How do side effects and contraindications of birth control methods differ?

Sometimes the difference between side effects and contraindications is confusing. Side effects are the changes that can occur in our bodies as the result of using a particular medication or device. Side effects can be mild or severe and can vary greatly from person to person. For example, the side effects of hormonal methods may include mood changes, breast tenderness, and mild headaches. A side effect of some barrier methods may be an increase in urinary tract infections.

Often it is the minor side effects that influence our choices in contraception. Contraindications are the physical conditions or circumstances that put some people at risk of danger from using a particular medication or device. For example, it is contraindicated for a woman who is over age thirty-five and smokes to use birth control pills, because they will considerably increase her risk of stroke. As another example, having current breast cancer is a contraindication to using any hormonal method. A contraindication means that by using that particular method of birth control you may increase your risk of a serious problem.