Birth control pills are a common contraceptive method used by women worldwide in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies. However, birth control pills are associated with various side effects such as nausea, weight gain, menstrual cycle changes, breast tenderness, etc. Some of these side effects tend to go away after a certain period of time, while others can be signs of serious side effects and complications, even life-threatening medical conditions. Is it possible to have chest pain due to the use of birth control pills?
Yes, chest pain may occur when using birth control pills. Birth control pills can lead to a formation of a blood clot in the blood vessels connecting the heart to the lungs, medically known as pulmonary embolism which is characterized by sudden severe chest pain, shortness of breath, faintness, etc. This is a serious and life-threatening medical condition requiring emergency medical help.
However, blood clots can get formed in other parts of the body as well, usually on the legs, a condition medically known as deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis is characterized by a cramping pain on the affected leg, swelling of the leg, etc.
Researchers have found that:
You should seek immediate medical help if you are using birth control pills as a contraceptive method and are experiencing any of the following:
There is no need to worry about taking birth control pills as a contraceptive method if you are healthy and don’t have other risk factors that could lead to side effects and serious medical complications. According to many studies, the risk for various complications is higher during the first year of using birth control pills, as your body is adjusting to the new hormonal levels.
But, in cases when you are obese, smoke, have had blood clot problems in the past or have a family history of clots, have cardiovascular diseases, migraine, and if you are over the age of 35 years old, then perhaps you should consult your healthcare provider to check if birth control pills are the right contraceptive method for you. All of the above-mentioned factors will increase your risk of blood clots, even though these aren’t all signs that you can’t take birth control pills.
If there is more than one risk factor present, then perhaps the risk of blood clots is higher than the benefits you will have from taking birth control pills as contraception. As long as there are other contraceptive methods that might be safer for you than birth control pills, you should choose what is safer for you, don’t you?
In general, most women have no side effects at all when taking birth control pills as a contraceptive method. However, as everyone is unique, some women may experience various side effects such as a headache, irregular menstrual periods, weight gain, etc., especially during the first year after starting birth control pills.
In general, the side effects mentioned above are mild and tend to go away within a couple of days, weeks and sometimes months after starting the pill. If the side effects are concerning you, then you should consult your healthcare provider.