side effects
Last reviewed 07/2023
Those associated with oestrogen may include:
- weight gain*, fluid retention
- headache
- nausea and vomiting
- increased menstrual flow
- venous thrombosis
- increased cervical secretion / cervical erosion
Those associated with progestogen may include:
- breast fullness
- decreased libido, dry vagina
- reduced menstrual flow, disturbance in menstrual cycle
- acne
- premenstrual depression
There is a higher incidence of adenocarcinoma of the cervix in women taking oral contraceptives especially if they are taken for longer than 12 years.
* although changes in body weight are stated as possible side effects when using a combined pill (1), a systematic review concluded that available evidence was insufficient to determine the effect of combination contraceptives on weight, but no large effect was evident (2)
Reference:
oral contraceptives and cervical adenocarcinoma
oral contraceptives and thromboembolism
oral contraceptives and induced endometrial changes