The Effects of Hormonal Birth Control on Your Body

Hormonal birth control isn’t without side effects. As with all drugs, there are beneficial effects and potential risks that affect everyone differently.

Most believe that hormonal birth control serves one purpose: to prevent pregnancy. While it’s very effective compared to other forms of birth control, the effects aren’t just limited to pregnancy prevention. In fact, they can even be used to help treat other health concerns such as menstrual relief, skin changes, and more.

Birth control pills and patches are dispensed only with a prescription. Hormone-based contraceptives are available in many forms, including:

• pills (or oral contraceptives): The key difference between brands are the amounts of estrogen and progestin in them — this is why some women switch brands if they think they’re getting too little or too much hormones, based on the symptoms experienced. The pill must be taken every day to prevent pregnancy.
• patch: The patch also contains estrogen and progestin, but is placed on the skin. Patches must be changed once a week for full effect.
• ring: Similar to the patch and pill, the ring also releases estrogen and progestin into the body. The ring is worn inside the vagina so that the vaginal lining can absorb the hormones. Rings must be replaced once a month.
• birth control shot (Depo-Provera): The shot contains only progestin, and is administered every 12 weeks at your doctor’s office.
• intrauterine devices (IUDs): There are IUDs both with and without hormones. In ones that release hormones, they can contain progesterone. IUD’s are inserted into your uterus by your doctor and must be changed every 3 to 10 years, depending on the type.
• implant: The implant contains progestin that releases through the thin rod into your arm. It’s placed under the skin on the inside of your upper arm by your doctor. It lasts for up to 3 years .

Each type has similar benefits and risks, although everyone responds differently to the hormones. If you’re interested in birth control, talk to your doctor about which type is most effective for you. Effectiveness is based on how consistent your birth control use is.

For example, some people find it difficult to remember to take a pill every day so an implant or IUD would be a better choice. There are also nonhormonal birth control choices, which may have different side effects.

However, no form of hormonal birth control protects against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You’ll still need to use condoms to prevent STDs.