What can I expect when starting birth control for the first time or starting a new brand of birth control?
When you start a new brand of birth control or, are just starting to use birth control for the first time, you may experience some side effects. These are normal and they will usually disappear after a couple of months. The reason this occurs is that it can take a while for your body to get used to the change in hormones caused by birth control.
Some of the side effects you may temporarily experience both on the combined and the progestogen-only pill includes:
Acne,
Breast tenderness or enlargement,
An increased or decreased sex drive,
Mood changes,
Headaches or migraines,
Nausea or vomiting,
Small, fluid-filled sacs (cysts) on your ovaries (they are usually harmless and disappear without treatment).
Some of the temporary and mild side effects for the patch and the ring includes:
Headaches,
Nausea and vomiting,
Breast tenderness,
Mood changes,
Breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods (this is nothing to worry about if you’re using it properly and you’ll still be protected against pregnancy).
Usually, these symptoms pass quickly, however, if you are still experiencing side effects after a couple of months or they are too much for you to handle, please let us know and we can speak to your assigned Partner Doctor about switching you to different birth control or contraceptive pill with lower or different hormone levels which may suit you better.
Sign-up to chat to one of our Partner Doctors regarding our birth control options and what to expect when starting!
Some of the side effects you may temporarily experience both on the combined and the progestogen-only pill includes:
Acne,
Breast tenderness or enlargement,
An increased or decreased sex drive,
Mood changes,
Headaches or migraines,
Nausea or vomiting,
Small, fluid-filled sacs (cysts) on your ovaries (they are usually harmless and disappear without treatment).
Some of the temporary and mild side effects for the patch and the ring includes:
Headaches,
Nausea and vomiting,
Breast tenderness,
Mood changes,
Breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods (this is nothing to worry about if you’re using it properly and you’ll still be protected against pregnancy).
Usually, these symptoms pass quickly, however, if you are still experiencing side effects after a couple of months or they are too much for you to handle, please let us know and we can speak to your assigned Partner Doctor about switching you to different birth control or contraceptive pill with lower or different hormone levels which may suit you better.
Sign-up to chat to one of our Partner Doctors regarding our birth control options and what to expect when starting!
Updated on: 06/03/2024
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