What Does Birth Control Do to Your Body: Understanding the Impact
Birth control is an effective contraceptive option not only used to prevent pregnancy but also by medical professionals to treat other health conditions like PMS, acne, and Endometriosis.
According to a survey by CDC conducted in 2017-2019, 65 percent of women aged 15-49 use birth control.
However, despite being a reliable contraceptive used widely, it also has some other noticeable positive and negative impacts on the body.
For an efficient and safe use of birth control, one must understand these associated effects to avoid risks.
This article provides the answer to what birth control does to your body in an attempt to raise awareness about the contraceptive and the changes that the body goes through during its use.
How does birth control affect your body
Birth control encompasses contraceptive options for pregnancy prevention, and one of their subtypes is hormonal birth control.
Hormonal birth control includes:
- Birth control pills: They are of two types,Combination pills (that contain both Progesterone and Estrogen) and Progestin-only pills. Both pills contain man-made hormones that mimic the effect of pregnancy
- Intrauterine Devices (IUD): IUDs can be with or without hormones. The ones with hormones contain Progesterone, which aids in inhibiting pregnancy
- Patches: They also have a combination of Progesterone and Estrogen for pregnancy prevention. They are worn once a week for three consecutive weeks
- Ring: It also releases Progesterone and Estrogen and is inserted in the vagina to avoid pregnancy
- Implants: This contraceptive is placed under the skin in the upper arm by a doctor, and it releases Progesterone to offer pregnancy protection for three years
For being an effective contraceptive, they alters the level of natural hormones in the body, which affects the body in certain ways.
Menstrual cycle
For ovulation, the ovaries produce hormones Estrogen and Progesterone, which are also released by hormonal contraceptives like the pill.
They affect the natural hormonal balance of the body, which aids in stopping ovulation.
Alongside, cervical mucus is also thickened, and the lining of the uterus thins.
This can lead to spotting or breakthrough bleeding and some irregularities in the menstrual cycle.
Sometimes, it may prove beneficial for women having Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), as it uplifts mood and makes the periods lighter and less painful.
One must seek guidance from a doctor for the right birth control option and dosage according to the severity of symptoms before using it for PMS and PMDD treatment.
Symptoms similar to pregnancy
Birth control affects the hormonal balance of the body, tricking it into considering high hormone levels for pregnancy.
This can result in pregnancy-like symptoms.
These may include bloating, fatigue, sore or swollen breasts, and mood swings.
Acne
Birth control, especially oral contraceptives, is known to improve acne.
However, it takes them some time to improve their breakout.
Also, the body requires time to adapt to the hormonal changes caused by birth control.
So, fluctuations can result in acne.
Out of all hormonal contraceptives, Progestin-only methods are more likely to cause or worsen acne.
Moreover, stopping birth control can cause acne to come back if it diminishes due to birth control use.
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YasminFemilonDepression
Depression is a common complaint of women on birth control.
Some women even end up quitting birth control due to this side effect.
All known hormonal contraceptives are associated with Depression, amongst which Progesterone-only pills have the highest risk.
Even non-oral contraceptives like Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) result in Depression.
The reason is the presence of hormones Progesterone and Estrogen in birth control, which affect brain function.
These side effects are more commonly observed in women with an individual or family history of psychiatric illness like Depression.
Body odor
Some women report sweating, and body odor changes due to birth control, but there is no evidence to support these claims.
However, it can decrease the ability of women to differentiate body odor during the withdrawal period.
Serious complications
Even though the chances of complications are rare, birth control can cause serious health issues.
These may involve tumors, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots, which can result in death.
These risks are mainly associated with combination pills.
Does birth control change your body shape
It is a widespread notion that birth control can change body shape or result in weight gain.
However, no studies so far have reported weight gain or change in body shape due to pills, patches, IUDs, or rings as a side effect.
However, for some women, birth control can bring additional side effects like increased appetite or fluid retention.
If such cases are not managed, weight gain can be noticed as an indirect consequence.
Conclusion
Birth control includes various ways to prevent pregnancy, out of which one option is hormonal contraceptives.
They work by interfering with the natural hormonal balance, which can affect the body in numerous ways.
It can lead to a disrupted menstrual cycle, depression, acne, and symptoms similar to pregnancy.
In rare cases, complications like liver issues, stroke, tumors, and even death can occur.
To avoid these, one must consult a doctor and discuss the best option and associated risks for a personalized choice.
With awareness, negligence and complications can be avoided to enjoy long-term pleasure and intimacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is birth control bad for your body?
Birth control pills are safe, but long-term use can increase the risk of certain cancers. It declines as the use of pills is stopped. Rarely, combination pills can increase the chances of stroke, tumor, heart attack, blot clots, and liver issues. It may prove fatal, but chances are less.
Does birth control make your body think it’s pregnant?
Birth control pills, whether combination pills or progestin-only pills, work by changing the natural hormone levels of the female body. They mimic the symptoms of pregnancy through elevated levels of Progesterone. This tricks the body into considering that you are pregnant. So, the ovulation process is stopped.
How long does it take for your body to get used to birth control?
Birth control alters the natural levels of hormones, which can cause changes in the menstrual cycle and body. The side effects observed are not necessarily negative. These can include lighter and less painful periods. Negative side effects can be headache, nausea, and more. Most of these go away within three months.
Can birth control pills cause body odor?
Birth control is believed to cause or change body odor. However, there is no strong evidence. Only individual observations were reported. The underlying cause can be hormonal changes due to birth control. Moreover, birth control is proven to affect the ability to interpret body odor in women.
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