You cannot just go to the store and choose any pack of birth control pills you like. Even though birth control pills are safe for most women, they are individual and may have specific side effects and/or risks. Additionally, your body may react to the hormones that oral contraceptives contain.

Here are 5 reasons why you should consult your ob-gyn when deciding to use oral contraception.

1. Less than 10 women out of 10 thousand suffer a blood clot as a result of taking birth control each year, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  
2. The risk of a blood clot from the pill is higher for women who are obese, have high blood pressure, or have limited activity and movement due to being in bed for long periods.
3. Contraceptive pills contain various doses of hormones, each of which has a particular effect on a woman’s body.
4. The choice of contraceptive depends on age, hormone level, possible diseases of the non-reproductive organs, plans for pregnancy, body mass index, bad habits, and lifestyle, etc.
5. Possible side effects of birth control, such as nausea, breast tenderness, decreased sex drive, and bleeding between periods, are likely to improve within a few months of using the pill. However, if they don’t, you should see your doctor.