Netflix’s Love is Blind star Amy Cortes has been vocal on the sixth season of the popular reality series about her reasons for not using birth control, and what she has learned from the media about how the pill affects issues including infertility, hormone imbalances and breast cancer risk. Nancy Fan, MD, Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic obstetrician-gynecologist, discusses the myths and truths about long-term birth control use.
MYTH: Long-term birth control use can lead to infertility.
TRUTH: According to the World Health Organization, about one in six women will experience issues with infertility. This has led to an increase in women seeking out treatment such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Throughout their journey, many women have associated the cause of their infertility with a 10- to 15-year use of birth control.
“There are no reputable studies associating long-term birth control use with infertility,” Dr. Fan says. “Often, infertility is caused by a woman’s natural aging and the body’s decreased fertility as she enters her mid-30s.”
MYTH: Birth control pills cause hormonal imbalances.
TRUTH: “Despite popular media belief, birth control pills do not mess with a person’s hormones or block anything other than preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg,” Dr. Fan states. “Just because you don’t ovulate doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have a problem with ovulation in the future.”
The ovary goes through its own normal cycles. In fact, many women who have recently been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are prescribed birth control pills and still have regular cycles.
“The benefit of birth control pills for someone diagnosed with PCOS is to increase the amount of their sex-binding hormones, which then will decrease testosterone and DHEA levels,” Dr. Fan adds. “By decreasing these levels, many women have noticed less facial hair growth and less acne.”
MYTH: Birth control increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer.
TRUTH: “I don’t think women need to be worried about the pill increasing their risk for breast cancer. However, for women who are concerned, there is an option for a progesterone-only contraception,” Dr. Fan says.
Some women prefer to take a progesterone-only pill for about 10 days a month just so they can have a regular cycle. However, a progesterone-only pill won’t help control normal PMS symptoms, facial hair growth and acne.
“Ultimately, my job is to counsel and provide all the risks and benefits for the patient. They decide what they feel is their best option,” Dr. Fan adds.
MYTH: Birth control increases a woman’s risk for uterine and ovarian cancers.
TRUTH: People who are on the pill for longer than 10 years reduce their risk of uterine and ovarian cancers.
“Most women don’t realize that infrequent cycles can lead to a long-term risk of uterine and ovarian cancers,” Dr. Fan states.
About 66% of the women who develop ovarian or uterine cancer have weight issues, changing levels of estrogen, and don’t have regular cycles.
“The hallmark is that these women tend to skip many menstrual cycles,” Dr. Fan adds. “The lining builds up and, over time, because of these irregular cycles and heavy changing levels of estrogen, they may have an increased risk for uterine cancer.”
It may be recommended for patients diagnosed with infrequent cycles to be prescribed birth control to help regulate their menstrual cycles and thin endometrial lining.
For more information about ob/gyn services at Saint Francis Hospital or to schedule an appointment, visit trinityhealthma.org/women-primary.