Hormonal birth control use carries long-term health risks for women and their children
Multiple studies demonstrate that hormonal birth control use can carry long-term health risks, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and psychological side effects, particularly among susceptible or high-risk women.
The retrieved literature consistently supports the claim that hormonal contraceptives carry various potential health risks (such as cardiovascular, metabolic, and psychological effects), particularly for women with underlying medical vulnerabilities or specific risk factors. There are no papers refuting the existence of these risks, though studies note that absolute event rates in healthy populations remain low and depend heavily on formulation and individual health status.
Kampire MG, Hakizimana JC, Mucumbitsi J, Alagbonsi AI. Pathophysiological Consequences Associated with Hormonal Contraceptives Use in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.2147/oajc.s563680
This scoping review highlights that hormonal contraceptives are linked to diverse adverse outcomes, including cardiometabolic, hematological, immunological, and psychological consequences in women.
See more details
Erietta Karaviti, Hanna Wierenga, Femke Geusens, Frida Gyllenberg, Fotios C. Papadopoulos, Alkistis Skalkidou. Can reporting mood swings during oral contraceptive use predict peripartum depression? Results from the Swedish longitudinal cohort study Mom2B. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2025.10135
This study demonstrates that self-reported mood swings during oral contraceptive use are associated with increased risks of peripartum depressive symptoms.
Place NJ, Yan W. An evolutionary medicine perspective on the design of non-hormonal contraceptives for women.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1093/emph/eoag008
This paper notes that while hormonal contraceptives offer cancer-protective benefits, oral contraceptive use can be variably associated with elevated breast cancer risk.
Eze ED, Ntakirutimana L, Onaadepo O, TerKimbi SD, Umar AH, Ani EJ, Abdulazeez J. Cardiometabolic, Glycaemic, and Metabolic Safety of Hormonal Contraceptives in Women with Medical Conditions: A Systematic Review.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.s601229
This systematic review identifies modest adverse cardiometabolic changes, such as blood pressure and lipid variations, in high-risk populations using hormonal contraceptives.
Waluszewska I, Borowiec A, Paciorek A, Musz L, Szczurek-Wasilewicz W. Cardiovascular Safety of Hormonal Contraception: Method-Specific Risks and Clinical Implications.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci14020201
This review highlights that estrogen-containing combined hormonal contraceptives increase risks such as venous thromboembolism and blood pressure elevation, especially in susceptible individuals.
Castro Rivero LC, Zúñiga Gómez E, Durán Monge PR. Contraception in Women With Medical Comorbidities: Clinical Risk Stratification and Individualized Therapeutic Strategies.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.105102
This paper details how systemic effects of hormonal contraceptives can increase risks of venous thromboembolism, hypertension, and metabolic issues in women with underlying conditions.
The paper trail · every fact has a biography
Challenge the receipt
Citation formatting by citeproc-js (Frank Bennett) and the Citation Style Language project. Source and licenses.
Terms · Privacy · How verdicts work · Dispute this receipt