What Are the Risks of Taking Birth Control Pills?

Birth control pills utilize the female hormones progesterone and estrogen to prevent ovulation thereby preventing pregnancy. While these pills come in dozens of forms the risks are essentially the same. While most women under the age of 35 are able to take birth control pills without a hitch, women over the age of 35 and smokers should be aware that their risk of developing complications is greatly increased.

Side Effects

• For the most part, side effects experienced while taking birth control pills are minimal. The National Institutes of Health reports that the most common side effects include a slight headache, weight gain, dizziness, mood changes and nausea. Occasionally these side effects are severe enough to make a woman discontinue use. However, some women find success by switching to a lower dose birth control pill.

Migraines

• If you frequently get headaches during your period and have a history of migraines, you are at a heightened risk of getting migraines while on the pill. A spike in hormones, particularly estrogen, can often trigger severe headaches. Women with the propensity to develop headaches may seek out a low-dose birth control pill or progesterone only pill.

Blood Clots

• A blood clot is a semi-coagulated clump of blood. Blood clots can occur in any vein throughout the body. While they do not sound too serious, a blood clot can travel to the heart or brain, causing heart attack or stroke, which may lead to death. Brown University warns women on birth control to be aware that abdominal aches, shortness of breath, chest pain, blurred vision, headaches that result in loss of cognitive ability and severe leg pains are all signs that a blood clot has formed.

Cancer

• While studies are unclear, there may be a heightened risk for women on the pill to develop breast cancer, ovarian cancer and uterine cancer. Women with a propensity to develop these cancers or with a family history of these cancers should heavily weigh the potential risks. However, the National Cancer Institute informs consumers that a woman's chance to develop breast cancer returns to normal within ten years of discontinuing use of the birth control pill.

Blood Pressure

• One of the more common risks of taking birth control pills is elevated blood pressure. Women with cardiovascular problems should be closely monitored for blood pressure spikes to prevent a potentially fatal heart attack or stroke. Signs of elevated blood pressure include dizziness, shortness of breath and severe headache.