The birth control pill was invented in 1960 and many improvements have been made over the years. Women who are thinking about starting birth control pills have many questions about possible effects. Below are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about the birth control pill.

Will the pill make me gain weight?
The pill does not make you fat. Most women who use the pill do not experience a change in weight. Getting older, exercising less, and changes in your diet are more likely to cause weight gain than your birth control pills.

Will using the pill now hurt my chances of becoming pregnant in the future?
No. The pill works by suppressing ovulation, or the formation of an egg each month. As soon as you stop taking the pill, you will be able to form an egg each month and potentially become pregnant. If you do experience difficulty getting pregnant after stopping the pill, see your doctor because there are other reasons that you might be having difficulty.

What are the side effects of the pill?
Most women do not have side effects while taking the pill. Some women will have nausea and mild headaches during the first few weeks. These side effects almost always go away after the first month and may be better if you take the pill just before going to bed.

If I have bleeding between periods, does that mean the pill is not working?
Some women have small amounts of bleeding between periods called breakthrough bleeding. This is not harmful and usually disappears after the first few months. It doesn’t mean your pill is not working. However, forgetting or skipping pills can lead to breakthrough bleeding and increase your chance of getting pregnant. It is very important to take the pill every day.

Does the pill cause blood clots?
Pills may cause a small increase in the risk of blood clots, but the risk is much less than during pregnancy. Blood clots among healthy women are rare whether or not they take the pill.

Does the pill cause cancer?
Using the pill does not increase your risk of breast cancer and actually protects against cancer of the ovary and uterus. Pap smears and yearly exams are still important when you use the pill.

If you are not happy with the pill for whatever reason, see your doctor to discuss all the other options available for birth control including the ring, patch, injection, implant, and intrauterine device.

by:  Angela Dempsey, M.D.