Common side effects associated with oral contraceptives include nausea, headache and breast tenderness. Serious side effects occur infrequently, especially if a woman is in good health and does not smoke. These may include blood clots, heart disease, stroke, liver tumors and gallbladder disease. Several studies have found no overall increase in the risk of developing breast cancer in women taking oral contraceptives. Some women should not use oral contraceptives, including those who have had blood clots, certain cancers, or a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant.
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects.
This risk increases with age and is most pronounced in women older than age 35. Women on oral contraceptives should not smoke. In addition, oral contraceptives do not protect a woman against HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases. It also is a leader in vaccines, biotechnology, agricultural products, animal health care and medical devices. This information is provided for educational purposes only.