What are the side effects of the birth control pill?

Nope. There’s been a ton of research on the birth control pill, and studies show that using the pill does not make you gain weight. And there are no birth control pills that make you lose weight.

Some people think that the hormones in the pill cause weight gain or weight loss, but that’s not true. The same goes for the birth control ring and birth control patch — these methods of birth control have the same hormones that are in most birth control pills, so the patch and ring won’t change your weight either. The hormonal IUD and the copper IUD also won’t lead to weight gain or loss.

There are 2 methods of birth control that may cause weight gain in some people who use them: the birth control shot and the birth control implant. But this doesn’t happen to everybody who uses these types of birth control. Many people use the shot or the implant without gaining weight.

Everyone’s body is different, so birth control affects everyone a little differently. But birth control shouldn’t cause problems in your everyday life — it’s there to help you. So if you think your birth control is making you gain or lose weight and this bothers you, or if you notice other side effects that you don’t like, talk with a nurse or doctor (like the ones at your closest Planned Parenthood health center). They may be able to help you find another brand of pill — or another type of birth control — that works better for you. Many people try a few different methods of birth control before finding one that works well for them.

And remember, if you stop taking the pill, you can get pregnant right away. So if you want to go off the pill but don’t want to get pregnant, make sure you use another method of birth control (like condoms).

Breakthrough bleeding is when spotting happens while you’re not on your period. Breakthrough bleeding while you’re on the birth control pill is normal and usually nothing to worry about. 

There are many reasons why you may have breakthrough bleeding while on the pill. Hormones in the birth control pill cause changes in your periods as your body adjusts. For most people, this side effect goes away within the first 2-3 months of starting the pill. So giving your body time to get used to the new hormones is important. If you make a mistake with your birth control pills or take the pill continuously (skipping your hormone-free week), you’re more likely to have breakthrough bleeding, even after the first 2-3 months of being on the pill. 

Other things can cause spotting or irregular bleeding that are unrelated to the pill, like uterine fibroids, PCOS, smoking cigarettes, or having certain STDs. You can always speak with a nurse or doctor, like the staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center, if you have any concerns about spotting or heavy bleeding. And you can keep track of any potential side effects with our birth control app, Spot On.

Breakthrough bleeding while on the birth control pill is common. And while it isn’t usually anything to worry about, it can be annoying. The good news is that these side effects usually go away in the first 2-3 months of starting the pill. Your body takes time to adjust to the hormones in the pill. If the bleeding continues for longer, speak to your nurse or doctor about what may be causing it. 

 Here are a few things that may help lessen your breakthrough bleeding: 

• Stay on schedule with your pills, and try not to miss any.

• Wait it out a few months to see if your body adjusts and the breakthrough bleeding stops on its own.

• If you’re taking the pill continuously and skipping your hormone free week, try scheduling a period every few months. This gives the uterus a chance to shed any built-up lining to reduce irregular spotting and bleeding.

• Explore other methods of birth control. Everyone’s body reacts a little differently to different birth control methods, and sometimes it takes a few tries to figure out what works best for you. Even within “the pill” as a method, there are lots of different kinds that may affect your periods and bleeding differently. 

You can always call a nurse or doctor, like the staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center, if you have any concerns while using the pill. And you can keep track of any potential side effects with our birth control app, Spot On.