Question
My physician recently changed my brand of birth control pills. I read reviews that described bad side effects for the new brand. Do all birth control pills have the same ingredients? If so, why would some cause different side effects?
Answer
All birth control pills are formulated with a synthetic estrogen and progestin hormone (with the exception of one that has progestin only). Most common side effects of birth control pills occur when you first begin taking them, and include headache, breast tenderness, nausea, and spotting. Certain individuals may feel better on one pill than another due to the difference in amount of estrogen in pills and also differences in the type of progestin.
Certain progestins can cause mood effects that are undesirable, however these are highly variable and what works for one may not work for another. Therefore, the best way to select a pill is to visit your gynecologist, discuss pros and cons of each type of pill, and then try one. If you have undesirable side effects on one, you will likely be able to find another one more suitable. Your doctor will be able to assist you with this.