health professional can help you choose the best non-hormonal contraceptive options that are right for you.
Regardless of the name and timing of oral contraception, any woman may experience side effects from birth control pills, which are either temporary or require immediate discontinuation of the course of treatment. If any adverse reactions occur, a woman should have an idea of the measures that should be taken to minimize the negative impact of hormones on the internal environment. The main side effects of contraceptive drugs, as well as recommendations for discontinuing and replacing tablet contraceptives, will be discussed below.
Temporary complications of oral contraceptives
Considering the nature of the influence of this group of drugs on the female body, side effects from taking OCs that are temporary in nature are often encountered. Such symptoms characterize the process of adaptation of the female body to the supply of hormones from the outside. As the course of therapy with contraceptive tablets progresses, the woman’s body gets used to the new conditions and ceases to react sharply to this circumstance.
Bloody discharge from the genital tract
While taking this group of medications, intermenstrual bleeding from the genital tract often appears. The reason for this is the body’s adaptation to the supply of hormonal compounds from the outside. For at least 40% of women who started taking tablet oral contraceptives, the adaptation period ranges from 1.5 to 3 months. In some situations, the adaptation period can last up to six months.
Epigastric pain, vomiting and nausea
This symptom complex refers to the side effects of estrogen hormones on a woman’s body. In most women, dyspepsia disappears spontaneously after finishing the first package of contraceptive tablets. If a woman has daily stomach pain while taking hormonal birth control pills, she may be prescribed a drug with less estrogen.
Breast tenderness and tenderness
This symptom appears within 4-6 months from the start of taking hormonal contraceptives. Usually, this side effect disappears on its own without outside intervention. If such complications after taking tableted hormonal drugs do not disappear on their own, then women are prescribed the use of Progestogel gel, which should be applied to the surface of the breast in accordance with the instructions.
Psycho-emotional lability
The progestin component included in combined oral contraceptives affects the metabolism of the amino acid tryptophan, as a result of which the woman experiences symptoms such as irritability, depression, tearfulness, and apathy. These symptoms manifest themselves especially clearly in women with a delicate nervous constitution.
In 70% of cases, signs of psycho-emotional instability disappear on their own within 3 months. In rare cases, a course of treatment with B vitamins is prescribed to maintain the emotional state.
Skeletal muscle pain
The consequences of taking hormonal contraceptive pills for women can be quite unpredictable. Estrogens contained in combined contraceptives increase the calcium content in the blood plasma, which leads to muscle pain, as well as pain in the joints.
Hair loss
Another equally common side effect of taking oral contraceptives is slight hair loss caused by hormonal changes. If a woman loses hair in an insignificant amount during the first 3 months after starting a course of hormonal therapy, then the situation does not require any intervention, and this process is restored on its own after adaptation is completed. If there is significant hair loss throughout the entire growth zone, the woman is advised to consult her doctor to change the drug.
Weight gain
This side effect after taking contraceptives in tablet form may occur due to hormonal changes, accompanied by endocrine disorders, increased appetite, and retention of excess interstitial fluid in the body.
Side effects requiring a change in contraceptives
Side effects of hormonal contraceptives often occur, requiring an immediate change in the name of the tablet product or adjustment of the dosage of the active components. These side effects include:
- Spotting or heavy bloody discharge from the genital tract that bothers a woman for more than 3 months from the start of taking the drug.
- Recurrent course of thrush.
- Frequent episodes of headaches that negatively affect quality of life and performance.
- Severe peripheral edema.
- Excessive hair loss.
- Dryness of the vaginal mucosa and to a minimum.
When is it necessary to urgently stop taking birth control pills?
Despite the controversial harm of hormonal pill contraceptives, some women may develop conditions that require immediate discontinuation of the contraceptive. These conditions include:
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In addition, taking this group of medications must be stopped 3 months before trying to get pregnant, and 6 weeks before major surgery. If serious disorders of the functional state of the liver are diagnosed, taking hormonal drugs can be postponed indefinitely.
Absolute contraindications to oral contraceptives
The supply of hormones from outside may not always be appropriate for the body. There are such contraindications for taking hormonal birth control pills that are not recommended to be ignored for personal safety reasons:
- High risk of developing arterial and venous thrombosis, as well as previous myocardial infarction.
