Birth control side effects: The good, the bad, and the temporary

We’re not gonna lie—birth control can come with side effects, and sometimes those side effects can suck. But we can think of (at least) three reasons why this shouldn’t get you down or make you give up finding a birth control option that will work for you.

1) Different strokes for different folks

Everyone’s body is unique, and a method that doesn’t work for one person might be perfect for another.

One person’s plus may be another person’s minus. Take periods, for example: Some people love not having a period, others find it weird. The bottom line? Think about what’s important to you and explore birth control options that fit your priorities until you find the right match. A health care provider can also help you figure this out.

2) Positive side effects

Not all side effects from birth control are bad. In fact, lots of people use hormonal birth control for reasons other than pregnancy prevention. For example, some methods of birth control can:

• help with heavy or painful periods,

• help with acne,

• prevent ovarian cysts, or

• lower the risk of ovarian cancer.

3) Time is on your side

Many side effects associated with birth control are temporary and can decrease—or go away all together—as your body adjusts to a new method. So if you recently started a new method and are noticing changes you don’t like, talk to your provider to find out if it’s worth hanging in there for a little bit to see if things get better. And remember, if a method just isn’t working for you, don’t settle—try something else!

What are the most common side effects from birth control?

Every method is different, and every body is different. Lots of people don’t experience any side effects at all. For those who do, these are some of the most common:

• Spotting: Bleeding between periods is pretty common when you start using the shot, the implant, the hormonal IUD, or the mini-pill. There’s a good chance it’ll stop after a few months and your period might even go away altogether. Here’s a little more information about why spotting happens and what you can do about it.

• Headache, nausea, sore breasts, or changes in sex drive: These effects are possible with most hormonal methods, though lots of people don’t experience them at all.

Some people also connect weight gain or depression to their birth control. This is actually something that’s been researched over many years, and the results of those studies hasn’t shown a clear link between birth control and weight gain, with one exception. Research has found a connection between weight gain and using the shot for some people. Same for depression: based on studies of lots of people using hormonal birth control, mood changes like depression are rare, and for some people hormonal birth control can actually be helpful for mood changes related to your period. So overall, there isn’t a clear relationship between hormonal birth control and either weight gain or depression. Still, you know your body best, so if you feel like your birth control method is having a negative effect, don’t suffer in silence. Talk to your provider about trying a different method.

An important note about hormones in birth control

Keep in mind that not all hormonal birth control is the same—there can be big differences between methods that contain both progestin and estrogen and those that contain only progestin. If you’re concerned about certain side effects or health risks, a health care provider can help you figure out which methods are least likely to cause those issues.

Just because you had a bad experience with one method, that doesn’t mean a different method won’t work for you, or that someone else’s experience will be the same as yours. When it comes to finding a birth control method that works for you, be patient with yourself and keep going to ‘til you find the one—you deserve it!