Side effects you may experience while using a hormonal birth control are:
- Nausea.
- Bloating.
- Changes in appetite and moods.
- Headaches.
- Breast tenderness.
- Spotting.
- Skin irritation (when using the contraceptive patch).
If the side effects last longer than 3 cycles or worry you, call your doctor or the Sexual Health Clinic.
Contact your doctor or go to your local Emergency Room if you experience any of these symptoms:
A – Abdominal Pain
C – Chest pain (shortness of breath)
H – Headaches (severe)
E – Eye Problems (blurred or loss of vision)
S – Severe Leg Pain.
Do NOT ignore these problems.
Hormonal birth control and STIs
The hormonal birth control protects against pregnancy, not STIs or HIV/AIDS. It is best to always use a condom when having sex even if you are using birth control. Free condoms are available through the Northwestern Health Unit.