Were you taking an oral birth control pill like Camila and suffered severe side effects or became pregnant? Just as with any medication, before you started taking the mini pill, your doctor should have reviewed how it works and some problems that are associated with the popular contraceptive.

What is Camila and How does it Work?
Camila is a brand name of the birth control pill that contains the hormone norethindrone or progestin. It thickens the wall of the uterus and the mucus of the vagina. This prevents sperm from reaching an unfertilized egg, and if the egg is fertilized, it prevents the egg from attaching to the uterus. The egg will be flushed out with your next period. It does not stop your monthly cycle and does not stop your body from releasing eggs each month. It is considered to be 99% effective in preventing conception when taken exactly as prescribed.

Common Side Effects of Camila
Minor and common side effects associated with Camila and other progestin-only contraceptives include being nauseous after taking the pill. You may also experience headaches, weight gain, and water retention. Some users report spotting or bleeding and irregular periods. Another side effect that does not appear as often is higher blood pressure. Serious side effects include blood clots, which can lead to death. In very few patients, a severe allergic reaction can interfere with breathing. The serious side effects are rare.

Unexpected Results Associated with The Mini Pill
While Camila--also known as The Mini Pill--helps your body resist conception, it is not a 100% guarantee. It is not a spermicide and does not limit your fertility. If you have missed two periods, it is recommended that you take a pregnancy test as soon as possible. Using any type of oral contraceptive will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, herpes, Chlamydia, or AIDS.

Is Camila Safer than the Pill?
Camila is a progestin-only contraceptive compared to the more traditional oral pill that uses both estrogen and progestin to control your body's monthly cycle. Both report similar side effects and the combination pill is considered more effective for contraception. Neither pill is recognized as being a safer option except in cases where the patient cannot take estrogen for several medical reasons in which case Camila is recommended.

My Birth Control did not work! What can I do?
If you were prescribed Camila and became pregnant, it may not be the fault of the medication or your doctor. Camila is a continuous medication. For it to be the most effective, it must be taken at the same time each day. If you miss your dose by as little as three hours, it may not provide the contraceptive benefit that you need. If you skipped a dose, you must take it on time for another three days to optimize its protection again.

If you took your dose as prescribed and became pregnant, you may want to check the expiration date on your pill pack. If you received a prescription that is out of date, you may have a claim against the pharmacy. If the date was good, but it is determined that the pill contained the wrong or ineffective compound, you would want to take the manufacturer to court. You may have a claim for being injured by defective drugs.

I suffered blood clots from my Camila pill. Should I sue?
Blood clots are a known, but fairly uncommon side effect associated with all birth control pills. Before you were prescribed the mini pill, your doctor should have taken a full family medical history. If other members of your family suffered strokes, deep-vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism, that would indicate that you would be at a higher risk of clots or stroke. If your doctor prescribed the pill without discussing these risks with you, you may wish to consult with an attorney regarding the prescription.

Why did my doctor prescribe Camila instead of the Regular Pill?
Some women find that the combination birth control pill brings too many unwanted side effects. If your doctor thought that taking estrogen was not recommended for you with your medical history, they may have opted for prescribing Camila. Perhaps you voiced a wish to avoid taking the combination pill but wanted something with the same protection and convenience. There are many possible reasons, and your doctor should discuss those choices with you before writing any prescription.

If you think that you were injured from defective drugs, do not hesitate to contact an attorney with experience in this field. Receiving compensation from the doctor, manufacturer, or your pharmacy can be complicated and time-consuming. A professional can help you determine what was truly wrong and who should be held accountable in your situation.