In most cases progesterone-only pill side effects occur when you start taking a pill. They are mostly mild and go away on their own as your body gets used to the change in hormone levels.
The most common progesterone mini pill side effects include headache, nausea, acne, vomiting, irregular bleeding, hair thinning, mood fluctuations, weight gain or loss, changes in libido and ovarian cysts.
If you get side effects which bother you too much or that start to affect your day-to-day activities, you should speak to your doctor.
Though serious progesterone contraception side effects are rare, it is good to know about the symptoms in case they occur.
If you notice signs like chest pain, fatigue, sudden weakness on one side of your body, vision problems in one of your eyes, seek immediate medical attention and stop using the POP pill as these may be indicating a heart attack or stroke.
You should also be cautious of symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cramping pain or coughing up blood, these can be an indication of blood clots. Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) include pain in the calf or thigh, typically in one leg, swelling and redness of the skin. Seek advice from a doctor immediately regarding these serious progestogen side effects.
If you have any pre-existing conditions or are taking medication, let your doctor know during the consultation. Some medications may not be suitable to work alongside the mini pill. It’s possible to develop progestin-only pill side effects because of an interaction between two medications.
Why am I bleeding on the mini pill?
Spotting or breakthrough bleeding (between periods) is the most common
mini pill side effect. It happens to women because the hormones in their body aren’t consistent and are adjusting to the new birth control method.
Menstrual disturbances like long periods or heavy bleeding on the mini pill are also possible. But you shouldn’t stop taking the pill thinking that it isn’t working for you. It can take a bit of patience for your body to fully adjust to the mini pill.
Bleeding on the mini pill may also occur if you aren’t taking the pill as you should — at the same time every day. Missing your pill or not taking it at the right time can impact the effectiveness of the mini pill. You are then at a greater risk of getting pregnant as well as of breakthrough bleeding.
If your mini pill bleeding is constant even after a couple of months of starting it, or you have no period on the mini pill and you’re concerned you could be pregnant due to a missed or late pill, speak to your doctor.
How common is spotting on the mini pill?
Spotting on the mini pill is quite common. According to a study, around 70% of users reported spotting or breakthrough bleeding on mini pill in one or more cycles .
Besides this, women also experienced irregularities in menstrual flow such as long periods, heavy bleeding and prolonged menstrual cycles. Irregular bleeding on the mini pill was the main reason for up to 25 percent of women stopping this form of contraception.
Can the mini pill cause weight gain?
Mini pill weight gain is one of the main concerns among women when they’re thinking of trying this type of contraceptive. This limits the use of mini pills by many women.
Though rare, some women report weight gain while taking mini pills. It is usually a temporary side effect which happens due to bloating or fluid retention in the body and goes away in two to three months.
Some studies have provided limited evidence to prove that use of mini pills cause changes in body weight or composition .
But if you notice that taking the mini pill and weight gain coincide for you then speak to your doctor. They might suggest an alternative contraceptive that works better for you.
Can the mini pill cause spots?
The mini pill and acne symptoms are more likely in women who are already prone to the condition. Mini pills contain progesterone which may cause fluctuations in your androgen levels, make your skin oilier and increase the risks of developing hormonal acne.
Male hormones, like androgens have been noted as a reason for acne breakouts. They increase the production of sebum (oily substance) which then blocks pores and causes blackheads, whiteheads or pimples.
So, if you’re looking for birth control which will help you with your acne and not worsen it, there are some combined oral contraceptives that may be able to help. The levels of oestrogen and progesterone hormones in them help stabilise the hormone levels and reduce androgen activity. This can prevent flare ups and clear up acne spots.