- , especially at age, older.
- Diabetes mellitus, which is accompanied by vascular complications.
- Severe functional disorders in the liver and kidneys.
- Severe pancreatitis.
- Previously diagnosed hormone-dependent tumor or suspicion of its formation.
- Pregnancy is in question.
- Individual intolerance to one of the components of the tablet product.
- Migraine with local neurological manifestations.
- Attacks of angina.
If one of the contraindications is ignored, a woman may experience side effects from contraceptives.
Selection rules and precautions
The degree of effectiveness, as well as the level of risk of any complications, directly depends on how much the contraceptive pill was taken. When choosing this group of medications, it is recommended to pay attention to the following criteria:
- The severity of premenstrual syndrome.
- Woman's age.
- Previously diagnosed diseases of the reproductive system, including fibroids and cysts.
- A history of an infectious-inflammatory process in the organs of the reproductive system.
- The presence and number of pregnancies, as well as abortions in the gynecological history.
- Intensity of menstrual flow.
In addition, in order to minimize the risk of adverse reactions, when selecting a medication, the patient must undergo a laboratory test for oncocytology, perform an ultrasound examination of the mammary glands and pelvic organs, and also perform a general clinical and biochemical blood test.
In the absence of complaints and any serious changes in the results of the study, patients are prescribed. In all other cases, medications are selected individually by the attending gynecologist. In order to avoid an overdose of oral contraceptives, it is strictly forbidden to independently select the dosage and frequency of taking medications.
Alternative methods of contraception
If it is impossible to use various methods of contraception for one reason or another, to protect against unplanned conception, women may be offered the following alternative methods of protection:
![](https://i0.wp.com/prokontraceptivi.ru/wp-content/uploads/pobochnye-effekty-ot-priema-ok5.jpg)
For each of the listed methods there are separate contraindications, which must be familiarized with before starting to use one of the contraceptives.
Doctors' opinions and reviews
Before you start using tablet methods of protection against the onset of unplanned pregnancy, it is recommended to evaluate the ratio of benefits and potential harm that can be caused by the regular intake of hormones into a woman’s body from the outside. Modern names of birth control pills are distinguished by an increased level of safety, therefore, in 70% of cases, side effects while taking them are associated with a violation of the dosage regimen and the frequency of taking medications. In order to avoid negative effects on the body, it is recommended to consult your gynecologist in order to select the necessary contraceptive.
Already 3 weeks after starting to take COCs, I experienced daily headaches and periodic swelling in the legs. These symptoms did not leave me 3 months after starting the course of treatment, so together with the attending physician, it was decided to stop using tablet contraceptives.
Svetlana, 29 years old.
Very often I heard negative reviews from women I know about birth control pills, but having tried it myself, I did not feel any changes in my general condition. At this stage in my life, this method of contraception suits me best.
Natalya, 27 years old.
In families where regular sex life is the norm, partners often choose a reliable and convenient option as a means of contraception - taking hormonal oral contraceptives. But birth control pills have more than just benefits. Side effects of oral contraceptives can significantly worsen your health.
Are you taking COCs? OK or not OK?
One of the forms of hormonal contraception is combinedoral contraceptives. These drugs are based on the action of two sex hormones at once - estrogen and progestin (gestagen), which control the most important periods in a woman’s life. At a certain concentration, girls begin puberty, ovulation occurs - the body prepares for pregnancy, and, finally, pregnancy itself. These same hormones can be made to work in reverse, preventing unwanted pregnancies.
The principle of action of hormonal contraceptives COCs includes a number of effects. Tablets containing estrogen and gestagen, when taken correctly and in dosage, guarantee:
- . The egg does not mature or enters the fallopian tube defective and incapable of conception.
- Thickening of mucus in the cervical canal of the uterus. This makes it difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
- Decreased sperm activity, for which an excess of these hormones is harmful.
- Thinning of the uterine lininginto which the egg is implanted during a normal pregnancy. An insufficiently thick layer of the endometrium will in any case lead to the death of the egg, even if it is miraculously fertilized.
