“Are birth control pills bad for my hormone levels?”

Yes, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Periods are better, less PMS, less anemia, and you can control your cycles.

Daniel Levine, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

While birth control pills work by adding hormones to stop the ovaries from ovulating, it is not “bad” for your hormones. It is a temporary effect while taking the pills and resolves without affecting the function of the ovaries after you stop taking the pills. If you have been “googling”, there may be information you find about the first pills to come out. These were extremely high doses (180/250 mcg of estradiol vs. 20/35 mcg estradiol in the current pills). The extremely high dose pills, if used for a long time, could affect the stimulation of the ovaries for an extended time after stopping them. With the strengths available today, the ovaries return to normal function (whatever your cycles were like prior to starting the pill) within 3 months and usually within a month after stopping the pill.
Make sure you follow the instructions you are given regarding starting the pill to know when the pill will be effective for you. Remember, pills do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms are the only thing that reduces that risk.

Cynthia Tucker MD

Not at all. As a matter of fact, the use of OCPs for two years will reduce your chances of ovarian cancer!

Birth control actually works by changing body hormones to make the uterus unsuitable for conception or ovulation. However, you need to consult your own doctor for the best contraception method that will be suitable for you based on different hormonal parameters and personal requirements. For example, some birth control contains iron for women who have anemia.