Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBirth Control and Blood SugarPreventing High-Risk PregnancyDiabetes InteractionsThe Right Method for YouFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Birth Control and Blood Sugar
Preventing High-Risk Pregnancy
Diabetes Interactions
The Right Method for You
Frequently Asked Questions
Effective birth control is an important issue for people with diabetes, as unplannedpregnanciescan result in complications.For people with diabetes, weighing the benefits against the risks is essential in choosing the right birth control.
This article will discuss how birth control affects diabetes and blood sugar.
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Does Birth Control Affect Blood Sugar?
Birth control that contains hormones can elevate some people’sblood glucose levels. Hormonal contraceptives increase the female sex hormonesestrogenandprogesterone. In addition to preventing pregnancy, a rise in these hormones can also increase blood sugar. However, contraception containing less than 35 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol (synthetic estrogen found in hormonal contraceptives) may not affect blood sugar or insulin resistance.
Metforminis a common medication used to manage diabetes andpolycystic ovary disease(PCOS). Since this medication can causeovulation, it’s essential to incorporate effective contraception to prevent pregnancy. For many diabetic people, the risks of pregnancy outweigh the small risk ofhyperglycemia(high blood sugar) with birth control use.
The Pill May Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk for People with PCOS
Using Birth Control to Prevent High-Risk Pregnancy
One study found diabetic females use less effective contraception than non-diabetic females. Common causes for this finding were inadequate contraception counseling, lack of consistent contraception use, not planning pregnancies, and not seeking preconception care.The consequences of an unplanned diabetic pregnancy affect both the pregnant person and the fetus.
Risks to a diabetic pregnant person include:
Studies clearly show that preconception diabetes education is sub-optimal.If you have diabetes and do not want to conceive, you should contact your healthcare provider to discuss safe contraceptive choices.
Diabetes Interactions Based on Type
Birth control medications are either hormonal or non-hormonal. If you have diabetes and want birth control coverage all the time, you may want a hormone-based contraceptive. If you prefer protection on an as-need basis, then non-hormonal options may be a better choice.
Hormonal
Hormonal contraceptivesrelease a steady amount of estrogen and/or progestin into your system each day, preventing ovulation. Types of hormonal birth control include:
Morning-After Pill and DiabetesEmergency progestin-only contraceptive (morning-after pill) is safe for people with diabetes. However, it should be taken as soon as possible to be effective.
Morning-After Pill and Diabetes
Emergency progestin-only contraceptive (morning-after pill) is safe for people with diabetes. However, it should be taken as soon as possible to be effective.
Non-Hormonal
If hormonal birth control is not a good option, there are still ways to prevent pregnancy in people with diabetes. Commonnon-hormonalbirth control methods include:
Finding the Right Method for You
Summary
Although certain types of birth control may increase blood sugar, evidence shows that most birth control methods are suitable for people with diabetes. Unfortunately, contraceptives are under-used in the diabetic population, resulting in high-risk pregnancies.
Being well-informed about birth control options is essential to preventing pregnancy. People with diabetes should speak to their healthcare providers about safe and effective contraception.
A Word From Verywell
Diabetes can lead to several health complications, including high-risk pregnancy. Using birth control may feel like one more thing to do on a long list of ways to manage diabetes, but you’re not alone. Birth control should be a regular discussion between you and your healthcare provider. You may need to initiate the conversation, but choosing safe and effective contraception is essential to your well-being.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThere is no perfect birth control method for people with diabetes. The best contraceptive is one that is safe, consistent, and effective.Increased levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause sugar cravings. Since hormonal contraceptives increase these hormones to prevent ovulation, some people may experience sugar cravings while taking them.
There is no perfect birth control method for people with diabetes. The best contraceptive is one that is safe, consistent, and effective.
Increased levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause sugar cravings. Since hormonal contraceptives increase these hormones to prevent ovulation, some people may experience sugar cravings while taking them.
8 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 or type 2 diabetes and pregnancy.Robinson A, Nwolise C, Shawe J.Contraception for women with diabetes: challenges and solutions.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:11-18. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S56348Britton LE, Hussey JM, Berry DC, et al.Contraceptive use among women with prediabetes and diabetes in a us national sample.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2019;64(1):36-45. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12936American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and pregnancy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and pregnancy.Nwolise CH, Carey N, Shawe J.Preconception care education for women with diabetes: a systematic review of conventional and digital health interventions.J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(11):e291. doi:10.2196/jmir.5615National Institute of Health.Contraception: hormonal contraceptives.National Institutes of Health.Contraception and birth control.
8 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 or type 2 diabetes and pregnancy.Robinson A, Nwolise C, Shawe J.Contraception for women with diabetes: challenges and solutions.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:11-18. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S56348Britton LE, Hussey JM, Berry DC, et al.Contraceptive use among women with prediabetes and diabetes in a us national sample.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2019;64(1):36-45. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12936American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and pregnancy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and pregnancy.Nwolise CH, Carey N, Shawe J.Preconception care education for women with diabetes: a systematic review of conventional and digital health interventions.J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(11):e291. doi:10.2196/jmir.5615National Institute of Health.Contraception: hormonal contraceptives.National Institutes of Health.Contraception and birth control.
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.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 or type 2 diabetes and pregnancy.Robinson A, Nwolise C, Shawe J.Contraception for women with diabetes: challenges and solutions.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:11-18. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S56348Britton LE, Hussey JM, Berry DC, et al.Contraceptive use among women with prediabetes and diabetes in a us national sample.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2019;64(1):36-45. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12936American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and pregnancy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and pregnancy.Nwolise CH, Carey N, Shawe J.Preconception care education for women with diabetes: a systematic review of conventional and digital health interventions.J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(11):e291. doi:10.2196/jmir.5615National Institute of Health.Contraception: hormonal contraceptives.National Institutes of Health.Contraception and birth control.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 or type 2 diabetes and pregnancy.
Robinson A, Nwolise C, Shawe J.Contraception for women with diabetes: challenges and solutions.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:11-18. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S56348
Britton LE, Hussey JM, Berry DC, et al.Contraceptive use among women with prediabetes and diabetes in a us national sample.J Midwifery Womens Health. 2019;64(1):36-45. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12936
American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and pregnancy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and pregnancy.
Nwolise CH, Carey N, Shawe J.Preconception care education for women with diabetes: a systematic review of conventional and digital health interventions.J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(11):e291. doi:10.2196/jmir.5615
National Institute of Health.Contraception: hormonal contraceptives.
National Institutes of Health.Contraception and birth control.
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