If there are no contraindications and the rules described in the manufacturer’s instructions are followed, taking birth control pills protects against unwanted pregnancy by almost 100%. If side effects, violations of intake, or neglect of contraindications occur, the result can be reduced by 50%.
Why oral contraceptives are not suitable for everyone
First, you need to understand what is going on in the female body, namely the hormonal background. Each woman has her own and depends on many factors. The concentration of hormones is influenced by: age, weight, number of pregnancies, abortions and births, the presence of chronic diseases associated with the thyroid and pancreas, pituitary gland and adrenal glands, regularity of intimate relationships and other factors.
Therefore, each patient needs its own composition. which is almost impossible to implement in practice. Of course, there are average standards - they are used as the basis for different drugs. Combined contraceptives may contain different hormone components, their weight and concentration vary.
For example, the mini-pill contains only progestin. The first generations of combined tablets contain large dosages of both types of hormones. If you assign such a “bouquet” to a young, nulliparous, fragile girl, thenside effects of oral contraceptives are guaranteed. And for a 30-year-old woman, this composition can be of great benefit, protecting her from pregnancy and disorders and tumors caused by hormonal imbalances.
To choose the right hormonal contraceptives, It’s not enough to know the composition of contraceptives. The instructions will only tell youabout contraindications and warns about side effects without giving recommendations for use. Choosing the right contraceptive drug can , and even then, having received the results .
Side effects when taking a hormonal drug: dangerous and safe contraception
Many women are afraid to take such medications, having read horror stories about the side effects. But before drawing conclusions, you need to understand what the concept of “side effect” means and what can be expected if any are described in the instructions for the drug.
The first thing you need to know is that side effects are described for any medicine, but their mention does not mean that such effects occur in absolutely everyone who starts taking the pills. And even if they exist, they are not in the full spectrum. Statistics show that side effects really bother no more than 10% of patients. And again, each person has no more than 1-2 types of violations.
Side effects of oral contraceptives can again be absolutely safe or, on the contrary, lead to serious changes in the body. All side effects are divided into:
- Short-term- such problems are inevitable, they are associated with addiction to a hormonal drug. This may include: breast swelling, nausea, etc. In just a couple of weeks, not a trace remains of them.
- Warning- you need to pay attention to them. These are any, even the mildest, side effects that do not go away within 2 months, bleeding between critical days, abdominal pain, changes in the shape and volume of the abdomen, significant changes in weight and sexual behavior. With such symptoms you need to go to a gynecologist.
- Dangerous- require abandonment of this method of contraception. This includes all types of severe complications associated with changes in the composition and properties of the blood, for example, increased sugar, sudden changes in blood pressure, deterioration of vision, poor health, etc., affecting a woman’s life.
Usually, if contraception is prescribed by a doctor, only short-term side effects occur, because the gynecologist takes into account and clarifies all possible contraindications in advance. When you take hormonal medications on your own, you can expect anything, so you need to monitor your health especially carefully.
Mild side effects of birth control pills due to addiction
Oral contraceptives may cause mild discomfort:
- Nausea, abdominal cramping, diarrhea– these symptoms disappear after about a month, with the start of the second cycle of taking birth control pills. If symptoms persist, this indicates that hormone levels are too high and other medications are needed. To easily survive the adaptation period, take a tablet from the blister at night - by the morning everything in the body will settle down.
- Breast engorgement– mild symptoms may appear and increased sensitivity. A cotton support bra will reduce discomfort. If engorgement manifests itself unevenly, enlargement of individual lobes, pellets are felt, discharge from the nipples is observed, or swelling of the breast lasts throughout the entire cycle, you should urgently consult a gynecologist and have an ultrasound of the mammary glands.
- . Associated with changing the cycle and bringing it back to normal. Within a couple of months, menstruation should begin every day.
- between periods– Light spotting that quickly disappears is considered normal. Discharge of an unusual color, foamy or lasting more than 3 days is a signal that you should immediately consult a doctor.
- Mood swings– Oral contraceptives may worsen existing depression. Normally, this process should not exceed the normal period of PMS. If moodiness, depressed mood, etc. last longer than a week, most likely these hormonal medications will have to be replaced.
