Side effects
As with any drug, taking the minipill can be accompanied by side effects that do not necessarily occur in every user. Although the active ingredients are in lower doses compared to the combined pill, side effects may occur which make it necessary to stop or change the contraceptive. The most common side effects of the minipill include irregular menstrual bleeding, spotting or bleeding between periods.
Also frequently observed are –acne –nausea, vomiting –headaches -breast tenderness, sexual unwillingness (In rare cases, skin changes such as hair loss, rashes or pigment spots may occur. The user should be fully informed about possible side effects and consult her doctor or pharmacist if one or more side effects occur to a significant degree. In this case, a change in contraception may be indicated.
In rare cases, skin changes such as hair loss, rashes or pigment spots may occur. The user should be fully informed about possible side effects and consult her doctor or pharmacist if one or more side effects occur to a severe degree. In this case, a change in contraception may be indicated.
The user should be fully informed about possible side effects and consult her doctor or pharmacist if one or more side effects are severe. In this case a change of contraception may be indicated. In general, the risk of thrombosis is increased in every woman who uses a hormonal contraceptive.
However, the risk of thrombosis is generally estimated to be lower for the minipill than for the combined pill. Women who smoke, are overweight or already have a family history of thrombosis should seek detailed advice on contraceptive protection. If there are the slightest signs of thrombosis, treatment with the contraceptive must be discontinued and a doctor consulted.
Indications of a possible thrombosis are overheating and thickening of the limb, excruciating pain, superficial vein drawing or redness. Deep vein thrombosis can lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism and must be treated. Changes in appetite and weight gain are considered possible side effects of the minipill.
Water retention (edema) can also lead to an increase in body weight. How patients react individually is difficult to predict. Many women report an improvement if they switch to another contraceptive.
If the body weight increases up to overweight, the user should inform her doctor or pharmacist about the possible side effects of long-term medication. Many women switch from the combined pill to the minipill, since some of the side effects include a loss of libido, i.e. sexual unwillingness. However, a loss of libido can also occur when taking the minipill.
The extent to which the female libido is affected by taking a hormonal contraceptive is individual. Sometimes it is worth changing the preparation to avoid these side effects. In some cases, the minipill can cause undesirable side effects with skin changes or hair loss.
This can lead to diffuse alopecia, i.e. hair loss on the entire head. If the hair loss is severe and does not return to normal within three months, a change of the preparation should be considered. In severe cases, a dermatologist should be consulted.
In general, mood swings, depressive moods and depression are among the possible side effects of both combined preparations and the minipill. These are usually most pronounced at the beginning of taking the pill. Before switching to a new pill, you should wait to see whether the symptoms disappear as soon as the body has become accustomed to the new hormonal situation.
In cases of severe depression and psychological stress, a change should be considered. In case of acne, the use of the minipill is not recommended. However, there is certainly the possibility of using hormonal contraceptives for acne.
Puberty is accompanied by a change in the hormone balance of the body.This change can be accompanied by acne in many young people. In some cases, hormonal contraceptives are used to get a grip on the hormone-related acne. The effectiveness of some hormonal contraceptives lies in their antiandrogenic effect, which leads to reduced sebum production and improved skin texture.
However, the minipill is not recommended for this. Acne is even considered a possible side effect of the minipill. If acne is an indication for taking hormonal contraceptives, conventional combined preparations should be used. In this case the estrogen supply has a positive effect on the skin condition.
