How Safe Are Birth Control Pills?

How Safe Are Birth Control Pills?

Most women can use birth control pills safely. But all medications have some risks, so safety is a concern when choosing a birth control method. Certain conditions increase the risk of serious side effects. Some of these conditions may even rule out using the pill. Talk with your health care provider to find out if the pill is likely to be safe for you.

You should not take any kind of birth control pill if you have had breast cancer or think you might be pregnant.

You should not take the progestin-only pill if you have blood clotting problems that are not being treated successfully.

You should not take the combination pill during prolonged bed rest or if you

• get migraine headaches with aura
• have certain inherited blood-clotting disorders

• have or are being treated for blood clots or vein inflammation 
• have had a heart attack, stroke, angina, or other serious heart problems
• have had serious heart valve problems
• have lupus with certain conditions
• have serious liver disease or have had liver cancer
• have very bad diabetes or have had diabetes for longer than 20 years
• have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• smoke and are 35 or older
• smoke and have high blood pressure
• have had complications after organ transplant
• need to stay in bed for a long time         

Warnings About Birth Control Pills That Contain Drospirenone The progestin in YAZ, Gianvi, YASMIN, Ocella, Syeda, and Zarah, Beyaz, and Safyral is different from other birth control pills. It may be linked to a higher risk for blood clots than other birth control pills. It can also raise potassium levels in your blood. This could cause heart and health problems. Make sure you tell your doctor or nurse if you ever had a disease of the kidneys, liver, or adrenal glands. Some medicines are not safe to take with these pills.

If you have a condition that makes it unsafe to take the pill, don’t worry. There are many other methods of birth control that may be safe for you if you cannot take the pill. Read about other methods to find one that may be right for you.