13 Signs You're On The Wrong Birth Control

Birth control has been around for quite some time. When the pill was first introduced in the 1960s, it brought with it a slew of side effects that left many women feeling like they might be better off without it (via WebMD). Since then, birth control has made some incredible advances. Not only does the birth control of today deliver hormones in lower doses, but there is also a range of methods to choose from, like pills, rings, patches, and intrauterine devices (IUDs), per Planned Parenthood.

While many use hormonal contraception to prevent pregnancy, this medication can also help treat conditions related to the menstrual cycle, like premenstrual syndrome (PMS). While it's great that there are so many birth control options out there, it can be hard to find one that works best for you. Our needs change over time, and sometimes what worked great during your twenties no longer cuts it when you reach your thirties. If this is the case, it's time to make an appointment with your doctor to figure out the best birth control method for you. Speaking to Self, gynecologist Stacy De-Lin emphasized the importance of finding a method that you feel most comfortable with. "I always just say the best contraception is the one that works for you. It's the one that you like, the one that you appreciate using, and doesn't cause you any issues." Read on for signs that indicate you're on the wrong birth control, and that it's time for a change.

While birth control is pretty safe, those who struggle with migraines need to be extra careful, especially if the tend to experience any vision changes alongside migraine pain, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale Medical School Mary Jane Minkin told Women's Health. She explains that research conducted on the subject has shown that people who experience these types of migraines are more likely to develop blood clots and suffer a stroke when they take birth control. However, keep in mind that birth control doesn't necessarily cause these migraines. In some cases, it simply exacerbates them, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Speaking to Bustle, Kelly Kasper, OB/GYN, said that migraines won't always automatically put you at higher risk for blood clots and stroke when using contraceptives. However, it's important your doctor knows about your history with migraines so they can prescribe a birth control method that won't make them worse. Minkin says that sometimes your doctor will suggest you try a non-hormonal contraceptive, like a copper IUD (via Women's Health).

If you're experiencing regular headaches when you first start using birth control, it might not be anything to worry about. According to a 2005 review published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, around 10% of people who start hormonal contraceptives experience headaches within the first month of using them. However, if you constantly notice headaches making a reappearance, OB/GYN Tia Jackson-Bey told Cosmopolitan that it's best to see your doctor.

For most of us, dealing with our period once a month is more than enough, so when you start noticing breakthrough bleeding when you're on birth control, you might be annoyed and even a little worried. But apparently, this experience is pretty common. "By and far, the most common reason why people switch [birth control] is irregular vaginal bleeding. And that's across the board for all methods," gynecologist Susan E. Pesci told Insider. She added that if this doesn't really bother you and it's the only side effect you're experiencing, it might be a good idea to simply stay on the birth control method you're using. However, if irregular bleeding is driving you mad, it's a good idea to speak to your doctor about an alternative contraceptive method.

Other contraceptives, like hormonal IUDs, can make your period lighter or cause it to stop altogether, Robin Watkins, a women's-health nurse practitioner, told Cosmopolitan. Switching to a copper IUD, on the other hand, might cause your period to become heavier than normal. Your doctor will be able to gauge which option is best to help prevent you from experiencing breakthrough bleeding.

If you're constantly experiencing irritation or itching in your vaginal area after having sex, condoms might be to blame, believe it or not. While this is the most common and simplest form of birth control, the latex some condoms are made of can cause allergies, OB/GYN Jamie Nolan told Bustle. "You may need to make the switch to polyurethane or lambskin condoms, which don't contain latex," Nolan advises, adding, "[You] may also be allergic to the condom's spermicide, so it's best to get tested for allergies and determine what your triggers are."

Constantly dealing with vaginal infections can also be a sign that you're on the wrong birth control. Some methods, like the diaphragm, put you at higher risk of developing infections, OB/GYN Sherry Ross says (via Bustle). She recommends women don't use the diaphragm as their primary birth control for this very reason.

Other methods of birth control, like the vaginal ring, patch, and pills, can also lead to vaginal infections, most commonly yeast infections, according to Healthline. Because hormonal birth control contains synthetic estrogen and progestin, it sometimes messes with the body's natural estrogen and progesterone levels, which leads to yeast overgrowth. Hello, itching! If you're constantly experiencing infections, let your doctor know so they can adjust your birth control accordingly.

Ovarian cysts are quite common and usually nothing to worry about (via Mayo Clinic), but if you have recurring cysts that give you trouble, your birth control might be to blame. Some birth control might cause cysts that need medical attention, whereas other contraceptives can actually help diminish the formation of cysts, family physician Robin Wallace explains in Bedsider. She adds that usually women don't even know that they have cysts on their ovaries, but symptoms of a problem can include pain during intercourse, bloating, stomach or pelvic pain, and discomfort while having a bowel movement. Cysts can also cause more severe symptoms like sudden, intense pelvic pain that is accompanied by dizziness, nausea, or fainting.

Wallace says that the mini pill (also known as the progestin-only pill) tends to promote the formation of cysts because of how it affects ovulation. Speaking to Bustle, Dr. Sheila Loanzon warned that the Mirena IUD, Depo-Provera injection, and Nexplanon rod could also play a role in the development of cysts. Those who've had cysts in the past may want to steer clear of these birth control methods and rather opt for contraceptives that help prevent their formation in the first place. "The pill, the patch, the ring, and the shot are most reliable at blocking ovulation, so using these methods may mean fewer ovarian cysts," Wallace writes (via Bedsider).

Most of the time, experiencing mood swings as your period creeps closer is pretty normal, but sometimes, hormonal birth control can make them a lot worse. This is actually a pretty common side effect, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin told Women's Health. However, doctors are still scratching their heads when it comes to figuring out why that is. "We don't necessarily know how exactly it affects the brain, but we do know that certain kinds of progestin affect women's emotions differently," Minkin explains.

A 2013 study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology discovered that 4-10% of women who use hormonal birth control experience intense mood swings. A 2001 study published in Contraception concluded that extreme mood swings and generally experiencing worse PMS symptoms are definite indications that it's time to switch to another form of contraception.

WebMD suggests making lifestyle changes like eating healthier and exercising before deciding to discontinue or switch to other birth control. However, if you're feeling tired all the time or experiencing depressive symptoms, it's likely a sign that it's time to explore other options.

Another telltale sign that you're on the wrong birth control is when you always forget to take your daily contraceptive pill, no matter how hard you try to stay on track. According to Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, this is a common issue: "If you look at many studies of birth control usage, women tend to forget an average of four pills a month," she told Women's Health. She added that forgetting every now and then is not such a big deal, but constantly failing to take your birth control on time is a sign that you need to switch to something that's not dependent on you remembering to take it.

Minkin says IUDs and the patch are good options. After all, forgetting to take your daily pill can render your birth control ineffective, which defeats the entire purpose. "About half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended," Minkin told Self, adding that most of those people can usually testify that they were using birth control at the time. That's why it's vital you remember to take your daily pill. If you can't, Minkin says it's crucial you speak to your doctor about switching to a method you don't have to think about every day.