What are Common Side Effects of Birth Control?

If you’re considering starting a new method of birth control, one of the things you’re probably wondering is what the side effects are for that method. That’s a great question! The providers at your nearest The Right Time health center can answer any questions you have about any method of birth control — but here’s a bit of info about the basics.

• Spotting. Spotting, or 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, and/or a change in sex drive. These effects are possible with most of the hormonal methods, though lots of people don’t experience any of them.

However, we can’t forget about the side effects that people really like! These include:

• Help with heavy or painful periods.
• Help with acne.
• Help with ovarian cysts.
• Reduced risk of ovarian cancer. 

Remember that everyone’s body is different, and everyone’s body responds to birth control differently. If it turns out you do not like the side effects of your chosen method, it is completely okay to try a different method! The providers at your nearest The Right Time health center can help you with that, and they can also give you a better idea about how long the above common side effects last.