Hormonal contraception changed the game when it comes to birth control, but is it safe for our cycles? Here we’ll break down the pros and cons of hormonal contraceptives, to help you make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you.
Key Takeaways
- There are lots of benefits to hormonal contraception - and it’s a very reliable form of birth control
- There are also lots of potential side effects to consider - including those that impact our mental and physical health.
- Sometimes hormonal contraception can mask signs and symptoms of underlying health conditions.
- There are alternatives to hormonal birth control that you might want to consider if they are not working for you.
What do we mean by hormonal contraception?
Hormonal contraception is any form of birth control that works by altering your natural hormonal cycle. There are a few different options for hormonal birth control including.
- The Combined Pill
- The Mini Pill (aka Progesterone Only Pill)
- The Implant (inserted into your arm)
- An IUD aka Coil (inserted into the uterus)
- The Injection aka Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA):
Hormonal contraceptives typically work by altering your hormonal balance to prevent ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to block sperm, or thinning the uterine lining to prevent implantation. The hormones most commonly used are synthetic versions of oestrogen and progestin and there will be different combinations of these hormones depending on what option you go for.
Benefits of Hormonal Contraception
Before we get into the potential side effects of hormonal contraception - let’s look at the positives, of which there are many!
Reliable Birth Control
The introduction of the pill in the 1960s gave many women autonomy over their reproductive health that they had never had before. Whilst there were options for birth control before (ie barrier methods like condoms) this often put control in the hands of the male partner. By being able to take a pill, women were given the choice to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies whilst still having the option to enjoy an active sex life - and that is something to celebrate!
The effectiveness of these birth control methods is also pretty impressive - the NHS website claims the pill, injection, implant and coil all offer over 99% effectiveness when utilised correctly.
Managing Health Conditions
Aside from birth control, hormonal contraceptives are also sometimes helpful for managing period health issues. Whilst there is a lot of debate around this (hence this blog!)For some people, it is game-changing to be able to stop their periods and regain some quality of life. At Myoovi we believe that everyone knows their body best and should feel empowered to make informed choices about their health. If you have all the facts and decide that hormonal management of a health condition is right for you - then it is right for you!
Issues With Hormonal Contraception
However, like any medication, taking hormonal contraception is not right for everyone. Some people endure extreme side effects that can have a huge impact on their mental and physical well-being. Others find that stunting their cycle leaves them feeling disconnected from their bodies - and their health. Here are some of the reasons you might want to take a pause before jumping into hormonal contraception head first.
Masking Underlying Conditions
One of the aspects of hormonal contraception that gives us the most concern, is its ability to mask underlying health conditions. Our period and our menstrual cycle is a vital sign that tells us a lot about what is going on inside our bodies. When we pause this cycle synthetically, we lose the ability to track our cycle and identify any underlying issues that may be affecting it.
This is particularly problematic when we think about how many people are prescribed hormonal contraception to manage menstrual health conditions like endometriosis and PCOS. For example, a 2020 study found that 31% of women with endometriosis used at least one hormonal contraceptive (HC) in the eight years before their diagnosis.
The issue here is that whilst taking hormonal contraception can ease symptoms in the short term, it does not solve the root issues and can, in fact, mask symptoms which means a delay in diagnosis and treatment. According to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, nearly 1 in 3 women using hormonal contraception were found to have underlying conditions like PCOS or thyroid dysfunction that went undiagnosed until they stopped using contraception
Hormonal Imbalances And Side Effects
Given that hormonal contraceptives work by altering the body’s natural hormone levels, it’s not surprising that they can lead to hormonal imbalances. There are lots of potential side effects of hormonal imbalance, but some of the most common symptoms include weight gain, mood swings, and changes in skin and hair health.
These imbalances can have lasting effects even after stopping contraception. For some women, it can take months or even years for their hormones to stabilise, during which time they may experience irregular periods, infertility, and other reproductive issues.
Mental Health
Another significant concern linked with hormonal contraception is its impact on mental health. Several studies have connected the use of hormonal birth control to an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
One study found that women using hormonal contraception were more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who did not. The risk was particularly high among teens, with a 70% increase in depression diagnosis among young people using hormonal contraceptives.
Whilst not everyone will experience this - and the exact reasons behind this correlation remain unclear - we know that our hormone levels impact our mood, so it’s not surprising that when we pump our bodies full of hormones they aren't producing themselves, it can cause some issues for our mental wellbeing.
Low Libido
Another often overlooked side effect of hormonal contraception is its impact on libido. Many women report a decrease in sexual desire while using hormonal birth control - in fact, one study found that as many as 43% of women on hormonal contraception noticed their libido plummet. Again, we’re not 100% sure why this happens, but research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine highlights that hormonal contraceptives, particularly those with higher doses of oestrogen, can lower testosterone levels, leading to a reduced sex drive.
Alternatives To Hormonal Contraception
If you find that hormonal contraception does not agree with you for any reason, don't panic - there are plenty of alternatives, depending on what you are taking it for.
Alternative Birth Control
Of course, when it comes to family planning, we can always come back to the good old-fashioned condom! Barrier methods like condoms - or similar methods like the female condom - are not only super effective when used correctly (condoms have around a 98% success rate according to the NHS website) but they also have the added benefit of protecting you from STIs - which is not something hormonal birth control can guarantee.
It’s also worth remembering that in most menstrual cycles you can only really get pregnant for a few days each cycle - this is known as the fertile window. The Fertility Awareness Method teaches you how to track your fertile signs to either help you conceive or time sex so that you avoid pregnancy - and when followed correctly it can be up to 99% effective!
Alternative Period Health Management
Painful periods are a sign from your body that something isn’t right, so we would always recommend speaking to a doctor about your concerns as it could be that you are living with a condition like fibroids, endometriosis or adenomyosis.
If you struggle with painful, heavy periods - it can be very tempting to take a pill that makes them disappear. However, if you want to continue having a natural cycle - and find natural ways to manage your symptoms - Myoovi can help! Our Myoovi kit is a totally drug and hormone-free pain relief method that 92% of our customers say significantly reduces period pain.
