Common Misinformation Content

The status of oral contraceptives as a Group 1 carcinogen has often been stripped of context on social media in a way that makes it seem much scarier than it really is. A Group 1 classification doesn’t measure the level of risk; instead, it measures the certainty of a risk existing. For example, tobacco and processed meat are both on Group 1 because they are both proven to be carcinogenic, however tobacco is more likely to cause cancer. Similar to processed meat, birth control is associated with a small risk of contracting cancer, specifically breast or cervical cancer. However, birth control actually decreases the risk of other cancers including endometrial, ovarian, and colon cancer (American Cancer Society).

Although research has indicated that some forms of birth control can lower blood levels of certain nutrients & vitamins, these decreases are often small, especially when eating a well balanced diet, and rarely turn into a true and harmful medical deficiency. However, if you do ever have concerns about nutrient depletion, talk to a doctor (Palmery et al).

Although you can track your cycle to avoid pregnancy (a form of natural family planning often called the rhythm method), this is much less reliable than using medical birth control, and has a typical failure rate of up to 24% (Mayo Clinic). 

Although your menstrual cycle does stop while taking birth control, this is a temporary and reversible pause that is intentional with the purpose of preventing ovulation to avoid pregnancy. The body typically starts releasing eggs again within a few weeks after stopping the pill, and your menstrual cycle will resume over the next few weeks to months (ACOG).  

This is the intended effect of birth control to prevent ovulation and pregnancy, and it is well-studied and regulated. Additionally, it is a temporary effect and reversible, and usual hormone levels will resume a few weeks to months after getting off birth control (Opill).