- Discomfort from lenses– some women need to pay special attention to this symptom. This is not a reason to change pills, as this will not work. You will either have to get used to it, or replace the lenses with glasses, or give up oral hormones in favor of installing an intrauterine device.
- Increased skin oiliness, acne. These are temporary troubles; they go away on their own after a couple of months.
- Libido changes. The effect is also temporary.
- Vaginal dryness. This disorder can be not only a side effect, but a symptom of thrush, etc. , therefore, it is better to visit a gynecologist and take a smear to check the cleanliness of the vagina.
If the side effects cause significant discomfort, you should think about to another contraception.
Side effects that should alert you
The following side effects should not be ignored in any case:
- , bleeding, spotting, recurring after 2 cycles of taking the pills.
- Headache that does not go away on its own without analgesics.
- Primary or .
- Swelling of the legs, faces, indicating metabolic and kidney problems.
- Permanent decrease in libido.
- Hair loss.
These symptoms indicate an excess of sex hormones, so these pills need to be replaced.
When are birth control pills contraindicated?
Upon appointment , the gynecologist must take into account contraindications. Since hormones regulate many processes in the body, taking oral contraceptives may strengthen or weaken some of them.
In this case, the following may occur:
- Acute chest pain.
- Dyspnea.
- High blood pressure (BP).
- Blood clots.
- Depression.
- Headache - migraine.
- Itching of the skin, genitals.
- Hearing and vision impairments.
At risk are women approaching the age of forty, smokers, and those suffering from chronic diseases of the kidneys, liver, and thyroid gland. Long-term use of COCs without replacement can also cause health problems.
What can replace oral contraceptives?
If regular contraception is necessary, the gynecologist will suggest placing an intrauterine device. Before installing it, you will also have to undergo an examination - you will need to and undergo a pelvic ultrasound. performed by a gynecologist also on the basis of tests. This using the most modern radiomethod without pain and complications or undergo other procedures.
The cost of visiting a gynecologist is 1000 rubles. Comprehensive pelvic ultrasound - 1000 rubles. Appointment based on the results of tests taken at the clinic - 500 rubles.
Side effects are the other side of the coin of any drug. Birth control pills also have their own characteristic side effects, as evidenced by the voluminous instructions for use. There is no need to be afraid of side effects! It is important to understand why they arise and what measures a woman should take in a given situation. We will look into this issue together with our wonderful consultant, Evgenia Konkova.
Side effects of birth control pills can be divided into the following groups:
Side effects that go away as you get used to the drug:
1. Nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain
Estrogen-dependent side effects that usually go away by the time you start taking the second pack of birth control pills. In such a situation, it is recommended to take the drug at night (not on an empty stomach), which will make it easier to endure the period of addiction or switch to a drug with a lower dose of estrogen.
3. Engorgement, tenderness of the mammary glands
An estrogen-dependent side effect observed in the first 3-6 months of taking any birth control pills. Goes away on its own, no treatment required. Sometimes your doctor may recommend applying Progestogel gel to the breast area.
4. Changes in mood (tearfulness, depression, irritability)
The progestin component of birth control pills changes the metabolism of tryptophan* in the body. In this regard, emotional, hypersensitive representatives of the fair sex during the adaptation period may experience a desire to cry, or, conversely, attacks of aggression and irritability.
* Tryptophan is an amino acid that is used by the brain along with vitamin B6, niacin and magnesium to produce serotonin (the feel-good hormone).
If after the adaptation period (about 3 months) the mood does not level out, then this is a reason to consult a doctor and choose birth control pills with a different gestagen in the composition. If replacing the drug is not desirable due to loss of the therapeutic effect, then additional intake of vitamin B6 is necessary.
But sometimes it is difficult to determine the true causes of depression. These difficulties are due to the fact that, in our stressful time, a woman may be in a state of “hidden, asymptomatic depression” even before the prescription of hormonal drugs. Thus, with the start of taking contraceptives (especially when the instructions for them indicate that depression and mood disorders may be possible side effects), the course of an existing disease worsens. Consequently, we are dealing with a psychological factor that provokes the manifestation of symptoms of depression that are not associated with hormonal changes.
