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Does CBD affect birth control, and are CBD oil and birth control safe to take together?
CBD oil is known for its wide array of potential health benefits, including benefits that apply specifically to women like relieving menstrual cramps or related nausea.
That’s why so many CBD brands market towards women, and why so many women have incorporated CBD oil and related CBD products into their regular wellness and beauty routines.
Can CBD Interact with Birth Control Pills?
CBD Oil and Birth Control: Effect on Hormones
CBD Oil May Actually Combat Side Effects of Birth Control
Final Thoughts: Can You Take CBD and Birth Control Pills Together?
Here’s what we know:
There are many options for birth control, but most of them play a similar role in changing the balance of hormones in the body to prevent pregnancy.
Because the endocannabinoid system may have a direct impact on the body’s hormone production, it’s fair to suspect interactions between CBD and birth control pills.
Plus, researchers have uncovered other ways that CBD may interact with common medications that may apply to hormone-based medications as well.
Understanding the potential for reactions and working closely with your doctor to design your CBD routine is the best way to avoid an adverse reaction, though it should be noted that the side effects of CBD are rare and usually mild.
If you’re on hormonal birth control and want to begin using CBD, there are a few things you need to know first.
Before you can understand the impact that taking CBD may have on hormonal birth control, you’ll need to understand the way that CBD interacts with the body.
When CBD molecules (and other cannabinoids) enter the body, they interact with the body’s Endocannabinoid System, a system of neuroreceptors that spans through every organ and plays a large role in most basic processes.
Hormones are chemicals responsible for a range of bodily functions, including appetite and metabolism, mood, growth and development, sexuality, and more. Hormones are produced by the endocrine system, which also includes multiple glands throughout the body.
CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors in order to activate the endocrine system, which is how CBD can have a direct impact on hormones. Since we know that CBD does affect hormone production, we know it may react with hormonal medications such as birth control pills.
But how do CBD oil and birth control interact?
One study suggests that CBD binds with estrogen receptors in the reproductive system. This means that it competes with estradiol, one major female hormone that also binds with these receptors.
By reducing the amount of estradiol that can bind with neuroreceptors, CBD may affect the efficacy of some hormonal birth control, specifically estrogen-based medications. There is no known impact on progesterone based medications.
Research has shown that CBD may interact with other hormones in ways that could be beneficial, like positively affecting insulin levels or decreasing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
But we don’t have enough information to determine how CBD specifically interacts with certain hormonal birth control medications. We do know that CBD may interact with most medications in one common way: liver enzymes.
Studies have shown that CBD utilizes cytochrome P450 pathways when metabolized by the body. This group of liver enzymes is also responsible for metabolizing most of the medications you can get over the counter or by prescription today.
For this reason, CBD may decrease the absorption of certain medications, which may make them less effective. Most hormonal birth control medications utilize this pathway for absorption, which suggests a clear interaction between CBD and birth control.
Of course, with so little research evidence specifically focused on CBD and birth control, it’s hard to say if the effect is significant enough to worry about.
The effect that CBD has on these liver enzymes is only temporary, and many people find that CBD can be taken alongside their medications, as long as the doses are properly spaced out. Oral contraceptives are no exception.
Although reports suggest that CBD could impact certain high-estrogen contraceptives, others display therapeutic effects that may help relieve the unwanted side effects common to many birth control methods.
One woman said starting Sprintec, a popular combination birth control pill, severely irritated her anxiety due to a history of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. For two weeks, her experience with the pill was less than pleasant.
She said “I have been an absolute mess. I have been anxious all the time, I’ve had TWO full-blown panic attacks.” She goes further to explain that she also experienced mood swings and bouts of depression, and was desperately seeking a cure.
After a quick trip to her local vape shop to buy a bottle of CBD vape oil, her anxiety was immediately at ease.
“I’ve been using it for the past two days. Needless to say, it has made an enormous difference. I feel the effects immediately, and I’ve just overall been more stable and mellow. It’s actually pretty mind-blowing how effective it has been.”
Other side effects of birth control pills that may respond well to CBD oil include headaches, nausea and vomiting, or weight gain.
Although birth control is often prescribed to help manage the symptoms related to a heavy menstrual cycle, it can sometimes make it worse. CBD topicals may be useful for combating pain due to menstrual cramps.
Again, there is limited evidence regarding the interactions between CBD and hormonal contraception (and there are so many different types of birth control) so it’s always best to proceed with caution and talk with your health provider.
Now for the important questions: Can you start taking CBD if you are already on hormonal birth control? And should you stop taking CBD to start birth control medication? Because we don’t have much evidence, the answers aren’t so simple.
Anecdotal reports have suggested that many people have taken CBD to combat the side effects of birth control without complications. Reports exist claiming purely the opposite as well, but it’s important to remember that the majority of these claims are purely anecdotal.
In reality, the potential of interaction between birth control and CBD may depend on many factors, like the type of birth control, the amount of each medication taken, and biological factors that are unique to you.
Most importantly, many medications can be used together, so long as they aren’t taken at the exact same time.
When you want to combine CBD with other medications, it’s always best to play it safe. Talk to your doctor before starting CBD oil or any related CBD products, especially if you take hormonal birth control or other prescription medications.
Your doctor will be able to better identify the risks and benefits of combining CBD and your birth control.
Then, look for a high-quality CBD supplement that fits naturally into your wellness routine. Poor quality CBD is the most frequent cause of CBD related side effects.
Our in-house brand Vida Optima balances on the promise of premium quality, full-spectrum CBD. Our Vida CBD Gummies are a customer-favorite for regular use.
Have you used birth control and CBD together? Let us know your experience in the comments below.
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