Contraceptive pill

[amy17]

'What are the known side effects of taking the contraceptive pill?'

[parkhead]

Weight gain and a loss of sexual desire are two common ones. Blood clots were also linked to the pill a few years ago but I believe that was only the older type. The best person to talk to would be your doctor or someone at your family planning centre who would be able to give you all the pro's and con's and offer confidential advice, if you were planning on using this or not .

[ravenhair]

It depends on what type of pill. Possible side effects of the combined pill include weight gain, high blood pressure, blood clots and loss of sexual desire. The mini pill (with progesterone only) has fewer side effects and gives more or less the same level of protection. However, many people have no side effects at all, and even within the two types, there are different brands, so sometimes switching brands eliminates any side effects. It's worth remembering that although the pill may not be for everyone, millions of women all over the world take it with no problems at all.