Despite the extensive list of side effects, the pill is prescribed to 90% of womxn who opt for hormonal contraception. The risk of side effects are low and the majority of women who are prescribed the pill get on fine, but what should you do when the side effects affect you?
The worries womxn have about their contraceptive pill has only risen during the pandemic, with trends on ‘Dr Google’ proving so.
Manal Elmarzak is a 21-year-old student who recently decided to leave the pill behind her after being on the pill for four years. Elmarzak was prescribed this form of contraception by her doctor to curb her heavy periods and acne. Elmarzak says, “I was 17 or 18 when I started taking the pill, because I had severely bad period pains and I had a rough teenhood because of it.”
Many other womxn are prescribed the pill for the same reasons: irregular or absent menstrual periods, PMS (premenstrual symptoms) such as heavy cramps and mood swings, and hormonal disorders like Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
The most common side effects of the pill are mood swings, depression, irregular bleeding in the first three months, headaches, nausea, acne, breast pain and low libido.
Gemma Fromage is a prescribing pharmacist who has a wealth of experience in giving advice to womxn when it comes to the contraceptive pill. Gemma received her masters in Pharmacy in 2006 and now works as an aesthetic pharmacist.
“For the correctly selected patient the Oral Contraceptive Pill is hugely beneficial,” says Fromage. The pill does work for many womxn, including 23-year-old Jessica Janes who swears by her little pill. Janes says, “I have not had any side effects that some girls say they have.”
“However, for poorly selected patients they do have many side effects,” says Fromage.
One of these “poorly selected patients” happened to be Elmarzak who says, “I was aware of the side effects, but I had been told that it's a very small percentage of people who experience them. Now I don’t know one woman who hasn’t experienced at least one side effect.”
Elmarzak was on a combined pill; one of the most commonly prescribed contraceptives in the UK. Combined pills contain artificial versions of the female hormones progesterone and oestrogen, which prevent the body from ovulating and change the lining of the womb to prevent an egg from implantation.
“If there are no contraindications then the first line choice will be given, which in most areas is Rigevidon,” says Fromage.
Whilst on the pill Elmarzak experienced, “weight gain, mood swings, spotting in between periods and an increase in anxiety.”
“There are so many [contraceptive pills] on the market and GPs give the 1st line choice. Generally it’s only if the patients come back complaining of side effects that alternatives get given. Many don’t realise they have quite so many options,” Fromage told me.
You should not suffer in silence if you are experiencing adverse side effects when taking the contraceptive pill. There are many other options such as a different brand of pill or an IUD (an intrauterine device also known as the coil), the injection, the patch and the implant.
Gemma says, “In a perfect world more tests would be done, as they would for prescribing of all medications and testing of all conditions. However, I would imagine the lack of this will be due to lack of time, resources and funding.”
If no form of contraception is working for you there are also natural ways to relieve symptoms of hormonal disorders, PMS and non-hormonal contraceptives to prevent pregnancy.
Non-hormonal contraceptives include condoms, the copper IUD, cervical cap and diaphragm. Although high risk, tracking your fertility the withdrawal method (which is 96% effective if carried out properly) can help in preventing pregnancy.
She Her Them Magazine are not medical professionals, please consult your doctor if you have any issues or concerns.