You can safely choose from many hormonal birth control methods and have your pick of all available barrier methods.
If you have ulcerative colitis (UC), you may be wondering whether birth control is right for you.
When living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — which can cause painful inflammation in your digestive system — it’s important to understand how the condition impacts things like your period, hormones, and of course, different options for birth control like oral contraceptives, barrier methods, or intauterine devices (IUDs).
Don’t let UC stop you from being safe. Here’s everything you should know about UC, birth control, and how the condition affects your menstrual cycle.
Oral forms of birth control and hormonal therapy have been linked to a
Whether taking oral hormones actually contributes to disease development or relapse, though, is still up for debate.
Most people with IBD can safely take different forms of birth control. However, people with more severe forms of UC should consider steering clear of methods that contain estrogen, like combination pills, the patch, and the ring.
That’s because birth control with estrogen can increase the risk of blood clots, which people with more aggressive forms of IBD or UC are already at risk for.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that pregnancy actually poses a greater risk of blood clots than birth control, meaning avoiding unintended pregnancy may have more benefits in the long run.
Condoms, sponges, diaphragms, cervical caps, and spermicide are all good choices for barrier birth control that won’t negatively impact UC.
Barrier methods do not contain hormones, meaning anyone can use them with minimal side effects. This includes:
- cervical cap
- diaphragm
- external condom
- internal condom
- spermicide
- sponge
People with severe IBD might consider a copper IUD or a method containing only synthetic progesterone. This includes:
- implant
- IUD
- minipill
- shot
If you have a more mild form of of IBD and want to take hormonal birth control containing synthetic estrogen, talk with your healthcare professional. They may be able to recommend a combination pill with low-dose estrogen.
Since hormone fluctuations can create spikes in inflammation and sensitivity, menstruation may cause more painful gastrointestinal symptoms for those with IBD.
In fact, more than half of participants in a 2018 study reported worsening symptoms during menstruation.
Pregnancy and UC have a complicated relationship as well.
Studies show that people who
Whether this is due to hormone changes or abstaining from medication during pregnancy is up for debate, though.
People who have uncontrolled IBD are also at an increased risk for flare-ups during pregnancy, so it’s important to follow your treatment plan.
So far, no direct link has been found between IBD and menopause. Menopause should occur on its own if UC is in remission and periods are regular.
Surgical menopause may improve symptoms of IBD, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
In addition to fluctuating hormones potentially making UC symptoms more challenging, it’s important to factor in how you manage period pain.
Since common over-the-counter medications for menstrual cramps like Aleve, Motrin, and Advil can cause flares or symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools, these should be avoided.
Instead, consider Tylenol to help manage period pain or symptoms of PMS. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation recommends using up to 3,000 milligrams per day if needed to keep pain at bay.
Stress can also potentially trigger worsening ulcerative colitis, so practicing self-care and relaxation during your period can go a long way in keeping the disease manageable and symptom-free.
You can safely use birth control if you have UC. IUDs are a smart choice since the device is widely recognized for its safety in those with chronic illnesses like IBD.
Make an appointment with a healthcare professional to discuss the pros and cons of different contraceptives and determine the best choice for you.