Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It HelpsCombined OptionsProgestin-OnlyContraindicationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Helps
Combined Options
Progestin-Only
Contraindications
Frequently Asked Questions
Hormonal contraceptivesare commonly used in the treatment ofpolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). While their birth control effect is helpful if you do not wish to become pregnant, these medications can also help correct out-of-balance hormone levels that contribute toPCOS symptomssuch as acne and unwanted hair growth.
However, finding the one that works best for you can be challenging. There may also be reasons why you are able to take one medication but not another—or none at all.
This article explains how birth control can help relieve symptoms of PCOS and why combined hormonal contraceptives that containestrogenandprogestinare often the go-to choice.
How Birth Control Helps PCOS
PCOS is an imbalance of reproductive hormones that can make getting pregnant difficult. Often, it causes a menstrual cycle to be irregular, meaning that a period may be late, stay longer than usual, or not come at all.
This is where hormonal birth control comes into play. While it’s not a cure for PCOS, it can help treat some of the symptoms and keep some of the potential consequences in check.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Birth control performs three primary functions to treat PCOS:
Why PCOS Can Cause Excess Facial Hair
Combined Hormonal Contraceptives
Combined hormonal contraceptives contain both estrogen and progestin and are considered the first-line treatment for people who have irregular periods or androgen levels as a result of PCOS.
There are several options to choose from, including oral contraceptives (“the pill”), a transdermal patch, and an intravaginal ring.
Because there have been few quality studies comparing the use of one type of combined oral contraceptive versus another for PCOS, it’s largely up to you and your healthcare provider to decide which may be the most appropriate.
There are several different forms of hormonal oral contraceptives, each with different actions and a different breakdown of ingredients. They can be classified as:
Estrogen Levels in Birth Control Pills
Low or ultra-low estrogen is associated with a risk of breakthrough bleeding, which can prompt some women to stop taking them.
Compare Dosage EffectsIt’s important to note that even the lowest dose of estrogen is effective at preventing pregnancy and may be less likely to cause side effects such as bloating, weight gain, and mood swings. By contrast, high dosages may increase the risk of irregular periods rather than reduce it.
Compare Dosage Effects
It’s important to note that even the lowest dose of estrogen is effective at preventing pregnancy and may be less likely to cause side effects such as bloating, weight gain, and mood swings. By contrast, high dosages may increase the risk of irregular periods rather than reduce it.
Progestin Levels in Birth Control Pills
It’s important to determine whichtype of progestinis being used in a combination pill. Some have a high androgenic activity that can aggravate acne or facial hair growth, undermining their usefulness in PCOS treatment.
Low-androgen combination pills include:
Because these pills may have other side effects, speak to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of each one.
How to Start Birth Control Pills
Progestin-Only Options
If you are experiencing abnormal menstruation, but none of the androgenic symptoms of PCOS, a healthcare provider may offer a progestin-only contraceptive as an alternative.
There are two main types that can prevent pregnancy and uterine hyperplasia without affecting testosterone levels:
What to Do if You Miss a Birth Control Pill
Who Shouldn’t Use Birth Control for PCOS
Taking birth control totreat PCOScan be risky if you have certain other conditions or lifestyle factors.
Your healthcare provider may not want to prescribe birth control to you if any of these circumstances apply:
If you still desire a means of preventing pregnancy, talk to your practitioner aboutnon-hormonal birth control options.
Summary
PCOS is an imbalance of reproductive hormones that can lead to an unpredictable (or absent) menstrual cycle and unwanted symptoms, like facial hair growth.
Hormonal birth control can help regulate a cycle while also blocking unwanted pregnancy and reducing androgen (male hormone) levels, which may improve your PCOS symptoms.
Hormonal contraceptives that contain both estrogen and progestin are go-to choices, but progestin-only options exist too. Talk to your doctor to see if either of these options may be right for you.
A Word From Verywell
It’s common for women to try several types of birth control pills before they find the one that suits them best and/or results in the fewest side effects. Try to be patient as you undergo this process of elimination. It’s time well spent.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHormonal birth control including the pill, a shot, or an intrauterine device (IUD) are often early steps in treating endometriosis.The symptoms of PCOS may be treated using the pill, patch, shot, IUD, and vaginal ring. The best treatment for these conditions can differ from one person to another, and it is important to work alongside a healthcare provider to decide which one is best for you.The side effects of a birth control pill (BCP) include nausea, worsened migraines, weight gain, breast tenderness, impact to mood, and changes in menstrual cycle that can lead to extra bleeding or missing a cycle entirely. In rare cases, the formation of blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke can occur. BCPs that do not contain estrogen may reduce the likelihood of side effects.
Hormonal birth control including the pill, a shot, or an intrauterine device (IUD) are often early steps in treating endometriosis.The symptoms of PCOS may be treated using the pill, patch, shot, IUD, and vaginal ring. The best treatment for these conditions can differ from one person to another, and it is important to work alongside a healthcare provider to decide which one is best for you.
The side effects of a birth control pill (BCP) include nausea, worsened migraines, weight gain, breast tenderness, impact to mood, and changes in menstrual cycle that can lead to extra bleeding or missing a cycle entirely. In rare cases, the formation of blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke can occur. BCPs that do not contain estrogen may reduce the likelihood of side effects.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yildiz BO.Approach to the patient: Contraception in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(3):794-802. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-3196.NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are the different types of contraception.Zimmerman Y, Eijkemans MJ, Coelingh bennink HJ, Blankenstein MA, Fauser BC.The effect of combined oral contraception on testosterone levels in healthy women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2014;20(1):76-105. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmt038.PCOS Society (India).Consensus statement on the use of oral contraceptive pills in polycystic ovarian syndrome women in India.J Hum Reprod Sci. 2018;11(2):96‐118. doi:10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_72_18.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.MedlinePlus.Birth Control Pills.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yildiz BO.Approach to the patient: Contraception in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(3):794-802. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-3196.NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are the different types of contraception.Zimmerman Y, Eijkemans MJ, Coelingh bennink HJ, Blankenstein MA, Fauser BC.The effect of combined oral contraception on testosterone levels in healthy women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2014;20(1):76-105. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmt038.PCOS Society (India).Consensus statement on the use of oral contraceptive pills in polycystic ovarian syndrome women in India.J Hum Reprod Sci. 2018;11(2):96‐118. doi:10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_72_18.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.MedlinePlus.Birth Control Pills.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yildiz BO.Approach to the patient: Contraception in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(3):794-802. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-3196.NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are the different types of contraception.Zimmerman Y, Eijkemans MJ, Coelingh bennink HJ, Blankenstein MA, Fauser BC.The effect of combined oral contraception on testosterone levels in healthy women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2014;20(1):76-105. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmt038.PCOS Society (India).Consensus statement on the use of oral contraceptive pills in polycystic ovarian syndrome women in India.J Hum Reprod Sci. 2018;11(2):96‐118. doi:10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_72_18.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.MedlinePlus.Birth Control Pills.
Yildiz BO.Approach to the patient: Contraception in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(3):794-802. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-3196.
NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are the different types of contraception.
Zimmerman Y, Eijkemans MJ, Coelingh bennink HJ, Blankenstein MA, Fauser BC.The effect of combined oral contraception on testosterone levels in healthy women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2014;20(1):76-105. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmt038.
PCOS Society (India).Consensus statement on the use of oral contraceptive pills in polycystic ovarian syndrome women in India.J Hum Reprod Sci. 2018;11(2):96‐118. doi:10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_72_18.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
MedlinePlus.Birth Control Pills.
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