When choosing a method of birth control, it's important to find a solution which suits both parties. The popular contraceptives are relatively free from side effects, however, some people find particular forms of contraception don’t suit them. Side effects are usually minimal but some can pose a more serious risk.

Finding the right birth control method may take some trial and error, but with a wide variety of options, most people should be able to find something which works well for them.


Female contraceptive pill

The female contraceptive pill helps prevent pregnancy in three ways. It stops ovulation, thickens the cervical mucus which deters sperm and thins the uterus lining to make implantation of the egg difficult. When taken as instructed, the pill is nearly 100 percent effective against pregnancy. It does have potential side effects, some which cause minor discomfort while others pose significantly more risk.

Less serious side effects include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, slight weight gain, headaches, spotting between periods and breast tenderness.

More serious side effects include a blood clot in the upper leg, raised blood pressure, heart attack or stroke. The likelihood of experiencing these side effects are increased with certain risk factors. These include being a smoker, family history of thrombosis, obesity, diabetes and immobility for any length of time. Doctors prescribing the pill will take these risks into consideration.

Female contraceptive mini pill

Like the contraceptive pill, when taken properly, the mini pill provides up to 99 percent protection against pregnancy. Because it doesn’t contain estrogen, side effects are generally fewer than those experienced when taking the pill. Possible side effects include tender breasts, irregular periods or complete cessation, developing spots, nausea, headaches, dizziness, weight change, and depression. However, newer mini pills have no scientific evidence of weight gain, depression or headaches.

Male condom

The condom is one of the most popular forms of contraception which is worn over the penis to trap sperm when the man climaxes. When condoms are used with a spermicide, they should provide up to 95 percent protection against pregnancy. Fortunately, there are few side effects associated with condoms. Occasionally, either the man or woman may find they have an allergic reaction to the latex material from which the condom is made. In such cases, it would be best to use a condom made from an alternative material such as polyurethane. Some people may also find they have an allergic reaction to the spermicides which are found in some condoms.

Intrauterine Devices (IUD)

IUDs are plastic T-shaped contraceptive devices which are placed inside the uterus by a health-care provider. They release a steady flow of hormones and prevent pregnancy by creating changes to cervical mucus which kills or immobilizes sperm. It also thins the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation of the egg. IUDs are more than 99 percent successful at preventing pregnancy. Possible side effects with using an IUD include mood swings, tender breasts, pelvic pain, cramping (when using the copper IUD), heavier bleeding during menstruation (using the copper IUD), as well as nausea, headaches and acne.

Contraceptive injection

The contraceptive injection, Depo-Provera, is a hormonal method used to regulate the woman’s ovaries. An injection is given every eleven  to thirteen weeks and pregnancy is prevented in the same way as the contraceptive pill. Using this method provides 99 percent protection against pregnancy. Side effects are the same as the pill, though some women also experience anxiety, bloating, leg cramps, change of hair growth, depression or a decline in sex drive.

Diaphragm and cervical cap

The diaphragm and cervical cap are both used by the woman as a preventative measure against pregnancy. Used correctly, they should provide between 92 to 96 percent effective contraception protection. Prior to intercourse, the woman inserts the cap or diaphragm into her vagina so it covers the cervix in order to provide a barrier against sperm. As with the male condom, side effects are few and those that do occur are mainly due to possible allergic reactions to the material or the spermicide. Some women may also experience cystitis if the diaphragm presses against the urinary passage.

Vaginal ring

The vaginal ring works like the contraceptive pill, only instead of swallowing a pill, a soft, plastic ring containing synthetic hormones is inserted into the vagina where it remains for three weeks. Used correctly, there is a less than two percent failure rate. Side effects are similar to those experienced by those using the pill and include headaches, dizziness, breast tenderness, nausea, tiredness and weight gain.

Whether or not side effects occur when using birth control, very much depends on the individual concerned. While some may suffer from problems such as nausea, headaches or an allergic reaction, others are symptom free. In all cases, if side effects are particularly problematic, it's advisable to seek advice from a health practitioner who will be able to discuss various alternative options.