Femcon Fe Side Effects

Although most women do not experience problems with Femcon Fe, side effects are possible. Some of the common bothersome side effects include headaches, nausea, and mood swings. In most cases, these side effects are minor and easily treated. However, you should seek medical care if you develop more serious side effects of Femcon Fe, such as chest pain or migraines.

 

An Introduction to Femcon Fe Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Femcon™ Fe (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol). However, not all women who use the contraceptive will experience side effects. In fact, most women tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Often, some of the bothersome side effects of Femcon Fe improve (or even go away completely) within the first few cycles of use.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Femcon Fe. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Femcon Fe side effects with you.)
 

Common Femcon Fe Side Effects

In clinical studies for most medications, one group of people receives the actual medication, while another group is given a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients). The side effects in both groups are carefully documented and compared. As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine. However, it is not possible to use a placebo in clinical trials for contraceptives, as this would lead to many unintentional pregnancies.
 
It is difficult to obtain much information about side effects from studies that do not use a placebo. In fact, the side effects listed in the prescribing information for Femcon Fe are actually side effects of all birth control pills in general. Some of the common bothersome (but not usually dangerous) side effects of birth control pills include:
 
  • Breast tenderness or swelling
  • Abnormal Pap smear results
  • Acne (although many women notice an improvement in acne)
  • Bladder infections (urinary tract infections or UTIs)
  • Mood swings
  • Weight gain (see Femcon Fe and Weight Gain)
  • Headaches
  • Vaginal yeast infections
  • Upper respiratory tract infections (such as the common cold) or sinus infections
  • Nausea
  • Menstrual cramps (although many women have less cramping)
  • Bleeding or spotting between periods (known as breakthrough bleeding).
     
(Femcon Fe Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;