Marijuana is a drug that contains THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the chemical responsible for making you feel high. It’s used by people to treat medical conditions like chronic pain and nausea, but it’s also used recreationally because it makes you feel relaxed and euphoric.
Because birth control pills contain hormones, there’s some concern that marijuana could affect the way that birth control pills work or make them less effective at preventing pregnancy. But there is no evidence that taking Marjuana prevents birth control.
But according to an article from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), there isn’t enough evidence to say one way or another whether marijuana use affects your chances of getting pregnant while taking birth control pills.
Cannabis Effect On Body
Cannabis produces different reactions in different people. Women may experience slightly different effects from men when using cannabis, but both sexes experience some positive results from cannabis use.
Some studies have found that cannabis may lower diabetes in women, and many women self-report using cannabis to relieve pain associated with endometriosis. Companies have even created cannabis-infused products that cater specifically to female users.
Marijuana Doesn’t Affect Birth Control!
While some people have claimed that certain cannabinoids affect the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, there is currently no scientific research or studies to prove it. And neither the FDA nor CDC mentions cannabis as a harmful substance while taking these forms of contraception.
Although nicotine and cannabis have different physiological effects, there are some similarities between them. Smoking has been linked to short-term increases in blood pressure. Similarly, hormonal birth control can raise blood pressure and the risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke, particularly in patients with a history of cardiovascular ailments.
The increase in blood pressure is due to increased levels of estrogen and progesterone from hormonal contraceptives that build up in the area of the brain that regulates blood pressure.
Doctors discourage women on hormonal birth control from smoking cigarettes, partly to protect the fetus while it develops, but also to protect the mother. Nicotine in cigarettes can cause blood to thicken and create blood clots that can clog the arteries. Smoking is generally considered dangerous while on birth control because of the potential cardiovascular side effects.
Can a woman who is on birth control smoke weed? It appears that some cannabis users experience cardiovascular effects, such as increased heart rate, but the research on this subject is limited.
Relation Between Marijuana and Birth Control
Marijuana does not directly interact with any forms of birth control. But because cannabis and birth control have similar effects on the body, there is the potential for harmful side effects or changes in the effectiveness of certain forms of birth control.
Let us have a look at different type of birth control procedures.
Birth Control Procedures and Marijuana
Following are the types of birth control procedures and marijuana’s effect.
Contraceptives such as IUDs, implants, shots, birth control rings, and the patch all contain estrogen and progesterone (or progesterone only). They work by preventing the eggs in the ovaries from being released or the sperm from fertilizing the egg. These contraceptives also thicken the uterus lining so a fertilized egg is less likely to attach to the uterus and thicken the cervix mucus to prevent sperm from reaching an egg.
A 2013 study found that estrogen increases a user’s sensitivity to THC. Birth control pills provide higher levels of estrogen, so birth control users should be aware that they may need to take smaller doses of Marijuana than others.
Although the risk is low, hormonal birth control can increase blood pressure and cause blot clots. If you have a history of cardiovascular or blood conditions, you should avoid using hormonal birth control.
The copper-T IUD is a plastic T-shaped piece with copper wire wrapped around it. The device is inserted into the uterus and prevents pregnancy by causing an inflammatory reaction that is toxic to sperm and eggs.
No matter which type of birth control method you are using there is no effect of marijuana on it.
Use Right Birth Control Method
Conception prevention pills are a run of the mill kind of contraception. They contain man-made kinds of synthetic compounds that change the status of estrogen in your body and make the natural liquid around your cervix crude and thick, which holds sperm back from entering the uterus and setting up an egg.
Birth control pills are a popular form of birth control. In 2014, over 16 percent of U.S. women ages 15 to 44 used a birth control pill. However, you must remember to take the pill every day at the same time of day for the pill to be effective.
If setting a day-to-day conception prevention pill is excessively troublesome or you find you can’t take it simultaneously consistently, talk with your PCP about one more sort of contraception that might be more helpful for you.
Birth control rings, which you insert into your vagina once per month, and intrauterine devices (IUDs), which are implanted into your uterus, are two kinds of birth control. Some people prefer the ring because they don’t want to deal with remembering to take a pill every day.
No matter what type of birth control procedure you choose there is no effect of marijuana on it.
Cutting Ends Shorter
The effects of Marijuana on birth control pills are not well understood, but studies suggest that it can reduce the effectiveness of some oral contraceptives. Further research is necessary to determine how this interaction may affect humans.
At this time, evidence has not shown that cannabis affects the efficacy of contraceptives. However, it is likely that there are areas where assessing cannabis usage might be important for anyone who is predisposed to blood or cardiovascular issues. If you do choose to consume cannabis while on birth control, it is best practice to consult a physician to determine if cannabis usage is of concern while taking any birth control.
