Common side effects of the pill include irregular vaginal bleeding (especially in the first three months), breast tenderness, weight gain, nausea (take it at night to decrease the chances of nausea), mood changes, decrease in libido (sex drive), blood clots (the risk is still lower than the chance of getting a blood clot in pregnancy), and gallbladder problems.
Who should not take the pill?
The pill is contraindicated in smokers over the age of 35, pregnancy,
undiagnosed genital bleeding, breast cancer, liver disease, uterine cancer,
a history of blood clots, migranes with neurological manifestations, uncontrolled
hypertension, and coronary artery disease.
What are the ages during which I can safely take the pill? The pill must be prescribed by a physician, and after a thorough history and physical, the pill can be taken from the early teenage years straight through to age 54.