Do Birth Control Side Effects Make It Worth Skipping?
Recently, health influencers on Instagram and TikTok have been vocal about the side effects of hormonal birth control. Check out the most popular videos on the subject, and you’ll hear horror stories about sex drive and skin texture, depression and weight fluctuation. But doctors say that while some side effects are possible, the most extreme stories are often the rarest cases. And one of the most common side effects of not taking birth control … is unplanned pregnancy.
Interested in more health science? Email us your question at [email protected].
Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
You May Also Like

The Grave Talks | Haunted, Paranormal & Supernatural
Ghost Stores, Haunted, Paranormal & Supernatural Stories

Real Ghost Stories Online
Real Ghost Stories Online | Paranormal, Supernatural & Horror Radio

Sage Sociology
Sage Publications

La Science, CQFD
France Culture

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science
The Planetary Society

Experimental History
Adam Mastroianni

John Michael Godier's Event Horizon
John Michael Godier

DarshanTalks Podcast
Darshan Kulkarni

La Terre au carré
France Inter

The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
Wisenetix
Community discussion