Women who want the benefit of having only four annual menstrual periods may consider choosing Seasonale, an extended-cycle birth control pill. Although it prevents pregnancy like any other oral contraceptive, it is often recommended to women who suffer from painful menstrual periods. Before making the decision to use this extended-cycle birth control pill, it is important to be aware of the possible Seasonale birth control pill side effects.
Spotting Between Periods is Common on Seasonale
Women who use the Seasonale birth control pill are more prone to spotting between periods. While this is one of the side effects of Seasonale that can occur on any oral contraceptive, it tends to be a much more common problem with extended-cycle birth control pills. Some women may experience a flow as heavy as a regular menstrual period, while others may only experience light vaginal spotting.
The good news is that this is one of the Seasonale birth control pill side effects that will stop over time. Most medical experts believe that your body simply needs to become adjusted once every three months. According to Mary Gallenberg, M.D. in her Mayo Clinic article, spotting between periods is one of the side effects of Seasonale that can last up until a year. For some women, however, this side effect may stop after only a few months of use.
Other Common Seasonale Birth Control Pill Side Effects
Seasonale can cause a number of side effects that may affect women who are using any oral contraceptive. According to Web MD, these side effects of Seasonale include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Breast tenderness or enlargement
The good thing is that many of these side effects will lessen or go away once the woman has adjusted to the hormones in Seasonale. Other possible Seasonale birth control pill side effects include an increase in vaginal lubrication or discharge and vaginal irritation, according to Web MD. While some women who use this oral contraceptive may see an improvement in their skin, acne can also be caused by Seasonale.
Serious Risks and Complications of Seasonale
Blood clots, heart attack, and stroke are serious Seasonale birth control pill side effects. Women who smoke cigarettes are at the greatest risk, especially if they are 35 years old or older. For this reason, they are not recommended to use Seasonale or any other oral contraceptive. Any woman who experiences a severe allergic reaction, which is generally characterized by a rash, should stop using this birth control pill immediately.
While Seasonale is an ideal method of birth control for some women, it is not the best choice for others. Any woman who is thinking about using this oral contraceptive should consider the Seasonal birth control pill side effects before deciding if it is right for them. To find out if you are an ideal candidate for Seasonale or other oral contraceptives, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only; it should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his/her health should contact a licensed medical professional.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic, “Seasonale Side Effects: Does Breakthrough Bleeding Last Long?” (accessed January 18, 2011).
Web MD, “ Seasonale Oral Side Effects ” (accessed January 18, 2011).
Jody Morse - Jody Morse is a freelance writer from the Poconos. She earned her B.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania in ...
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