Is the birth control pill the solution for PCOS?
The birth control pill has been around since the 1960’s and has become one of the most commonly prescribed medications for females. Since it has been used for such a long time, doctors are quick to recommend it for preventing pregnancy, regulating cycles, reducing cramps, to help with acne and hirsutism, and to help with hormonal imbalances like PCOS.
The birth control pill may help some issues but it doesn’t cure them.
The birth control pill is masking what is going on with your body. For example, if you are a woman with PCOS, your symptoms might improve on the pill but if you ever decide to come off of birth control your symptoms will return and in some cases be WORSE than before.
What doctors tend to gloss over are the side effects of the birth control pill. The birth control pill can have some pretty serious side effects and most women have no clue about them. These side effects can be especially dangerous to women with PCOS as they are already at an increased risk for some of these conditions/side effects.
This article is not meant to be anti-birth control. In fact, I was on the birth control pill for over a decade (and I wish I had this knowledge then). This article’s goal is to educate you about the birth control pill so you can be an informed consumer and make decisions that are right for you and your body.
What’s the birth control pill and how does it work?
Before we can get started, it is important to understand what the pill is and how it works.
The birth control pill, also known as oral contraception, is a medication that contains synthetic hormones taken daily to prevent pregnancy.
There are two different types of birth control pills: combination pills and progestin-only pills. Each pill works a little differently to prevent pregnancy.
The combination pill works by preventing the release of an egg also known as ovulation. The hormones estrogen and progestin (hence the term combination) cause cervical mucus to thicken which prevents sperm from meeting the egg. The combination pill is the most common type used by women.
The progestin-only pills also known as the mini-pill works by causing the cervical mucus to thicken and the lining of the uterus to thin. This prevents sperm from reaching the egg. Women who are breastfeeding or have trouble with the combination pill usually use this type. Although, progestin-only isn’t as effective as the combination pill.
In order for the birth control pill to be effective, you need to take the pill at the same time every day.
Why is the birth control pill prescribed for PCOS?
Most doctors will prescribe the birth control pill for PCOS.
The pill is believed to help with irregular periods, acne, excessive hair growth, and weight gain (classic PCOS symptoms).
The pill suppresses testosterone, which helps women with PCOS because they have higher than normal amounts of androgen or males hormones. Women who take the birth control pill will see an improvement in symptoms such as acne and excess hair growth.
Is the pill good for PCOS?
The birth control pill will not cure your PCOS. There is no cure for PCOS.
The birth control pill will mask your symptoms while you are taking it. Once you stop taking the pill, you stop suppressing testosterone and as a result, your symptoms will come back.
In order to effectively manage your PCOS symptoms, you need to address the root cause. One of the underlying issues with PCOS that needs to be properly addressed is insulin resistance.
Birth control pill side effects
Increased risk of blot clots, heart attack, and stroke
This is no joke! This risk also increases if you are a smoker, overweight, or over the age of 35.
The birth control pill can increase your risk of developing a blood clot by 3-4 times.
Doctors have found a link between birth control pills and an increase in blood pressure. And we know that high blood pressure is a warning sign of cardiac issues and can lead to a stroke.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. And if you are someone with a family history of heart disease and strokes, you might want to reconsider the birth control pill.
Women with PCOS are also known to be at 7 times greater risk for a heart attack and 4 times greater risk for stroke. PCOS also puts you at greater risk to develop high blood pressure and high cholesterol. You must be careful if you have PCOS and use the birth control pill because these are serious risks that are already a concern for women with PCOS.
Increased risk of cancer
According to the World Health Organization, the birth control pill is “carcinogenic to humans”.
Why isn’t anyone telling women this? So many women will have used the birth control pill at one point or another in their life for different reasons and no one is telling us how harmful it really is.
Studies show that women who use the birth control pill are at an increased risk for breast and cervical cancers. The longer that you are on the pill, the more likely the risk increased.
The good news is that the risk for both breast cancer and cervical cancers did decline after the use of oral contraceptives stopped.
It can delay conception
You are most likely on the pill because you didn’t want to get pregnant. So when you want to get pregnant, it should be as easy as stopping the pill right? Not necessarily.
It can take a while before your natural hormones regulate after stopping the pill. And if you had irregular cycles or weren’t ovulating before trying to get pregnant might be a challenge.
Remember the pill is not correcting any existing or previous problems that you might have had.
Learn how to manage your PCOS on your own terms! All the resources you need to kick PCOS’ ass in one guide!!
Alters your gut bacteria
More and more studies are finding that the health of your gut impacts your overall health. It makes sense, everything you ingest gets broken down by your digestive tract. That is how the body extracts nutrients it needs and how it eliminates toxins.
A healthy gut removes estrogen from the body through the bowels. If your gut isn’t functioning properly estrogen gets reabsorbed back into the body and can cause cramping, bloating, and heavy periods.
The pill impacts your gut by disrupting its normal flora or bacteria. It creates an environment where yeast and harmful bacteria can grow. This can cause gas, bloating, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, acne, eczema, and leaky gut syndrome.
The pill can inflame the digestive tract and increase your risk for autoimmune diseases. In fact, this study shows that there is a 300% increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease if you take the pill.
Leads to nutrient deficiencies
The pill depletes a lot of vital nutrients that the body needs.
It is known to deplete vitamins:
B1
B2
B5
B6
B9 which is also known as folate
B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Copper
Magnesium
Selenium
Zinc
Selenium and zinc are important for your thyroid. So it is important to run labs to monitor your thyroid function while on the pill.
