Contraceptive Pill Side Effects and Their Prevalence Among Women Attending Maternal and Child Health Centers in the Kurdistan Region

Background and Aim: In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, contraceptive pills are widely used for family planning, but their side effects can significantly influence women’s health and healthcare-seeking behavior. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of side effects associated with contraceptive pills among women attending maternal and child health centers. Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from January to April 2023 in maternal and child health centers across Erbil, Sulaimani, and Duhok, using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic information, clinical history, and side effects of contraceptive pills. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and Chi-square tests were applied to examine associations between major side effects and demographic or clinical characteristics. Results: Among 671 participants, the most frequently reported side effects were painful or missed periods (44.7%), headache (44.4%), fatigue (38.0%), and vision problems (35.3%). Rare but notable complications included blood clots (1.8%), breast lumps (3.3%), stroke (0.3%), and heart attack (0.4%). Younger women (20–29 years) reported higher rates of painful or missed periods (50.0%), while combined pill users experienced significantly higher frequencies of all major side effects compared to progesterone-only users (p < 0.001). Duration of use and higher education level were also significantly associated with increased prevalence of side effects (p < 0.05). Healthcare-seeking behavior showed 57.7% of women with side effects consulted providers, with gynecologists most frequently approached. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that side effects of contraceptive pills are common among women in the Kurdistan Region, with significant variations by age, education, type, and duration of use. Strengthening counseling services and providing accurate information on potential side effects are essential for improving contraceptive adherence and safeguarding women’s reproductive health.