5. Minor hair loss
This side effect is caused by hormonal changes that occur in the body of a woman taking birth control pills. Sometimes diffuse (even throughout the head) hair loss may occur. Minor hair loss should not be a cause for concern. Without stopping taking OCs, you should consult a doctor to rule out the most common causes of hair loss: iron deficiency in the body, zinc deficiency, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, diseases of the nervous system.
ATTENTION!!!
If hair falls out in large quantities, you need to consult a doctor and decide on replacing the drug. In such a situation, it is usually recommended to switch to birth control pills with an antiandrogenic effect.
6. Headache
If this side effect occurs, watchful waiting is recommended. If headaches do not go away after the adaptation period (3-4 months), but on the contrary intensify and significantly worsen the quality of life, you need to consult a doctor and choose a drug with a different progestogen.
7. Acne (pimples), oily skin
In the first months of taking birth control pills with an antiandrogenic (therapeutic and cosmetic) effect, deterioration of the skin condition and acne may occur. In this case, you need to be patient and wait for the adaptation period to complete. After 3-4 months, the antiandrogenic drug will “teach” the body to work correctly and the skin will clear. However, recent studies have shown that birth control pills do not have the expected effect regarding hirsutism (excessive hair growth).
8. Pain in the leg muscles
Estrogens contained in birth control pills increase the concentration of Ca2+ in the blood plasma. A temporary change in the metabolism of minerals in the blood can cause pain in the muscles and joints of the legs. Women describe these pains as “aching, chewing, twisting.” Usually by the end of the second package the pain disappears. You can help yourself survive this temporary side effect by massaging your calf muscles with warming ointments.
There are also certain conditions associated with taking contraceptives that are not pathological and do not require discontinuation/replacement of the drug, but they are considered to be side effects:
Amenorrhea (lack of menstruation)
The absence of a menstrual-like reaction during the seven-day break between packs can occur while taking any contraceptive pills, but most often this phenomenon is observed when taking drugs containing dienogest. This progestogen reduces the proliferation (growth and thickening) of the endometrium, preventing it from growing thick enough for heavy menstruation.
That is why menstruation while taking birth control pills is less abundant, and in some cycles may be completely absent, which is a variant of the norm. If all the tablets from the package were taken without skipping, and the pregnancy test during the seven-day break was negative, then the woman should calmly continue taking the drug further according to the regimen.
Weight gain
Detailed information about this unpleasant side effect can be found in the article "".
Side effects requiring drug replacement:
If the following side effects occur, you should definitely contact your gynecologist and decide whether to replace the drug:
- Bloody discharge (bruising) or breakthrough bleeding that continues after the end of the adaptation period, i.e. after 3-4 months of use.
- Frequent headaches that sharply worsen the quality of life and require constant use of painkillers.
- Recurrent vaginal candidiasis (thrush), which appeared for the first time precisely with the start of taking birth control pills and stubbornly does not respond to traditional treatment with antifungal drugs.
- Fluid retention in the body (severe edema).
- A sharp decrease in libido (sexual desire) and dryness of the vaginal mucosa.
- Severe hair loss.
Side effects requiring immediate discontinuation of the drug:
If the following side effects occur, you should stop taking the drug, immediately consult a doctor and conduct additional examination.
- Acute pain, a feeling of squeezing or heaviness in the chest; difficulty or rapid breathing; sudden shortness of breath.
- Sudden, severe headache for no apparent reason; fainting.
- Significant increase in blood pressure.
- Sudden changes in vision, hearing, or speech.
- Severe forms of depression.
- The occurrence of constant skin itching.
Also, taking birth control pills must be stopped 3 months before the planned pregnancy, and approximately 6 weeks before the planned surgical intervention, with prolonged immobilization.
If liver dysfunction occurs, temporary discontinuation of the drug may be required until laboratory parameters normalize.
- See also
ATTENTION!!!
In conclusion, the most important thing is that you should always adequately evaluate the benefits of taking birth control pills and the potential risk of harm to health. Many years of experience show that with patience, you can choose the only drug that will be ideal.
Eh, girls! Nature has given many kinds of pleasures that are beyond the understanding of men. What were you thinking? And I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about depression. More often than not, we ladies suffer from this issue. Even if we take depression in endogenous mood disorders, it is found in women in 21.3% of cases, and in men in only 12.7%. And women take 80% of seasonal depression. So, our lot as women is hard, but why? Here's why.
