The concerning question as to how women's bodies are affected by contraception long term has many answers and even some grey areas. Hormonal contraception particularly is known for its ability to inhibit the body's natural menstrual cycle and prevent the egg from being released. People take contraception for many different reasons. Whether they are avoiding getting pregnant, they have been prescribed it for acne, or perhaps their doctors have recommended it for their symptoms of PCOS, contraception doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

With this, the question of why there are so many short-term and long-term risks involved and why more women are not being thoroughly educated on these risks is concerning. If you have received contraception yourself, you have likely seen the never-ending list of health risks that accompanies the contraceptive pill. Lots of scary things such as blood clots, cervical cancer and other terrifying diseases are warned against in this pamphlet, but yet so many women still do not fully understand the long-term effects that contraception has on their bodies. 

In this blog, we will discuss what research has shown about the long-term risks of contraception, and measures you can take to minimise the risks associated with the treatments and stay educated on what you are putting into your body.

What does birth control do?

If you are still unsure as to how hormonal contraception affects your body, there are some things to touch on. In terms of how the most commonly used hormonal contraceptive affects your body, it's important to know that different pills project different synthetic versions of female hormones. Essentially these hormones will suppress the natural ovulation of your body, and therefore suppress the release of the egg from your ovaries. 

On the contrary, there are non-hormonal contraceptives such as the copper IUD, which is inserted and prevents the sperm from being able to reach the egg. Whilst there is a hormonal option for an IUD, some women prefer the non-hormonal option.

As carefree as contraception may sound at first inspection, the changes that hormonal contraception has on our bodies are often more complicated than they may seem. Each individual has a different experience when taking contraception, so what might be prevalent for one person might not be the case for another. 

What are the long-term risks?

The long-term risks that birth control poses to women are highlighted through past research and studies. Using birth control is essential for some women and can even regulate their hormones which are otherwise imbalanced in different ways. There is no limit as to when you can take birth control pills, but it has been shown that women who have been on contraception for 5+ years with no long-term breaks are more susceptible to some of the problems that are liable to develop.

Cervical Dysplasia

Long-term use of oral contraceptives has been said to increase the risk of cervical dysplasia developing. This is essentially the abnormal growth of cells around the cervical area, which may also develop in cohesion with cervical cancers. Although there are not enough studies to support the evidence that long-term use of contraceptives directly correlates with the development of cervical dysplasia, the inflammatory effects that hormonal contraception can produce if not regulated are susceptible to developing such diseases.

Digestive issues 

Oral contraception has also been shown to result in digestive issues. Studies suggest that long-term use of birth control affects the overall gut microbiome, which has recently been highlighted for its importance in ensuring your overall health and well-being. If there are prevalent imbalances and bad bacteria present within the gut microbiome, you may experience negative changes in your immune system, brain health, and other essential parts of your bodily functioning. If you have not yet heard about the importance of the gut microbiome, it is important to do more research into it. Signs that your gut microbiome might be imbalanced include bloating, acne, constipation and also acid reflux.

Increase inflammation 

Inflammation is a prevalent factor in diseases such as cancer formation and liver disease. Such chronic diseases are known to be more likely to happen when on birth control pills, in comparison to non-users who have their natural cycles. Inflammation can be dangerous if it develops into something more sinister, but just because there is a risk it does not mean to say people who have used contraception for a while will develop these diseases. The variation between studies as to whether it causes such cancers is still widely unresolved, as some studies suggest taking different genres of pills can increase the risk of some cancers, and reduce the risk of others.

The question of infertility 

One of the most asked questions when discussing the long-term effects of using contraception is whether it can cause infertility. Research has shown that it should not affect your ability to get pregnant, but infertility can however be a secondary result of inflammatory diseases that are liable to happen when using contraception. If you have been on contraception for some years and have just come off it to try for a baby, it can take some months for your body to return to its natural cycle and release an egg. This is completely normal, but if you are struggling after a year +, you should consult your doctor to see if there are any further underlying issues.

How to manage long-term symptoms

If you have been on contraception for a while and you are concerned about what may happen to your body, there are ways in which you can manage the symptoms. Bear in mind that your doctor would never prescribe you a pill which you would be more at risk of using. Typically you should be having blood tests before and during your use of the pill regularly to monitor any concerning changes. Here are a few ways you can take care of your self-care being on the pill long-term:

Right lifestyle choice 

A healthy life is so important when it comes to your health as a whole. More importantly, when you have been taking the contraceptive pill for a long time, you should be working on your cardiovascular health. Some studies have shown that birth control does have adverse effects on cardiovascular health, so making sure you maintain a healthy exercise routine is key. It's okay to feel unmotivated and lacking energy when dealing with the symptoms of contraception, but consider the positive effects it will have once your workout is complete. For motivation, treat yourself to some gym leggings and activewear and do at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

Anti-inflammatory diets 

The foods that you digest can inhibit the negative effects that contraception can have on the gut microbiome. An anti-inflammatory diet may include organic food courses such as vegetables and natural fats. Ultimately, aiming to reduce the level of processed foods within your diet will largely improve the symptoms that can come with using contraception such as bloating and fatigue.

Taking a break and changing 

Depending on your choice of contraception, you may take breaks already during your current prescription. From the perspective of long-term use, if you are experiencing any unwanted changes and symptoms after some time it might be best to take a break and opt for a non-hormonal option. Changing to various contraceptives within a short space of time may do more harm than good, so do not make any changes without the support and recommendation from your doctor.

Supplements

Some birth control may decrease certain levels of vitamins in the body. Oral contraceptives are known to induce lower levels of B6 and B12 which are essential for healthy bodily functioning, so you may consider having supplementation of some form to even out the needed nutrients. Your doctor should be able to carry out tests to consider if there are any deficiencies present in your body.

Overall, despite how long hormonal contraceptives have been around, there are conflicting data as to how women may be affected by contraception long term. The scary tales that surround the risks that are associated with using contraception should not deter you from using them, as they often have lots of benefits. If you have been on contraception for some years and have not had any tests to confirm everything is okay, you should contact your doctors for immediate health checks. preventative methods such as this can save your life, so stay on the ball and keep up to date with the research on the effects of your contraception of choice.

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Amy Jones is a freelance health and wellness writer from Manchester UK. She loves researching and writing about health topics, as well as keeping up to date with the latest health news, and eco-friendly brands. Her passion for health and wellness stems from her innate desire to educate people on how to properly take care of their bodies, spot any early signs of illness and take the best preventative methods. When not writing, you can find her taking long walks in the countryside with her dog, listening to groundbreaking podcasts or browsing her nearest bookstore.