Birth control certainly provides some great benefits for women in terms of reproductive health. However, oral contraceptives could negatively affect the gastrointestinal tract of a woman. By understanding the risks and benefits of taking the pills to prevent pregnancy, ladies could make the appropriate decisions.

Birth Control Pills and Leaky Gut

Based on recent clinical and scientific studies, a woman's gut health may be adversely impacted by birth control pills. Packed with synthetic hormones, the medication disrupts the natural balance of beneficial and harmful gut flora. Oral contraceptives could lead to a condition that's known as leaky gut. Such a problem allows certain proteins and other nutrients to move from the intestines into the bloodstream. The thinning mucus membranes on the intestinal linings become more permeable. Therefore, undigested particles essentially invade and attack the circulatory system in the body. Inflammation is a major symptom of a leaky gut and lots of other chronic digestive disorders. The white blood cells and other blood cells quickly attack the enzymes and other particles that leak through the gut. Furthermore, the gut microbiome enters a horrendous cycle of damage and repair because of the inflammation in the intestines. A leaky gut may heal when some of the harmful bacteria colonies reach a certain threshold level.

Oral Contraceptives and Estrogen Metabolism

The most common forms of oral birth control may negatively impact the metabolism of certain compounds and nutrients. Some studies indicate a direct link between estrogen metabolism and pills that are taken to prevent pregnancy. The microbiome becomes disrupted by the synthetic hormones that are loaded into the medication. Consequently, some important bacterial colonies struggle to properly metabolize and digest excessive amounts of estrogen in the intestines. When her gut health is compromised, a woman might retain an abnormal level of estrogen and other hormones that ultimately regulate menstrual cycles and various reproductive processes. The estrobolome gut flora play important roles in managing the circulation of estrogen throughout a woman's body. A disruption in such microorganisms could also lead to mental anxiety, lower libido and depression. Weight gain and weight management could also be attributed to abnormal levels of female hormones.

Birth Control and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A woman's gut health is extremely sensitive to a wide range of naturally produced hormones. The gut flora might be hindered by oral contraceptives, which are loaded with synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone. When a healthy microbiome is overwhelmed by such compounds, it can lead to an inflammatory bowel disease. For example, women who regularly take oral contraceptives may be at a high risk of developing Crohn's disease. This disorder mainly impacts several different sections of the small intestine, which plays some of the most important roles in digestion. Abdominal pain is a common symptom of this disease. By balancing your microbiome with the appropriate level of probiotics and prebiotics, you could optimize your gut health. The beneficial gut bacteria and fiber could manage or mitigate some of the outbreaks caused by Crohn's disease. Additionally, some gut flora could prevent further inflammation from harmful bacteria inside the intestines. However, genetic factors also play a key role in the risk factor for developing Crohn's disease. If such an IBS runs in your family and you take some sort of oral contraception, you should be thoroughly checked and diagnosed.

Although birth control may provide some convenience for your lifestyle, you should closely consider some of the side effects on your gut health. Consisting of billions of microorganisms, your gut flora could be compromised by oral contraceptives. An imbalanced microbiome increases the risk of inflammation and other digestive problems.