Contraception and side-effects: finding the right option for you

Contraception (birth control or family planning) is great. There are more modern contraception options than ever before. The great news is that all of them are safe and having a choice means you can find the one that’s right for you and enjoy sex without worrying about unplanned pregnancy.  

Should I worry about side-effects when choosing birth control? 

First-off it’s good to remember that all modern contraception is safe. Some people do get side-effects from some types of contraception, although not everyone does. If you do get any side-effects, they are likely to go once your body adjusts.  

Remember, if you do get side-effects, you can always swap to another method. You can keep swapping until you find the one that works for you and your body.  

Below is a list of the contraception options available, plus their most common side-effects and what to do if you get any of them. For more information on each method, follow the links. 

Side-effects of the contraceptive pill  

The contraceptive pill is a tablet that releases hormones which interrupt your normal menstrual cycle so that you can’t get pregnant. There are two types of contraceptive pills: the combination pill (which contains versions of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone) and the mini pill (which only contains progesterone). 

When it comes to possible side-effects, here are the most common:  

• Mood changes: If your mood keeps going up and down, and it does not level out after a while of taking the pill, it is a good idea to seek health advice.  

• Weight gain: You might put on weight, but you might not. A lot of people start taking the pill at an age when their body is changing, which is one of the reasons why people connect weight gain with taking the pill. Eating a balanced diet and taking regular exercise will help you stay a healthy weight, or you could try a different birth control method. 

• Changes to your period: Your period may stop, become lighter, or become less regular. Some people love this side effect if they get it! But if you don’t, you can speak to your health provider about trying a different family planning method. 

• Bleeding between periods: You might get some spotting or bleeding at other points in your menstrual cycle. This is normal, and you should keep taking the pill as usual if it happens. The bleeding should stop after you have been taking the pill for a few months. 

• Sore breasts: Your breasts may feel tender and can also seem fuller and bigger. Try wearing looser fitting clothing and non-wired bras if this happens. And it’s okay to tell your partner that this is a no-go zone until you feel better – there are plenty of other parts of your body that can give you pleasure. 

• Some people get headaches, feel sick or dizzy. These symptoms should pass. But if they keep hanging around, speak to a healthcare provider. 

Remember, you might not get any of these, or you might get a few. And if you stop taking the pill, they should go. 

In much rarer cases, some people on the contraceptive pill can get the following side-effects: 

• Hair loss: Any form of hormonal birth control that contains progesterone can lead to hair loss. This is unlikely to happen. But if it does, the hair loss is likely to be mild. 

• Blood clots: This is a rare side-effect of taking the combination pill (affecting around 1 in 1,000 people), but it is a serious one. Signs to look out for include throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in your leg or arm, sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pains and coughing up blood.  

• High blood pressure: This is another rare side-effect of the combination pill. Symptoms to look out for include blurred vision, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness and headaches.  

If you get any of these, especially the last two, see your health provider as soon as possible. 

Side-effects of the contraceptive injection  

The contraceptive injection is a shot that contains the hormone progestogen, which lasts for 8-13 weeks.  

Common side-effects of the contraceptive injection are similar to the pill. They should stop if you stop getting the injection, but some people experience side-effects for a few months after stopping.  

You might also get mild pain, a small lump or a scar in the place where you had the injection (your bottom, arm, stomach or thigh). If the skin around the injection keeps feeling sore or looks infected, see a health provider who may give you antibiotics. 

In rare cases, having injections for more than one year can weaken bones. Signs to look out for include pain in the body and easily broken or fractured bones. If this happens, stop the injections and your bone health should return to normal. 

Side-effects of the contraceptive implant  

The contraceptive implant is a small rod that goes under the skin in your arm and steadily releases hormones to prevent pregnancy. It lasts for three, four or five years, depending on which type you get. 

Common side-effects of the contraceptive implant are similar to the pill and will stop if you get the implant removed. Like the pill, in rare cases, the implant can cause hair loss and blood clots.  

When you first get the implant, your arm might feel sore, bruised or swollen. This is likely to go after a few days. But if you notice changes to the skin where the implant is, or if the skin feels painful, you should go to a health provider. They will be able to take the implant out and recommend something else. 

Side-effects of the contraceptive coil

The contraceptive coil is a small device that is inserted into the womb. There are two types: an intra-uterine device (IUD), which releases copper into the womb, and an intra-uterine system (IUS), which releases the hormone progestogen. An IUD works for 5 to 10 years, and an IUS works for 3 to 5 years. 

The IUS can have common side effects that are similar to other progestogen contraceptives, including headaches, mood swings, spots and breast tenderness. The IUD is non-hormonal, which means it doesn’t have the same side effects as the contraceptive pill, implant or injection. However, it can make your periods heavier, longer or more painful, although this is likely to improve after a few months.  

If you have an undiagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI) when you get either type of coil fitted, you are more at risk of a pelvis infection during the first three weeks of having the coil. Signs to look out for include:  

• pain around your lower tummy 

• discomfort or pain during sex  

• bleeding after sex and bleeding when you are not on your period 

• a heavy and painful period 

• pain when peeing 

• yellow, green or smelly discharge from your vagina. 

Side-effects of the contraceptive patch

The contraceptive patch is a small patch that you stick to your skin. It releases the hormones oestrogen and progestogen through the skin and into your body to prevent pregnancy. You change the patch every week, and you do this for three weeks, then you have a week off. 

The patch can have common side effects that are similar to the combination pill. In rare cases, it can also cause blood clots and high blood pressure. Where you first put the patch on, your skin might feel itchy, dry, painful or swollen, or you may get a rash. If these skin issues do not go within a month, see a health provider for advice. 

Side-effects of condom use

This is when we give a big shout-out to condoms! Condoms (external or internal) do not have any side effects. And as well as preventing pregnancy, they also prevent STIs, including HIV, which other family planning methods do not. There are lots of ways to make condoms a fun part of sex too.