Birth Control

Do I have to do anything special while I'm taking birth control pills?
You need to visit with your health professional 2 to 6 months after you start the Pill. He or she will check your blood pressure to make sure it isn't getting too high. Your health professional will also want find out if you're having any side effects from the Pill.

Who shouldn't use birth control pills?
Some girls shouldn't use birth control pills. If you have any of the following, you should never use birth control pills:

• blood clots
• liver disease
• breast cancer
• bleeding from your uterus that is not your period
• coronary artery disease
• stroke

If you have any of the following conditions, you probably shouldn't use birth control pills:

• high blood pressure
• gall bladder disease
• diabetes
• migraine headaches
• seizures
• sickle-cell anemia

If you smoke, you probably shouldn't use birth control pills. Smoking increases your chances of having serious complications from the Pill. If you want to use the Pill, you should be a nonsmoker.

What are the risks of birth control pills?
Most methods of birth control carry some risks, even if you're healthy. Taking birth control pills may increase the chances that you'll get one of the following:

• heart attack
• high blood pressure
• liver tumors
• gall bladder disease
• breast cancer
  

What are the side effects of birth control pills?
Birth control pills have many side effects. One of the most common side effects is breakthrough bleeding. This is light bleeding or spotting that happens between periods. Many girls have breakthrough bleeding in the first 3 months on the pill. Most of the time, it goes away on its own. Breakthrough bleeding that lasts for more than 3 months probably won't go away on its own. Changing to a different type of birth control pill often solves the problem. Other side effects include:

• nausea
• headaches
• high blood pressure
• weight gain or loss, but just a pound or two
• breast tenderness
• decreased or missed periods
• less vaginal discharge
• acne
• depression or mood changes

If you have any of these side effects, you should tell your health professional. Just switching to a different pill often solves the problem.

Do birth control pills prevent sexually transmitted diseases?
No. Birth control pills don't prevent sexually transmitted diseases. You must use condoms to avoid getting a sexually transmitted disease.

How do I know if birth control pills are right for me?
Birth control pills are an excellent form of birth control because they work so well and are very easy to use. You can decide if birth control pills are right for you by talking with your health professional. Together you can make sure that you have no health problems that would prevent you from using them.