The Short Answer
Every birth control method has a different side-effect profile. Some cause mostly local effects (cramping, spotting), while others affect your whole body (mood, appetite, energy). The table below shows what to expect from each method so you can weigh the trade-offs before choosing - or understand what you are experiencing on your current one.
Key Points:
- Side effects vary widely between individuals, even on the same method
- Most hormonal side effects improve within 2-3 months
- The hormonal IUD causes fewer systemic effects than pills or the shot
- The copper IUD has no hormonal side effects but can increase menstrual flow
- Tracking your symptoms with the bloom app helps you and your provider make better decisions
Side Effects Comparison Table
| Side Effect | Combined Pill | Mini Pill | Hormonal IUD | Copper IUD | Implant | Patch | Ring | Shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | Common | Uncommon | Rare | None | Uncommon | Common | Less common | Uncommon |
| Breast tenderness | Common | Common | Uncommon | None | Common | Common | Common | Common |
| Mood changes | Common | Common | Less common | None | Common | Common | Common | Common |
| Weight changes | Possible | Possible | Unlikely | None | Possible | Possible | Possible | Common |
| Irregular bleeding | Common (first 2-3 mo) | Very common | Common (first 3-6 mo) | None | Very common | Common | Common | Very common |
| Heavier periods | Unlikely | Unlikely | Unlikely | Common | Unlikely | Unlikely | Unlikely | Unlikely |
| Lighter/absent periods | Common | Possible | Very common | No | Common | Common | Common | Very common |
| Headaches | Common | Common | Uncommon | Uncommon | Common | Common | Common | Common |
| Acne changes | Often improves | May worsen | May worsen | No effect | May worsen | Often improves | Often improves | May worsen |
| Cramping | Reduced | No change | Increased (first 3-6 mo) | Increased | No change | Reduced | Reduced | No change |
| Skin irritation | None | None | None | None | None | At patch site | None | At injection site |
| Blood clot risk | Slightly increased | Not increased | Not increased | Not increased | Not increased | Slightly increased | Slightly increased | Not increased |
Combined Pill Side Effects in Detail
The combined pill circulates estrogen and progestin through your entire body. Side effects can show up anywhere: digestive system (nausea), breasts (tenderness), brain (mood, headaches), and skin (acne changes).
Timeline: Most side effects peak in weeks 1-4 and improve by month 3. If nausea is an issue, take the pill with food or before bed.
When to call your provider: Severe headaches, vision changes, leg pain or swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath (these could signal a blood clot - rare but serious).
More on common pill side effects
Hormonal IUD Side Effects in Detail
Because the hormonal IUD delivers progestin directly to the uterus, most effects are local: cramping and spotting in the first few months, followed by lighter periods or no periods.
Timeline: Cramping is worst in the first 1-2 weeks after insertion. Irregular spotting is common for 3-6 months. After 6 months, most users report lighter or absent periods.
Systemic effects: Some users report mood changes, acne, or breast tenderness, but these are less common than with pills because blood hormone levels are much lower.
Copper IUD Side Effects in Detail
No hormones means no hormonal side effects. The trade-off is that periods often become heavier and cramps can be stronger, particularly in the first 3-6 months.
Timeline: The first 3 periods after insertion are typically the heaviest. Flow and cramping usually decrease over time but may remain heavier than your pre-IUD baseline.
Compare hormonal vs copper IUD
Implant Side Effects in Detail
The implant releases a steady, low dose of progestin. The most significant side effect is unpredictable bleeding patterns.
About 1 in 3 users experience irregular bleeding that can last throughout the duration of use. Some users stop getting periods entirely. Mood changes and headaches are possible but often resolve within the first few months.
Patch Side Effects in Detail
Similar to the combined pill (same hormones), plus potential skin irritation at the patch site. The patch delivers a slightly higher dose of estrogen than most pills, which may increase the risk of blood clots compared to lower-dose pills, though the absolute risk remains low.
Shot (Depo-Provera) Side Effects in Detail
The shot delivers a large dose of progestin every 3 months. Side effects tend to be more pronounced than other progestin-only methods.
- Weight: The shot is the method most consistently linked to weight gain (average 5-8 lbs over 2 years).
- Bone density: Long-term use (2+ years) is associated with temporary bone density loss. This typically reverses after stopping.
- Bleeding: Irregular at first, with most users losing their period entirely after 6-12 months.
When to Talk to Your Provider
- Side effects that have not improved after 3 months
- Severe mood changes (persistent depression or anxiety)
- Heavy bleeding that soaks through a pad or tampon every hour
- Signs of a blood clot: sudden leg pain/swelling, chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden severe headache
- Any side effect that significantly affects your daily quality of life
Tracking Your Side Effects
The bloom app lets you log symptoms daily and see patterns over time - privately, on your device. When it is time for a provider visit, you will have a clear record to share instead of relying on memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do birth control side effects last?
Most hormonal side effects peak in weeks 1-4 and improve by month 3. If side effects have not improved after 3 months, talk to your provider about adjusting the method or dose.
Which birth control has the fewest side effects?
The copper IUD has no hormonal side effects. Among hormonal methods, the hormonal IUD tends to have the fewest systemic side effects because most of the progestin stays local in the uterus.
Can birth control cause depression?
Some users report mood changes including depressive symptoms, especially on methods with higher progestin doses. Track your mood with the bloom app to spot patterns and discuss them with your provider.
When should I contact my provider about side effects?
Contact your provider if side effects have not improved after 3 months, you experience severe mood changes, heavy bleeding, or signs of a blood clot (sudden leg pain, chest pain, difficulty breathing).