Oral contraceptives, also known as OCPs, are an effective form of birth control. OCPs work by increasing your blood estrogen and progestin concentrations to higher-than-normal levels, which prevents the release of pituitary hormones that stimulate ovulation. Like any medication, OCPs have their risks and undesirable side effects. Weight gain, liver problems, acne, vaginal spotting and blood clots are among the more well-known side effects of OCPs. In addition, your need for certain nutrients may change when you take OCPs.
Vaginal Infections
A 2010 "Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation" review suggests that the use of combined-agent oral contraceptives--those containing both estrogen and progesterone--increases the risk of vaginal yeast infections. Nutritionist Elson Haas, M.D., states that OCPs increase the alkalinity of the vaginal tract and make it susceptible to colonization by Candida species. Haas recommends taking extra vitamin C to acidify the vagina and counteract this problem.
Liver Stress
OCPs undergo extensive metabolism in your liver before their hormones find their way into your general circulation. This extra metabolic work requires vitamins that support your liver's detoxifying enzymes and reduce the oxidative damage that results from the breakdown of any foreign substance. The nutritional impacts of OCP use have been recognized since at least the 1980s. A study published in "The Journal of Reproductive Medicine" in October 1980 demonstrated that women who take OCPs exhibit lower blood levels of zinc, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folate, vitamin B-12 and vitamin C.
Excesses
Women who take OCPs often do not menstruate. Therefore, they do not experience a monthly loss of blood with its associated content of iron. If you take iron-containing supplements along with your OCPs, you could develop iron overload unless you are already iron deficient. Similarly, copper and vitamin K levels rise in women who take OCPs. While you do not need to limit your consumption of vitamin K-containing foods, any supplemental copper should be curtailed or eliminated.
Recommendations
A well-balanced diet is essential for women who take OCPs, but supplements can be helpful as well. Since several B vitamins are depleted by OCPs, you can probably meet your needs for these nutrients by taking a vitamin B complex with doses of riboflavin and pyridoxine in the 25 to 50mg range. Haas suggests an additional 50 to 200mcg of B-12 daily and 600 to 800mcg of folate. Take 1 to 3g of vitamin C and an additional 20 to 40mg of zinc. Vitamin E is not affected by OCPs, but Haas believes an extra 400 to 600 IU daily helps to reduce the deleterious effects of these drugs. Limit your supplemental copper intake to 1mg daily and check with your doctor to see if you need additional iron.
References
- "Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation"; Management of Recurrent Vulvo-Vaginal Candidosis as a Chronic Illness; G.G. Donders, et al.; 2010
- "Staying Healthy with Nutrition: Birth Control Pills"; Elson M. Haas, M.D.; 2006
- "The Journal of Reproductive Medicine"; Nutritional Effects of Oral Contraceptive Use: A Review; J.L. Webb; October 1980
