The Hidden Dangers of Hormonal Birth Control; That your doctor probably didn't tell you

Hormonal birth control is used world wide by millions of women. This has been standard practice for a number of conditions for years, including use to avoid pregnancy. Birth control is also sometimes given to children as young as 14 years old or as soon as they start their menstrual cycles. Is this standard practice evidence based? Is this safe? Are there any serious side effects? These questions will be answered shortly. Are there health risks? Risks from using hormonal birth control include blood clots, increased risk of stroke, breast cancer, and liver disease. If you have a history of blood clots or smoking you should NOT use certain types of hormonal birth control and should speak with your provider about other options. Mental health risks Depression and anxiety can be exacerbated by the use of these artificial hormones disrupting the bodies natural cycle. They also can cause mood instability leading to unpredictable emotional shifts. Nutritional deficiency Hormonal birth control can deplete the body of critical vitamins and minerals like b12, folate, magnesium, and zinc. While hormonal birth controls offer convenience, the potential risks cannot be ignored, and should be discussed openly with every woman. The good news is, these are not the only reliable forms of contraception. There are options like para Gard- a non hormonal IUD, as well as barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms. Natural family planning techniques are also very effective for those with a regular menstrual cycle Sources: NIH- hormonal birth control research, American Cancer society- birth control and cancer risk, Mayo Clinic Birth control options