There are many different ways to smoke, including vaping and nicotine or marijuana cigarettes. Research indicates that smoking can have severe health implications. Smoking is associated with a higher risk of certain cancers, such as cancer in the lungs, throat, mouth, cervix, pancreas, and bladder. It also increases the risk of cardiovascular problems and premature death.
Healthcare professionals advise against smoking because of the toll it can take on the human body. When smoking is coupled with birth control, there is an increased risk of potential heart problems, raised blood pressure, and stroke.1
This article will discuss what you need to know about smoking and birth control.
Smoking and Birth Control
Few studies have evaluated the relationship between smoking and birth control. However, one review of the literature examining the association found that smoking while taking oral contraceptives could increase nicotine metabolism and the body’s stress response.2
The combination birth control pill contains estrogen and progestin. Increased estrogen levels can cause changes to a person’s blood, which heightens their risk of getting blood clots. For this reason, Planned Parenthood recommends that progestin-only pills may be a better option for smokers if you continue to smoke.3
Individuals over the age of 35 considering birth control should consult with a healthcare provider, as their risk for health problems may be elevated due to factors such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes, or vascular diseases.
The risk of stroke or heart attack can increase with age and the use of birth control pills due to the impacts of smoking. If an individual has already survived a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot, talking with a healthcare provider is recommended to determine the safest and most effective method of birth control.
The patch, pill, and ring (NuvaRing) are not recommended for individuals who smoke.
Smoking and Hormonal Birth Control
Smoking in combination with taking hormonal birth control pills, the patch, or using the ring can pose significant risks to your health, such as a heightened risk for heart and vascular problems. Consulting with your healthcare provider is the best way to identify and discuss all of the birth control options available to you.
Vaping vs. Cigarettes
Research is lacking on smoking and the use of birth control in general. Because vaping is a newer method of smoking, there is insufficient research to draw conclusions.
However, the common ingredient between cigarettes and vapes is nicotine. Therefore, when considering the risks smoking cigarettes pose while taking birth control—such as the increased risk of heart problems, blood clots, and stroke—and factoring in the same main ingredient with vapes, it’s possible that vapes may cause similar issues.4
Still, further research will lead to a better understanding.
Nicotine
Nicotine is harmful to the heart.5 It can lead to increases in blood pressure and heart rate. The combination of these symptoms may result in a heart attack, which can be fatal.
Smoking can also cause blood to thicken, which increases the risk of stroke or blood clots.
Nicotine Use
It is important to keep in mind that nicotine is present in cigarettes and vapes, so the risk increases regardless of what smoking method a person chooses.
Marijuana
There is also a lack of evidence exploring the combination of smoking marijuana while using birth control.
Like with nicotine, smoking marijuana may cause blood pressure problems.6 More research on this topic will provide better insight into the relationship.
Still, a healthcare professional may not prescribe certain forms of birth control if a patient is actively smoking marijuana.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
If you are a smoker, setting up an appointment with your healthcare provider before introducing any new medications to discuss the pros, cons, and possible complications can help you make an informed decision about your health.
Summary
Smoking increases your risk for serious health conditions regardless of birth control use, but adding oral contraceptives to the mix may complicate things even further.
If you are a smoker over the age of 35, the combination pill is not recommended due to the estrogen it contains, along with the potential risk for heart problems and blood clots. You may be able to use a progestin-only pill instead.
While more research needs to be conducted to understand the implications of smoking marijuana, cigarettes, and vapes while using oral birth control methods, non-hormonal methods such as the copper IUD may serve as better options for smokers.
A Word From Verywell
If you are a smoker, you may have questions about how taking birth control can pose further risks to your health. Talk to a healthcare provider to discuss these complications or to seek further information and resources about how to quit smoking.
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