The Negative Impact of Birth Control Pills on Women Athletes

Exercise is one of the most recommended activities for women to stay healthy, especially if they do it to lose weight, increase muscle mass, or become professional athletes; however, in some cases, they allow an undercover enemy to enter their bodies: birth control pills.

Also known as oral contraceptives or hormonal pills, they are prescribed to adolescents and young women as a treatment for irregular or absent periods, menstrual pain, acne, endometriosis, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. While they help alleviate these problems, they are also responsible for low performance, loss of strength, or little muscle gain after exercising.

"People think that if male athletes use testosterone or steroids, they will have a better response in sports, but it's the opposite with birth control pills for women because estrogen causes a decrease in muscle mass," explains Carlos Zúñiga, gynecologist and Reebok ambassador.

"For years, it has been studied and known that a female athlete who takes birth control pills will have lower performance than one who doesn't. Female hormones have a direct impact on skeletal muscle and present risks of joint injuries, decreased musculoskeletal system, knee problems, neuromuscular coordination, posture, among others," Zúñiga added.

Birth control pill is one of the most used methods by women; however, it is not entirely beneficial for sports. (Photo: Pixabay)

In addition, oral contraceptives with estrogen can cause a slight increase in the risk of developing blood clots or thrombosis in the legs.

"Hormones tend to increase the risk of developing blood clots and thrombosis, they affect blood coagulation, and if a woman does not have good blood clotting, embolisms and strokes can occur due to a direct effect on blood distribution. In addition, they result in low strength, the appearance of varicose veins on the legs, and various discomforts over the years such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, among others. To identify problems, a female athlete who takes birth control pills should be in constant communication with her gynecologist," added the specialist.

Although oral contraceptives allow the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, they do influence the lives of female athletes. (Photo: Pixabay)

What to do if you engage in high-performance sports?

Birth control pills alter hormonal profiles and make it difficult for women who take them to build muscle mass, as various studies have shown. Therefore, many athletes opt for non-hormonal contraceptive methods.

"In the federation and Olympic Committee, athletes are recommended to use condoms or intrauterine devices. It would be a bad idea for a high-performance athlete to use birth control pills. It is not beneficial at all, on the contrary, it is counterproductive for sports," added Carlos Zúñiga.