What Are the Progestin Only Birth Control Side Effects?

Question: What Are the Progestin Only Birth Control Side Effects?

It is important to understand that common side effects may occur when taking hormonal control methods. The following list refers to Progestin-only contraceptives.

Answer: Frequent Side Effects (if a woman does, in fact, experience side effects, the following are the most common):

• Dizziness
• Spotting and irregular vaginal bleeding
• Amenorrhea
• Headaches
• Longer periods
• Pain in lower abdominals
• Loss of libido
• Increase or decrease in acne
• Mood Changes
• Anxiety and nervousness
• Appetite changes
• Enlarged ovarian follicles
• Vaginal discharge
• Skin rash or darkened patches of skin
• Bone density loss
• Possible hair loss
• Pain or itching (usually for a brief period of time)
• Increase or decrease in facial and body hair
• Breast tenderness
• Minimal weight gain - 2 lbs. on average (may occur as the progestin can cause a woman to be more hungry; weight gain will not occur if a woman does sticks to her old eating habits)
  
  
• Implanon users: infection at the site of implantation
  
  
• Mirena users: possible complications during insertion – perforation, infection, and expulsion

Less Common Health Complications:

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Certain cancers

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