Final answer:
Common side effects of oral contraceptives typically subside after a few weeks to months as the body adjusts. There are two main types of pills with different side effect profiles and effectiveness. Continuous dosage birth control pills can eliminate periods without adverse health effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Will Side Effects of Oral Contraceptives Go Away?
When a woman starts taking oral contraceptives, it is common for her to experience certain side effects such as breakthrough bleeding, nausea and vomiting, and breast tenderness. These side effects often diminish or completely go away after the body adjusts to the hormones contained in the birth control pills. This adjustment period may vary from a few weeks to a few months. Hormonal implants, which are another form of contraception, also have similar adjustment periods for side effects.
Birth control pills are a type of hormonal contraception that work to inhibit ovulation and thicken cervical mucus to prevent pregnancy. The combined pill, containing both estrogen and progesterone, and the progesterone-only pill are the two main types. The failure rate of birth control pills is low when used perfectly but can be higher with typical use. In addition to contraceptive benefits, birth control pills may reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers, but the combined pill has an associated risk of blood clots.
Long-term use of birth control pills can influence when fertility returns to normal once the pill is discontinued. Users concerned about maintaining a regular menstrual cycle may choose traditional pill packs with 21 active pills and 7 placebos causing a monthly period, while others may opt for newer continuous dosage packs that eliminate periods altogether without adverse health effects.