Are birth control pills safe, or do they cause more harm than good?

Asking cuz my doctor perscribed Yasmin. I asked him about horror stories I heard about the pill (in general) and he said for the most part people blame health/mental effects on the pill, when really they have other underlying issues that are causing their health/mental problems for example, relationship issues that cause anxiety/depression/eating more (weight gain) ect, and that actually in most cases, it's not the pill directly causing these effects.

What do you think?

Thx for your input. :)

I think that for the vast majority of the MILLIONS of women around the world who take the pill, it is VERY safe and VERY effective.

There are those who have undiagnosed (and sometimes undisclosed -- this is why it in incredibly important to be ABSOLUTELY upfront with your doctor!) conditions that the pill exacerbates (makes worse), and there are those whom the pill really DOES do bad things to. But for the most part, the pill is very safe.

Just be sure you know your body. If you don't feel right, ask to switch formulations after a couple months' adjustment. There's no harm in changing...that's why there are literally dozens of different formulas on the market...because the pill is NOT a one-size-fits-all type of contraceptive.

well ive been on it for seven months, but im on the kind that doesn't stop periods, just reduces, and im taking them more for that and it stops cramps...i think though that the kind that stops periods so you have only four... are unnatural and unhealthy.
weight gain, hm you only gain at the most 2 pounds.
and for me, i mean the pill only helped my relationship. no mood swings or fatigue like when i had my periods before.
people blame alot on the pill and the thing is, you have to find which kind is right for you. the first kind i got gave me terrible headaches, but ive been on a different one for two months and everything is great! side effects are very unlikely when you find that RIGHT pill

I was on yasmin for 2 years, and it really did good for me. I regulated my period, caused absolutely NO weight gain like other pills might, lighter periods, fewer cramps, and helped with the little acne that I had. I've never been on anything else, but definitely recommend it! Worked well for me! I know it's been proven that some BC does have adverse reactions in certain cases, but so does absolutely every other medicine out there.

i think it's true what your doc says. i've been on 3 diff pills (trinessa, trisprintec and now yaz) i have never had any problems. no anxiety, no vomiting, no dizziness, no weight gain or any of the other things people will claim to get.

Read true information about positive effects and side effects of pills in http://www.menstrual-cycle.info. Before starting you need to know everything about pills and dual contraception.
Be Healthy and Happy!

i have personally been on the pill for about 5-6 years now and have had no negative side effects. like your doctor said, its usually another issue and people blame it on the pill

i've been on birth control for 11 years now and i've never had a reaction or side effects from it