What are the side effects of the Progestin-only Pill?
Side effects are not signs of illness, and most of them will usually decrease or disappear within the first few months of using the pill. While they may be common, some women do not experience them at all. The commonly reported side effects of the pill include:
– changes in the users’ bleeding patterns including irregular, infrequent, frequent, and prolonged bleeding, or no bleeding at all (breastfeeding mothers may experience a delayed return of their periods because breastfeeding will usually affect your bleeding patterns);
– headaches;
– dizziness;
– abdominal pain;
– sore breasts;
– mood changes; and
– nausea (to help avoid nausea, take pills with food or at bedtime).
Women who are not breastfeeding may develop enlarged ovarian follicles [8].
Risks
Compared to the combined oral contraceptive, it is slightly less effective in preventing pregnancy. This is because it does not prevent ovulation better than estrogen-containing pills.
If you fall pregnant while taking the progestin-only pill, there is a small risk that it might be an ectopic pregnancy. However, ectopic pregnancy is far less likely to occur when taking the progestin-only pill than when not using any method of modern contraceptive.
If, after three months, you feel the side effects are more than you can accept, switch methods, and stay protected. Condoms offer good protection while you find a method that suits your needs. Remember, the progestin-only pill does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.
Can Progestin-only Birth control pills cause acne?
While progestin does not cause acne, it is one of the contributing factors. Progestin increases sebum(a sticky and oily substance produced by skin production). Excess sebum on the skin may block the pores and provide the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. This condition causes the skin to break out. This type of acne is known as hormonal acne. Suppose you get acne while on the Progestin-only pill, discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider. If this side effect is more than you can bear, you can always consider switching to a different contraceptive method.
Is there a relationship between Progestin-only pills and cancer?
A recent study conducted by PLOS medicine journal indicates that using the Progestin-only Pill predisposes someone to a small risk of breast cancer, similar to the risk found in combined contraceptive pills. However, this risk is higher in women of older age but will often go away within a few years after stopping usage. On a positive note, the same pills protect women from other female cancers like cancer of the uterus and ovarian cancer. If you are considering using the Progestin-only pill as your contraception, you should discuss all the pros and cons with your healthcare provider.
Should I be worried about Progestin-only Birth control Pills causing spotting?
Spotting or bleeding in between periods is a common side effect of the Progestin-only birth control pill, especially if you have started using the pills in the last two months. It happens as your body is getting used to the new method. Bleeding in between periods is caused by fluctuating hormones. In a typical cycle, the progesterone and estrogen hormones found naturally in a woman’s body help to build and sustain the uterine lining in preparation for pregnancy. The introduction of progestin to the uterus upsets that balance. This may cause on-and-off bleeding or spotting.
For most users, it will take a few months for the body to get used to the method and resume its normal cycle. If the spotting does not subside and you are still interested in estrogen-free contraceptives, you can discuss other Progestin-only options like implants or injectables with your healthcare provider.
