{"id":37477,"date":"2025-06-05T21:02:47","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T21:02:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=37477"},"modified":"2025-06-20T04:06:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T04:06:17","slug":"what-are-the-risks-and-benefits-of-hormonal-birth-control-6-myths-debunked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/what-are-the-risks-and-benefits-of-hormonal-birth-control-6-myths-debunked\/","title":{"rendered":"Hormonal birth control: 6 myths debunked","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been more than 60 years since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. Since then, more than 300 million women around the world<\/a> have used \u201cthe pill\u201d to take control of their lives and health.<\/p>\n

Despite the widespread use of birth control pills \u2014 and other types of hormonal contraceptives \u2014 misunderstandings and confusion about these products are common.<\/p>\n

Here, we bust some popular myths about hormonal birth control, explain how it actually works and explore the risks and benefits.<\/p>\n

Myth: Hormonal birth control is toxic and full of chemicals.
\nTruth: <\/strong>Hormonal birth control contains safe, synthetic versions of hormones your body produces naturally.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hormonal birth control contains synthetic (lab-made) versions of hormones your body produces naturally \u2014 estrogen and progesterone. Depending on the particular kind of birth control, these products may contain progesterone only or estrogen and progesterone combined.<\/p>\n

\u201cHormonal birth control has been very well studied across several decades,\u201d says Jacqueline Potts, MD,<\/a> an OB\/GYN at MultiCare Women\u2019s Center \u2013 Northshore<\/a>. \u201cThe synthetic versions of these hormones function almost exactly the same way as those produced by your body. They aren\u2019t toxic in any way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Myth: Hormonal birth control is all the same.
\nTruth: There are many types of hormonal birth control, and they can affect your body differently.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are many types of hormonal birth control \u2014 pills, patches, injections, implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs). These products may contain different dosages and formulations of hormones.<\/p>\n

While all types of hormonal contraceptives protect against pregnancy, they can affect your body differently. Each may be associated with particular side effects or risks.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s one of the reasons your provider will ask about your family history and daily habits, like smoking, when recommending a type of birth control. Smoking while taking certain oral contraceptives can increase your risk for cardiovascular problems.<\/p>\n

You should also talk to your doctor or other health care provider about your past experience with contraceptives.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust because you\u2019ve had a negative experience with one hormonal birth control product doesn\u2019t mean you will have a negative experience with all of them,\u201d Dr. Potts says. \u201cHaving an open dialogue with your doctor about your past experience with birth control and any undesirable side effects can help you find a method that works for you.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been more than 60 years since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. Since then, more than 300 million women around the world have used \u201cthe pill\u201d to take control of their lives and health. Despite the widespread use of birth control pills \u2014 and other types […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":367,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[127,115],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-healthy-living","category-womens-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nIs hormonal birth control harmful? 6 myths debunked - MultiCare Vitals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Despite the widespread use of birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives, myths about these products are common. 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