The Risks of Smoking And Birth Control Pills

Women in the United States have been using birth control pills for over forty years. They are approximately 99% effective in preventing pregnancy when taken as prescribed. However, many women who take birth control pills are smokers, putting their health at considerable risk for heart attack. Thus, smoking and birth control pills are not a good combination.

What are the risks?

As a woman increases in age, her risk for heart attack increases. In addition to this, if she is a heavy smoker, is over the age of 35 years old, and takes birth control pills, her risks rise considerably. These risks include:

• Heart attack


• Stroke


• Hypertension


• Blood clots

Many doctors are refusing to prescribe oral contraceptives to women who smoke, particularly if they are over 35 years of age. While most all drugs have side effects, smoking while on the pill can also increase chances of having side effects from taking oral birth control, which can include:

• Acne


• Bloating


• Breakthrough bleeding


• Headaches,


• Nausea and vomiting


• Weight gain

Birth control pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Together the substances prevent pregnancy three ways:

1. Prevent ovulation


2. Thickens the mucous around the cervix preventing sperm from entering


3. Affects the uterine lining to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the wall of the uterus.

Women who smoke have a more difficult time conceiving than women who don't. Women who smoke up to a pack per day are 20% less likely to conceive and give birth within their first year of attempting to get pregnant. Smoking can also have a detrimental effect on a pregnancy by:

• Harming the fetus


• Causing stillbirths


• Miscarriages

Some research suggests that women who smoke heavily deliver infants who are at a 25% higher risk of dying shortly after birth.

Smoking while taking low-dose oral contraceptives has been linked to development of gallbladder disease, vision difficulties, and liver tumors.

It doesn't matter what type of hormonal contraceptive is being used. The use of the patch as a form of birth control carries the same risk, because estrogen and progesterone are contained in this method as well. As a matter of fact, the risks are increased with this type of birth control combined with smoking. Therefore, the best thing a woman can do if the she is taking hormones for birth control, she must quit smoking or suffer the potential consequences.

If you are a woman currently taking birth control and you are a smoker, no matter your age, it is important that you stop smoking. Contact your health care provider who can help you with information on methods and programs to kick the habit. Smoking and birth control pills do not mix and could very well threaten your life with long term results.

by Barb Hicks, RN