What Does Birth Control Do to Your Body?

What does birth control do to your body? Hormonal birth control (contraception) changes levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone to stop ovulation. Although this helps prevent pregnancy, other birth control side effects include headaches, sleep problems, and weight gain.

Hormonal birth control contains manufactured (synthetic) forms of estrogen and progesterone (progestin) or progestin-only. There are hormonal birth control injections, patches, pills (oral contraception), rings, and more. Read on to learn about what these types of hormonal birth control can do to your body.

Hormonal Birth Control 

Hormonal birth control comes in many forms, such as:

• Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs): A progestin-releasing device that a healthcare provider places in your uterus
• Hormonal vaginal rings: A estrogen-and-progestin-releasing ring that you place in your vagina for three weeks until the week of your period
• Implants: A thin, progestin-releasing rod that a healthcare provider inserts under your skin
• Injections ("shots"): Progestin shots that a healthcare provider injects into your arm or buttocks every three months
• Oral contraception: Oral prescription medications that either include estrogen and progestin or progestin-only that you must take at the same time daily
• Patches: A patch that you apply on the skin of your lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper body (except on the breasts) that releases estrogen and progestin; must be changed once a week for three weeks in a row and skipped on a fourth week

Each of these types of birth control can affect your body in different ways.

1. Changes in Mood 

A common side effect of hormonal birth control is a change in mood. Many people on oral contraceptives report anxiety, depression, or both as a side effect. A review published in 2019 found that oral contraceptives are likelier to cause mood-related side effects in people with a history of previous depressive episodes.

2. Heightened Responses to Stress 

Some evidence suggests that hormonal birth control might increase your sensitivity to stressors. A study published in 2022 found that people who used hormonal contraception reported increased stress levels. The researchers also noted high levels of C-reactive proteins (CRP), an inflammatory marker, and cortisol, a stress hormone.

3. Cardiovascular Issues 

Some kinds of hormonal birth control—including oral contraception, patches, and vaginal rings—may affect your cardiovascular system. For example, research has linked certain types of oral contraception to blood pressure changes. High blood pressure (hypertension) can increase your heart attack risk. This side effect is rare, but it's still serious.

Hormonal birth control that contains estrogen may also increase your blood clot risk. Blood clots can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can limit blood flow in the extremities or cause a pulmonary embolism if the blood clot travels to the lungs.

4. Digestive Issues 

Synthetic estrogen and progestin might upset your stomach, causing digestive issues. You might have side effects like:

• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

5. Cycle Changes 

Hormonal birth control may change your menstrual bleeding pattern. You might have lighter or heavier bleeding than usual or other changes in your flow, such as bleeding between periods (spotting). Some people might skip periods altogether. Periods might also be painful, but hormonal contraception usually lessens period cramps.

6. Migraines and Headaches 

Research has linked the use of hormonal birth control to migraines and headaches. You might develop menstrual migraines due to changes in estrogen levels throughout your menstrual cycle. Hormonal birth control affects your natural estrogen level, so headaches may occur.

A healthcare provider might not advise hormonal birth control that contains estrogen if you have a history of migraines with aura. Estrogen might increase your risk of stroke.

7. Sleep Issues 

There may be a link between oral contraceptives, the sleep-wake cycle, and mood. Estrogen helps maintain your circadian rhythm, or your 24-hour internal clock.

Issues with your circadian rhythm can affect the sleep-wake cycle, hormone release, eating habits, digestion, and body temperature, among other 24-hour cycles. Research has shown that your risk of anxiety and depression increases when something throws off that time-keeping.

8. Changes in Libido 

You might notice issues with sexual activity or your reproductive system if you use hormonal birth control. Examples include:

• Breast or genital pain
• Low or a lack of libido
• Vaginal burning, irritation, itching, redness, or swelling
• Vaginal dryness

9. Weight Changes 

A decrease or increase in weight might be a side effect for some users of hormonal birth control. Research has shown that some people develop increased hunger and appetite while using hormonal contraception, which may result in weight gain.

10. Breast Changes 

You might notice that your breasts become tender, enlarged, or swollen while taking hormonal birth control. Some evidence suggests that oral contraceptives increase breast cancer risk. It's essential that you talk to a healthcare provider if you notice breast pain or lumps.

Long-Term Effects of Birth Control 

Hormonal birth control is generally safe to use, even for long periods. Still, research has identified some possible long-term side effects of this type of birth control, such as:

• Cancer: Oral contraceptives might increase breast and cervical cancer risk. The longer you take hormonal birth control pills, the higher your risk might be.
• Gallbladder disease: Some types of hormonal birth control, including IUDs and progestin-only pills, might increase gallbladder disease risk, although results are mixed. Gallbladder disease causes gallstones (hardened particles that form in the gallbladder).
• Stroke: Although rare, long-term hormonal birth control use might double ischemic stroke risk. A blockage, such as a blood clot, causes an ischemic stroke. Experts advise people older than 35 who smoke not to combine contraceptive methods due to an increased risk of cardiovascular events and stroke.

Benefits of Birth Control 

Birth control can have several side effects, but it can be beneficial for some people beyond preventing pregnancy. Some of those benefits include:

• Clearing acne
• Decreasing symptoms of endometriosis, which causes tissue that resembles the inner uterine tissue to grow outside of the uterus
• Decreasing the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer
• Preventing ovarian cysts
• Treating severe cramping and heavy bleeding
• Treating symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which involves hormonal imbalances that often cause acne, excess hair growth, irregular menstrual bleeding, weight gain

Still, talk to a healthcare provider if you have side effects from a certain type of hormonal contraception. They can advise other birth control options.

When To Contact a Healthcare Provider 

Contact a healthcare provider if birth control side effects interfere with your daily activities, become severe, or do not go away. Although uncommon, other signs to consult a healthcare provider include:

• Chest pain or heaviness
• Dark-colored urine or light-colored stool
• Extreme tiredness
• Feeling dizzy or faint
• Fever
• Severe headaches
• Stomach pain and vomiting
• Swelling of your hands and feet
• Vision changes (e.g., double vision and partial or complete vision loss)
• Weakness or numbness in your legs or arms

A Quick Review 

Hormonal birth control alters the hormone levels in your body, preventing a pregnancy from occurring. Types of hormonal birth control include IUDs, oral contraception, patches, and more.

This type of birth control comes with several side effects. Hormonal birth control may cause mood changes, sleep problems, and weight gain. In contrast, hormonal birth control can benefit some people by clearing acne and decreasing severe cramps. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have concerns about birth control side effects.

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