Patient's question:
What are the side effects of taking long-term birth control pills? For example, will it cause vitamin deficiencies, or will it lead to spots on the face?Doctor's answer:
Hello:Irregular bleeding (breakthrough bleeding) may occur during the first few months of taking oral contraceptives. However, as the body adjusts and regulates, the bleeding usually stops. Some women may experience several months of amenorrhea after stopping oral contraceptives, but this has no permanent effect on fertility. Other side effects, such as nausea, breast tenderness, edema, and high blood pressure, may be related to estrogen-containing contraceptives. Low-dose pills rarely cause these side effects. Weight gain, acne, and nervous sensitivity may be related to progestins, and low-dose pills also rarely cause these symptoms. Some women may gain 1.5 to 2.5 kg due to fluid retention, and weight gain may be even more pronounced due to increased appetite.
Severe side effects are rare. In the first few years of taking oral contraceptives, the risk of developing gallstones may increase, but it then decreases. Among women taking oral contraceptives, 1 in 30,000 to 1 in 500,000 may develop benign liver tumors (adenomas). If a tumor ruptures, blood can flow into the abdomen, causing severe symptoms. Adenomas usually disappear on their own after stopping the medication.
Women taking high-dose contraceptives have a 3 to 4 times higher risk of thrombosis compared to those not taking medication. As the estrogen content in the dose decreases, the risk of thrombosis also decreases. However, it remains higher than for women who have never used estrogen. If a woman taking medication suddenly experiences chest pain or leg pain, she must stop taking the pill and seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms may indicate deep vein thrombosis in the legs, which could potentially travel to the lungs and form an embolism.