Taking birth control pills is one of the various ways you can act responsible in a relationship. Certain birth control methods, however, can have unwanted side effects. Oral contraceptives in particular are known to cause mood swings if you use them irregularly.
Birth Control Pills and Mood Swings
Studies show that mood swings are more likely to occur not because youre using birth control pills but rather because of the irregularity of your use. In connection with that, not all oral contraceptives count mood swings as one of their possible side effects. Studies suggest that birth control pills containing progestin components are more likely to cause mood swings than other types of oral contraceptives.
The Different Types of Birth Control Methods
Upon choosing a new birth control method, its generally advised to give your preferred method a three month trial period. If your mood swings persist after that, consult your physician for a more effective contraceptive.
Progestin-Only Oral Birth Control Pill
This is said to be the kind of birth control method thats most prone to inducing mood swings. Also known as mini-pill, they prevent contraception by increasing the thickness of your bodys cervical mucus membrane. They do not contain estrogen, which is good, but they do require however accurate timing: if youre more than three hours late in taking your next pill, its best to take precautionary measures by taking a different birth control pill or method for the next 2 days.
Combined Oral Birth Control Pill
These pills contain a combination of progestin and estrogen. You take them twenty-one days each month, but youre free not to use them for one week without having to suffer any consequences. Their rate of effectiveness is said to be 99%.
Depo-Provera Shot
This is another progestin-only type of birth control, but instead of having to take pills you get a shot instead. Theyre said to be 99.9% effective but if you miss your shot by a few days then their effectiveness decreases to 97%. Again, since this contains progestin, depo-provera shots may make you suffer from mood swings from time to time.
Patches
If smokers have nicotine patches then responsible women have progestin or estrogen patches. Naturally, if you choose the patch containing progestin, youre immediately at risk of suffering from occasional mood swings.
For patches to work, they have to stay attached to your skin for three straight weeks. You are, however, able to take them off for the 4th week of the month without suffering any consequences. Patches are said to be 99% effective as well.
Diaphragms
Instead of working chemically to prevent contraception, birth control methods like diaphragms simply prevent you from conceiving by acting as a physical barrier. Since they do not use any hormones or even chemicals for birth control, they come with minimal, if any, side effects. They are not, however, as effective as the previous methods mentioned. At best, they offer 94% effectiveness but regular use could reduce its effectiveness to just 84%.
Nuva Ring
This is one of the lesser-known methods of birth control. It is inserted in a females vagina once a month. It releases progestin and estrogen to prevent contraception. Again, because of progestin, you are likely to suffer from mood swings if you use this inconsistently. Nuva rings are also not advisable for those with high blood pressure or are presently smoking.