Many women will go on the pill at some point in their lives. The pill is a hormonal contraceptive that is designed to regulate a woman's menstrual cycle and to prevent either ovulation or conception. The pill has been around for many years, and is generally considered safe for use by most woman who are menstruating. However, as with any medication, there are some side effects that users should be made aware of by their doctors.
If you go on the pill, you'll find that it comes with a leaflet explaining the potential side effects of the pill. However note that medical companies are legally required to provide information about every single potential side effect they know of. Some of these side effects may be extremely rare, and may have only been experienced by a select few. Bear in mind that these side effects may not be due solely to the pill, but to a combination of the pill and other lifestyle factors.
The pill side effects that many women will experience tend to be quite mild. They may include things such as breast swelling, and fluid retention. While some women will notice that their breasts are tender and slightly enlarged after going on the pill, and others that their ankles are slightly puffier, these amounts are usually very minimal in nature. Many women will not even experience these side effects at all.
Some women with a history of epilepsy or migraine may experience side effects from the pill. However, for these women the pill side effects are always explained by their doctor. Doctors will always ask a woman whether she has a history of any sort of neurological disorder. This is because there is a slight risk to women who have previously had these types of symptoms. While there is not necessarily a one to one link between the pill and the aggravation of these symptoms, many doctors will be cautious about prescribing the pill to women with a history of migraine or epilepsy.
Other factors that can result in some of the pill side effects coming to the fore include a woman's health, and her particular lifestyle. If a woman has high blood pressure, a doctor may be wary about prescribing her the pill. This is because the pill has been linked with increased risk of stroke or blood clots in some women with these problems. Similarly, women who are smokers, or who drink heavily should disclose this information to their doctor. Similar risks with blood clotting and stroke are present for women who smoke and drink large amounts of alcohol. While these risks are still small, many medical practitioners may decide not to prescribe the pill to these women.
Reading the information with your pill or searching online will show that the pill side effects are many and varied. However, bear in mind that only a very few women will experience these side effects. Speak to your doctor about going on the pill, and ensure that you disclose as much information about your health and medical history as you can. This will allow you and your doctor to make an informed decision about prescribing the pill, and will help you avoid the pill side effects that concern you.