However, among all women less than 35 years and among nonsmoking women less than 45 years, there are no significant differences in death rates from circulatory diseases between those who take the pill and those who don't. The number of such deaths in women in their early 20s is so small that accurate conclusions cannot be drawn. Other side effects of pill use, such as weight gain, may bother some women, but do not cause serious health problems. Women who use the pill may experience slight weight gain as a result of cyclical fluid retention or increased appetite. A clinician can monitor any weight fluctuations and may change your pill prescription as needed to modify any hormonal effects.
Nausea can be a problem on the pill but usually lessens after the first few months.
Pills should be taken with meals if nausea occurs. Some pill users experience depression, while others have increased feelings of well-being. Depression on the pill may often be related to a deficiency of vitamin B6 and can be treated with a diet supplement. In general, numerous medical studies over the past 25 years, involving hundreds of thousands of women, show that for most healthy young women, the benefits of using the pill outweigh the risks. Pills do not interrupt lovemaking and provide protection every day of the month.