What You Need to Know About Camila Side Effects

Camila is a type of progestin-only birth control pill (POP). It’s often called the mini-pill because it contains norethindrone, a form of progesterone, and no estrogen. This female hormone prevents pregnancy in about half of women by stopping ovulation. For the remainder of women, this hormone works by making vaginal fluid thicker and changing the lining of the uterus. These effects keep sperm from reaching an egg and prevent fertilized eggs from attaching to the uterus. Fertilized eggs pass out of the body instead.

Camila is more effective than using barrier methods such as condoms or a diaphragm. However, you may need to use a backup when you start using it if you’re more than three hours late taking your daily dose. Although Camila is extremely effective in preventing pregnancy, it also has a long list of possible side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

Irregular Bleeding

Even if you’re not pregnant, you could experience spotting, irregular bleeding, or longer periods on Camila. About one-half of users have this side effect. Fortunately, side effects such as nausea, dizziness, breast tenderness, and weight gain are less likely with the mini-pill than with a pill that contains estrogen as well as progestin.

Blood Clots

Birth control can increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, blood clots, high blood pressure, or other problems with blood circulation in your body. POPs such as Camila won’t raise your risk as much as birth control methods that contain estrogen. However, you should let your doctor know if you have a history of these issues or if you smoke and you’re older than 35 years of age. Smokers and older adults are more likely to have circulatory problems.

No matter what your medical history is like, get help immediately if you experience dizziness; pain in your chest, jaw, or left arm; confusion; fainting; slurred speech; trouble breathing; weakness on one side of your body; severe headaches; or changes in your vision. If you plan to take a long flight or have surgery that requires you to stay in bed and recover, you may need to stop your medication temporarily to prevent blood clots.  

An Ectopic Pregnancy

The progestin in Camila won’t hurt your baby if you take it before you find out that you’re pregnant. However, it increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy where an embryo implants itself outside the uterus. Embryos can attach themselves to one of your fallopian tubes, one of your ovaries, your cervix, or your abdominal cavity. 

You should see a doctor immediately if you become pregnant while on Camila and you experience severe abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding. If your body doesn’t reabsorb the embryo quickly, an ectopic pregnancy could cause dangerous internal bleeding.

Additional Common and Rare Side Effects of Camila

The most common side effect associated with Camila use include is irregular uterine bleeding, as mentioned before. You may bleed heavier at some points while not bleeding at all for months. Some of the less common side effects include skin rash, mental depression, and an unexpected flow of breast milk.

As with all types of birth control, there are some side effects that may occur that don’t necessarily mean you need to seek immediate medical attention. However, if you notice any of the side effects worsening instead of becoming better, it’s best to visit your doctor for an exam. Your physician can provide advice on ways to prevent or reduce the severity of the side effects. As your body adjusts to the birth control, there’s a good chance the side effects will go away.

If you notice any of the following side effects and they don’t get better within a few weeks, make sure to reach out to your doctor:

• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Mood changes
• Diarrhea
• Mild headache
• Nervousness
• Weight gain
• Vomiting
• Swelling of face
• Unusual weakness

Also important to understand is that you may endure side effects once you stop taking Camila. Once again, as your body adjusts back to not having this medicine on a regular basis, the side effects are likely to go away. If they persist, you’ll want to contact your doctor. 

What Drugs Affect the Camila?

There is a long list of drugs that impact the effectiveness of Camila. Some of these drugs may also lead to unwanted side effects when paired with the Camila. Such drugs include:

• St. John’s wort
• Griseofulvin
• Rifampin
• Amobarbital
• Phenobarbital
• Viracept
• Reyataz
• Aptivus
• Crixivan
• Invirase
• Kaletra

There are many other drugs that can interact with Camila. This is why it’s so important to provide your doctor with a detailed list of any medications you are on, including over-the-counter medications. Whether it’s an herbal product or vitamin, make sure to tell your doctor everything that you take. Also, consult with your doctor before taking any new medications. 

How to Reduce Likelihood of Side Effects

Using Camila the proper way is a great way to reduce the likelihood of side effects. You should always take it as well as any other medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It’s important to take Camila at the same time every day. This not only increases its effectiveness but ensures you stay in a good routine of remembering to take it. 

Any time you take the pill three hours later than normal, this is the same as missing a dose. This can cause Camila to not work properly. To keep track of your dosage schedule, it’s recommended to keep your pills in the container that you received them in.

If you’re taking Camila, birth control side effects are always a concern. However, Camila is ideal for women who can’t use a form of birth control with estrogen and for women who are breastfeeding. As long as you remember to take it at about the same time every day, Camila can be a very effective form of birth control. If you endure any of the side effects mentioned above and they don’t go away within one to two weeks, contact your doctor to set up an exam.