I’ll make a small but important pirouette away from the story - I’ll say a few words about why depression actually happens. According to science, at this time it’s all about disrupting the transmission of information between nerve cells. Everyone, of course, knows that information travels through nervous tissue in the form of impulses. However, the nervous system is not a continuous cable through which impulses can travel in different directions. These are, as it were, interconnected mini electrical systems with a central neuron generator. So, no matter how close the cells and their wiring processes are pressed to each other, there will still be a gap through which the electrical impulse cannot jump. What should I do? How to pass the information on? Then Mother Nature came to her senses and created chemical substances - mediators. It is they who are sent through the gap between neurons (synaptic cleft) in a specially designated place (synapse) to transmit information further along the chain of neurons. After they have fulfilled their function, the substances are destroyed by an enzyme specially allocated for this purpose. Everything is basically the same as when sending a regular letter. It happens at the post office (at the synapse). The letter was written (synthesis of the transmitter) - sent (thrown into the slot) - received and read (the transmitter reached another neuron) - and torn into small pieces after reading so that the paper did not accumulate (destruction by the enzyme). With depression, for various reasons, our mail (synapse) does not work correctly. Either he doesn’t want to write a letter, then he doesn’t want to send it, then he tears it up without reaching the addressee. So the hormones, the content of which we differ from men, my friends, greatly influence the work of the post office. They can speed it up or slow it down.
. Over the course of a month, a woman’s postal work circumstances change several times. In the first half of the cycle, work is in full swing from estrogen, all letters are sent immediately and are not delayed, but in the second half, under the influence of gestagens, everything begins to slow down. If the mail works normally from the very beginning, then there are mechanisms that turn on so that this estrogen-gestagen disgrace does not interfere. That is, everything goes on as usual. But if something is wrong at the post office or, let’s say, that for some reason there are more gestagens that slow down the work than estrogens, then problems already arise that the woman feels in the form of PMS.
But our life is full of all sorts of difficulties. The woman began to take additional doses of hormones in the form of oral contraceptives. Of course, at first glance it seems that everything will go with a bang, estrogens and gestagens are balanced. BUT. We are all unique. And the hormones added to the furnace of our body do not always have the right effect on the brain, causing a disruption in the functioning of our mail. If there is more estrogen than the brain expected, everything would seem to go smoothly and quickly. But not everything that is fast is good. The post office does not always cope with such brilliant work. Therefore, women with excess estrogen are more susceptible to stress disorders. If the gestagen is too strong, it will begin to slow down everything in the post office, and depression will develop.
Now let's get serious. It does not follow from the above that contraceptives cannot be taken just because they disrupt brain function. There are indications and contraindications for these drugs, which your gynecologist will deal with, and he will tell you about all the pros and cons of taking the drug. I look at this problem from my own bell tower, but I will not climb into the gynecological bell tower, in order to avoid falling. We will look at the situation specifically with depression and the question of how to avoid it.
First, you need to find out whether there is a possibility that your mail is not doing its job very well. To do this, remember whether you have mood swings for no reason, whether you have seasonal depression, whether you had relatives suffering from depressive disorders, or whether you had postpartum depression. Despite the fact that PMS is an indication for treatment with contraceptives, it is also a risk factor for depression while taking medications.
Secondly, if you find some of the same things from point 1, it just means that you need to ask your doctor to recommend a drug with a higher content of estrogens than gestagens.
Thirdly, when choosing a drug, make sure that norethylsterone is not included as a gestagenic component. In terms of depression, it is the most harmful.
Fourthly, despite all precautions, depression can still develop. Here it is up to you to decide whether to continue hormonal contraception or not. You can, of course, take contraceptives and antidepressants. Perhaps this will be a way out for the brain, but do not forget that you still have many other organs inside. For example, the liver may not appreciate this cocktail.
Fifthly, the brain can be helped to, so to speak, improve the production of letters. I mean a diet containing substances necessary for the synthesis of mediators. You need to consume foods containing tryptophan. This is red wine, mature cheeses, spinach, beans, all types of root vegetables.
So take advantage.