Side Effects and the Pill

I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but being female I know a little bit about birth control and the reproductive system. As a Master Herbalist, I also deal with a lot of side effects and interactions between medications and herbs. This is important information for both your health and your life.

Breakthrough Bleeding: Some pills can cause this problem. It’s usually limited in both time and scope. However, it can also be a sign of other problems. If the flow is heavy and/or lasts more than seven days, it’s time for a trip to the doctor. There are other conditions that can cause this problem.

High Blood Pressure: Hormones play a part in all aspects of our body. Under the right circumstances, some pills can cause a serious elevation of blood pressure. This is something to be taken seriously and dealt with immediately. You may need a different medication to prevent damage.

Leg Pain: Estrogen can create problems in your legs. Varicose veins, twisted, ugly blood filled veins, can appear on your legs. Worse, you may develop a blood clot. It’s called “deep vein thrombosis,” and it can cause serious problems. If you notice pain, redness and swelling in one leg, it’s time to see the doctor. If it is a clot and it breaks free, you could have a heart attack, stroke or other serious outcome.

Migraines: Yes, the pill can cause migraines in those who suffer from the malady. Your doctor may advise you to use another form of birth control to prevent them from recurring.

Numbness: This is a very rare but real reaction to some types of birth control. It is also considered very serious.

Periods: You may find regulation of your period changes when you start taking the pill. This is fairly normal, and sometimes beneficial. If it concerns you, talk to the doctor.

Side effects are common to every medicine and every herb. Knowing what they are can mean something irritating goes away, or it may mean you avoid a life threatening situation.

This information is meant to help you know what to talk to your doctor about. Do not change or stop taking any medication prescribed to you without speaking to your doctor first. If you take other medications or supplements of any kind, make sure the doctor knows. There are many drug/drug and drug/herb interactions with birth control pills.


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