Side Effects

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills increase the risk of blood clots including pulmonary embolisms, blood clots in the lungs. The birth control pills containing synthetic progesterone called Drospirenone have a 3-fold increase in causing blood clots. The names of some birth control pills with Drospirenone are Yaz, Beyaz, Safyral and Yasmin. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Updated information about the risk of blood clots in women taking birth control pills containing drospirenone.

"Ovarian follicular development is not completely suppressed during the use of currently available combined OC formulations." Ovarian Follicular Development During the Use of Oral Contraception: A Review

Ovulation occurs from 2-10% of the time. Source: Peel and Potts M. Textbook and Contraceptive Technology. PP 98-9 ((1964) Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.

Many women become depressed on the birth control pill but do not realize the birth control pill is causing it. They often end up on anti-depressants. See package insert.
The pill can cause the cervix to age and produce less mucus, which can contribute to infertility. Aging of the Cervix
Other side effects caused by the birth control pill include: decrease in sex drive, increased risk of suicide, weight gain, gallbladder disease, mood swings, irregular periods and headaches.  You can read the details on the package inserts, such as this one.

Birth Control injections

Depo-Provera (injection) causes a disorder called osteoporosis, which is thinning of the bones. This usually does not happen until women are older, but Depo Provera causes it in young women. Depo-Provera package insert

Black Box Warnings

There is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated “Black Box Warning” on Depo-Provera regarding the risk of osteoporosis, a condition of substantial bone loss in the spine and the femoral head (hip) that can lead to serious fractures.  This condition is generally found in older women.  The use of Depo-Provera causes bone loss in young women.

The FDA, contraceptive marketing approval and products liability litigation: Depo-Provera and the risk of osteoporosis.

Another U.S. FDA mandated Black Box Warning on oral contraceptives warns of an increased risk of strokes in women over the age of 35.

The Black Box Warning is the most serious medication warning required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

Intrauterine Devices are T-shaped devices installed inside of a woman’s uterus. In addition to causing early abortions, other side effects include:

  • Ectopic pregnancy, infection in the uterus, infection in the fallopian tubes that can cause scarring, irregular or no bleeding
  • The IUD can move and get trapped in the uterus or other areas of the pelvis.
  • The IUD can perforate the uterus
  • Learn more from the Mirena and Paraguard IUD package inserts.