Nutrient deficiencies can negatively impact your gut health. And we know how important your gut health is to your overall health.
If you are going to take the pill, make sure you are having routine blood work to check your nutrient levels and make sure you are supplementing in these areas.
Increases insulin resistance
The pill contributes to inflammation and inflammation can cause insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar.
A 2016 study found that women who used the pill for more than six months had a significantly increased risk of developing diabetes in postmenopause. Women who took the pill and who weren’t diabetic were found to have significantly elevated levels of insulin. Birth control users are diagnosed with diabetes at a younger age. The bottom line is that women who have used the birth control pill for over six months had a significant risk factor for developing diabetes.
About 70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance already. So giving women with PCOS the pill will only continue to exacerbate insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance is the reason women with PCOS struggle with weight gain, acne, excess hair growth, hair loss, and irregular periods. For women with PCOS, getting insulin resistance in control will greatly impact their health and improve symptoms. One of the best ways to help manage insulin resistance is with diet, exercise, and a supplement like Ovasitol which helps to improve insulin sensitivity and promote normal hormone levels.
Alters your mood
The pill can alter your mood. Yes, this is true! It isn’t all in your head, and I hate it when people say that! There is a connection between the birth control pill and anxiety and depression.
Here are some staggering facts about the pill and depression that Dr. Jolene Brighten references in her book Beyond the Pill.
Women taking combination birth control pills were 23% more likely to be prescribed antidepressants.
Teens were 80% more likely to develop depression when taking the combination pill.
Women who take the progestin-only pill (mini-pill) were 34% more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant.
When taking the progestin-only pill, teens saw a two-fold increase in their risk for depression.
Young women who use hormonal contraceptives have three times the risk of suicide.
Teens have double the risk of suicide after one year on the pill and are at a 30% higher risk after seven years on hormonal birth control.
Suicide risk peaks around two months after beginning hormonal birth control.
Wow! These are some pretty important results and statistics to consider before popping that pill. This is especially critical for women with PCOS. Over 60% of women with PCOS have mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder.
Decreases libido
The birth control pill lowers your levels of testosterone. Which is good if you have higher levels of testosterone like many women with PCOS.
But with decreased levels of testosterone, you can then experience a low sex drive. This can also result in vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and difficulty achieving orgasm. You are trading one problem for another.
According to several studies, women are experiencing declines in sexual function and desire due to the pill.
One study in Germany found that 37% of pill users reported at least one sign of sexual dysfunction.
Another study in Sweden found that 27% of pill users had a decrease in sexual desire.
Lithuanian researchers also found that pill users had reported significantly lower libido and sexual arousal than their non-pill user counterparts.
Disrupts thyroid function
Your thyroid is responsible for metabolism, energy, mood, and your menstrual cycle. It is important to have an optimally functioning thyroid gland.
When your thyroid gland isn’t working properly you can experience weight gain, depression, dry skin, cold intolerance, fatigue, hair loss, forgetfulness.
It is estimated that 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease and women are five to eight times more likely than men to have a thyroid problem.
The pill can impact your thyroid gland function. The pill depletes some vital nutrients like selenium, zinc, and B vitamins which are needed to manufacture thyroid hormones.
The pill also increases thyroid-binding globulin (TBG). When you have higher levels of TBG your free thyroid hormone is bound and is now unavailable to your cells.
There is also a connection between PCOS and thyroid disease. It is estimated that 25% of women with PCOS also have a thyroid condition!
Alternatives to the pill for PCOS
I’m going to break this down into two different sections for you. Because you might be taking the pill for different reasons.
Natural treatment options for PCOS
If you are taking the birth control pill to manage your PCOS symptoms then there are other solutions and natural treatment options.
To successfully manage your PCOS symptoms you need to get to the root cause. And for the majority of women with PCOS that usually relates to some degree of insulin resistance.
Here are several articles that will help you manage your insulin resistance.
10 Ways to reduce insulin resistance with PCOS
Ovasitol for PCOS: Does it live up to the hype?
4 Natural Alternatives to Metformin
Also, if you want help, I have a 7-day kick start diet and exercise plan that helped me beat insulin resistance!
Natural birth control alternatives
If you are on the pill because you are not ready to start a family just yet, then these alternatives are for you.
Condoms- Male or Female
Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)
Diaphragms
Cervical cap
Sponge
Copper IUD
A fertility tracker like Daysy Use code DaysyUS+259 to save $15.
Tubal Ligation (this is a permanent method)
Resources to get you off the pill safely
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand the birth control pill better and how it can impact your health and most importantly your PCOS.
After becoming better educated, I have decided that I will not go back to using the pill. Over a decade worth of use has done enough damage and I don’t want to cause any more.
If you have decided that you want to ditch the pill, here are some great resources to provide you with further education and assistance during the transition. I highly recommend the books The Hormone Cure and Beyond the Pill. Dr. Sara Gottfried and Dr. Jolene Brighten are amazing doctors who specialize in women's hormones and who are fierce advocates for women.
The Truth about the birth control pill
While the birth control pill has been around for a long time and is used by 80% of women, it doesn’t come without its side effects. It is important to know your medical history and to review the side effects. Some women should not use the birth control pill, the side effects can be too dangerous and risky. As with anything, it is important to do your research, ask questions, and weigh the pros and cons when making a decision based on your personal situation.
The items listed above are accompanied by affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if a purchase is made through my links. This has no impact on the cost to the consumer. I link to products this way whenever possible, and it has no bearing on the products I choose to review or recommend.
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