When we think of birth control, it’s often associated with navigating fertility and pregnancy. But birth control can support other aspects of health, including playing a role in mood, skin health, and more. Let’s dive into how birth control works and its different uses.
Breaking down the basics of birth control
There are two main forms of birth control: hormonal and non-hormonal. Non-hormonal options include condoms and copper IUDs, where a physical barrier is created to keep the sperm out of the uterus or conditions within the uterus are altered to inhibit sperm.
On the other hand, hormonal birth control works by influencing the female reproductive environment through regulating the balance of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. It’s a slow but steady release of progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone) into the body or a combination of progestin and estrogen. Progestins act like progesterone in the body, keeping the lining of the endometrium from thickening. This suppresses ovulation and affects the cervical mucus to make it inhospitable to sperm. Examples of hormonal birth control include:
- The birth control pill – One of the most common types of birth control, combined and progestin-only options available.
- Implant – A flexible rod which is inserted in the arm, just under the skin, releases a small, continuous amount of progestin into the bloodstream.
- Intrauterine system (IUS) – Placed in the uterus, releases progestin and can be worn for 3-5 years.
- Vaginal ring – A clear, flexible plastic ring is placed in the vagina and releases both estrogen and progestin.
- Patch – Placed on your skin, contains both estrogen and progestin.
- Injection – A progestin-only shot that needs to be administered by your healthcare provider every 3 months.
Can the birth control pill play a role beyond pregnancy?
While opting for birth control is commonly a choice for preventing pregnancy, it has a few other uses. In fact, the birth control pill is sometimes prescribed by health practitioners for reasons beyond pregnancy prevention. Let’s get into it.
Health benefits of the birth control pill
Apart from being a convenient and non-permanent option for preventing pregnancy, the birth control pill can provide certain health benefits, like:
- Making menstrual flow lighter and regular
- Reducing menstrual cramps and migraines during periods
- Lessening symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- Reducing hot flashes during perimenopause
- Treating PCOS, endometriosis or uterine fibroids
- Lowering your risk of ovarian cancer, uterine cancer or colon cancer
- Stopping unwanted hair growth and clear acne
Potential side effects of the birth control pill
Just like every coin has two sides, being on the pill can come with a few side effects that you should have on your radar before making the choice. This can include headaches, irritability or moodiness, breast tenderness or swelling, nausea and/or vomiting, and bleeding between periods. More specifically, taking combination birth control pills can also cause changes in libido and mood. Progestin-only pills may lead to irregular spotting and bleeding more frequently than combination pills.
While you may experience some or all of these side effects, the good news is that most will likely subside by the second or third month of use, as your body adjusts to the regulating hormones from the pill.
Other considerations to keep in mind when opting for hormonal birth control
The hormones in our bodies play a variety of roles to keep everything running optimally. That’s why regulating these hormones through birth control can impact our health in more ways than one.
Weight gain
There is a common myth that birth control options like the pill or an IUD can cause weight gain. Research has shown that this is not the case. For example, in this study, researchers took a look at the results from 49 different research studies to analyze 52 types of combined birth control (pills and patches that contain estrogen and progestin). They found no evidence to show that combined birth control methods contributed to weight gain.
On top of that, studies have also looked at the effects of progestin-only birth control, and once again have come up empty. After reviewing the effects on around 11,450 people, this study also concluded that there was no evidence to support that birth control caused people to gain weight.
Although the science hasn’t shown any relation between birth control and weight gain, it’s important to remember that your experience may vary. It can be common for some people to retain more water in the first few months after taking birth control, temporarily leading to a few extra pounds. But experts say that most people are not going to gain that much weight from fluid retention to notice big fluctuations on the scale.
Mood fluctuations
Feeling a bit out of sorts right before your period is a common experience for those who menstruate. And there is research to support that oral contraceptives have the potential to cause some form of mood changes. However, some studies also show that the hormones in these birth control methods can help to regulate people’s moods.
Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut answer here. It really depends on each individual and how their body responds to the method of birth control they’re taking. It’s best to consult with a healthcare practitioner if you believe that your birth control is affecting your mood to find an option that works better for you.
Skin health
Acne is often a result of increased levels of androgens like testosterone, which are a group of sex hormones. These androgens cause our skin’s sebaceous glands to produce more sebum or oil, leading to clogged pores. Combination birth control pills can help support our skin by reducing the circulation of androgens within the body, ultimately decreasing the production of sebum.
It’s important to note that progestin-only pills can have the opposite effect. If you’re looking to support skin health through birth control, make sure to speak with your healthcare practitioner about your options.
Bone health
The hormone estrogen plays a key role in maintaining bone density, making combination birth control pills featuring estrogen a bone-friendly option. Optimal bone density is crucial for reducing the risk of osteoporosis, and contraceptives with estrogens can offer protection for our bones.
Similar to skin health, progestin-only pills can have the opposite effect as they reduce estrogen levels within the body.
Heart health
While many people have safely used birth control for a long period of time, it does come with a few health risks linked to the heart. The estrogen from birth control pills, hormone patches, implants, vaginal rings and injections can cause an increase in blood clotting, which could result in a heart attack. Additionally, the combined birth control pill can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, high blood pressure levels and heart attack or stroke. It’s important to discuss any concerns you have with a trusted healthcare practitioner to understand your situation better.
Supporting hormone balance beyond birth control
Maintain regular physical activity
You may have heard this countless times, but regular exercise is also an essential part of hormone balance. Physical activity increases hormone receptor sensitivity. That’s just a fancy term for the delivery of nutrients and hormone signals throughout our body. If you’ve got a packed schedule, studies show that even regular walking may increase key hormone levels, potentially improving strength and quality of life.
Build a healthy foundation through nutrition
Your hormones have a lot of power when it comes to how you feel, so it’s important to prioritize a healthy lifestyle and a well-rounded diet to support your body. This means consuming adequate amounts of protein with every meal. Protein not only provides our body with essential amino acids that we can’t make on our own, but it’s also needed to produce protein-derived hormones or peptide hormones. These play a vital role in processes like growth and development, energy levels, appetite, stress and reproduction. Additionally, eating nutrient-rich foods like whole grains, healthy fats (salmon, avocados, flax seeds), leafy greens, and cruciferous vegetables can go a long way in balancing your hormones. 
When you’re not getting enough from diet alone, supplementation can be a great option. Orange Naturals’ Estro Calm features a therapeutic 200mg dose of pure Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) in every capsule. I3C is a compound found in cruciferous veggies like broccoli, kale, cabbage and brussel sprouts. It is a potent antioxidant that stimulates the production of enzymes that detoxify toxins and protect our cells from oxidative damage. It also helps the liver to handle and process excess estrogen to maintain hormone balance.
From playing a role in fertility, skin health, and mood, so much more, your hormones do a lot! That’s why it’s key to understand the importance of hormone balance and learn how birth control works within the body. The way your body reacts to various birth control options may vary, but it’s good to be aware of common benefits and side effects to be able to make a well-informed decision.
Sources:
Birth control options available in Canada
Birth Control Pills
Birth Control and Weight Gain: What the Science Says
The Pros and Cons of the Birth Control Pill
Birth Control Can Cause Mood Swings — Here’s What You Should Know
Birth Control Pill for Acne
Understanding the Relationship Between Birth Control and Osteoporosis
Heart Disease & Birth Control
10 Natural Ways to Balance Your Hormones
