Share: 
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Seasonique™ (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol). However, not everyone who uses the contraceptive will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Seasonique. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
Common Side Effects of Seasonique
Seasonique has been thoroughly studied in clinical trials. In the studies for most medications, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and then compared to the side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. (These people take a placebo that does not contain any active ingredients).
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.
Because it is difficult to obtain much information about side effects from studies that do not use a placebo, only vague information is available about Seasonique side effects. In fact, the side effects listed in the prescribing information for Seasonique are actually side effects of all birth control pills in general -- not necessarily of Seasonique.
Some of the common side effects of birth control pills include but are not limited to:
- Breakthrough bleeding and spotting between periods
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness and enlargement
- Changes in your eyes that make it more difficult to wear contact lenses
- Headaches
- Acne
- Changes in sex drive.
Women are often concerned about weight gain due to birth control pills, but recent research suggests that birth control pills probably do not cause weight gain for most women (see Seasonique and Weight Gain).
Other Articles in This eMedTV Presentation
eMedTV Links
Copyright © 2006-2013 Clinaero, Inc.
eMedTV serves only as an informational resource. This site does not dispense medical advice or advice of any kind. Site users seeking medical advice about their specific situation should consult with their own physician. Click Terms of Use for more information.
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
eMedTV serves only as an informational resource. This site does not dispense medical advice or advice of any kind. Site users seeking medical advice about their specific situation should consult with their own physician. Click Terms of Use for more information.
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.