Is birth control worth the risks to your health?
• Combined Oral Contraceptives (YAZ, etc.) – Side effects include heart attacks, strokes, blood
clots in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain, high blood pressure, liver tumors, gallstones, change in sex
drive, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
• Progestin-Only Pills – Side effects include irregular menstrual bleeding, ovarian cysts, depression,
weight gain, decreased libido, headaches, breast tenderness, fatigue, and acne.
• Depo-Provera (Birth Control Shot) – Side effects include increased risk of breast cancer, heart
attacks, depression, blood clots, osteoporosis, hair loss or increased hair on the face or body,
severe chest pain, decreased libido, severe pelvic pain, sudden numbness, and abnormally heavy
menstrual bleeding.
• NuvaRing (Birth Control Vaginal Ring) – Side effects include heart
attacks, strokes, blood clots in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain,
thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis with or without embolism,
arterial thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction,
cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral thrombosis, hypertension, hepatic
adenomas, high blood pressure, liver tumors, gallstones, change in sex
drive, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
• Ortho Evra (Birth Control Patch) – Side effects include heart attacks,
strokes, blood clots in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain, high blood
pressure, liver tumors, gallstones, change in sex drive, and yellowing of
the skin or eyes (jaundice).
• Implanon (Birth Control Implant) – Side effects include depression, ovarian cysts, weight gain,
heavy menstrual bleeding, depersonalization, breast pain, change in sex drive, insomnia, vaginal
discharge, back pain, and irritability.
• Plan B One-Step (Levonorgestrel) – Side effects include dizziness, fatigue, breast tenderness,
headaches, heavier menstrual bleeding, lower abdominal pain, and nausea.
• ellaOne – Side effects include hives, dry mouth, kidney stones, hot flashes, attention deficit, swollen
tongue, acid reflux, blurred vision, depression, anxiety, menstrual disorders, constipation, trembling,
infection, dehydration, renal pain, and nose bleeds.
• RU-486, Mifeprex, Mifegyne (Mifepristone) – Side effects include severe and potentially fatal
infections and heavy bleeding, uterine cramping, spotting, blood clots, passing of tissue, persistent
fever, severe abdominal pain, and syncope (temporary loss of consciousness or fainting).
• Hormonal Contraceptives do not prevent STDs and studies show an increased risk of contracting
STDs while on hormonal birth control.
Nehsdal, Melissa & Pam Stenzel. Nobody Told Me. www.pamstenzel.com
