Best Birth Control for PCOS

Contraceptive Considerations

Polycystic ovary syndrome, also called PCOS, is a hormonal disorder that causes enlargement of the ovaries and the development of small cysts.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PCOS affects between 6 and 12% of women. Researchers do not know the exact cause of the disorder. But it appears a combination of environmental factors and genetics may play a role in the development of PCOS.

Treatment may include a combination of lifestyle changes and hormonal birth control. The article below takes a look at the best birth control options for PCOS.

PCOS Symptoms

Every female with PCOS may experience symptoms differently. For instance, some people have mild symptoms. In other cases, someone may develop severe symptoms that interfere with their quality of life.

How Hormonal Birth Control Treats PCOS

Currently, there is no cure for PCOS. But treatment can help reduce symptoms and manage the condition. One option to treat PCOS is hormonal birth control. Doctors theorize that abnormalities in hormone levels contribute to PCOS.

Taking hormonal birth control can regulate some hormonal imbalances. Depending on the hormones in specific birth control, it may help raise estrogen levels and decrease excess male hormones, especially testosterone.

When hormone levels become balanced, it often reduces symptoms of PCOS. Birth control also serves the purpose of reducing the risk of pregnancy, which may also be the goal for some women.

Birth Control Options

Birth control appears to be a good option to treat PCOS. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, hormonal birth control can be used long-term to treat PCOS in women that do not want to become pregnant.

The best birth control option to treat PCOS may depend on the severity of symptoms, the desire to prevent pregnancy and other existing medical conditions.

Options include the following:

Combination Pills: Combination birth control pills contain both progesterone and estrogen. This helps improve estrogen levels and decrease the testosterone the body produces. This is often the best treatment option for PCOS. Doctors further classify the pills according to the amount of estrogen they contain.
Birth Control Patch: A birth control patch also contains progesterone and estrogen. A patch worn on the skin delivers hormones into the bloodstream through the skin via a patch. This option is a good choice for women that do not want to remember to take a pill daily.
Minipills: Minipills contain only contain progesterone. Some women may have side effects or risk factors which make it difficult to take combination birth control pills. Progesterone-only minipills suppress luteinizing hormone, which may reduce symptoms of PCOS. This is a good option for women that do not want to take pills containing estrogen.
Hormonal Intrauterine Device (IUD): An IUD is a device inserted into the uterus by a healthcare provider. The IUD releases progesterone. Although it does not release estrogen, it can help both prevent pregnancy and improve symptoms of PCOS. A hormonal IUD can stay in the uterus anywhere from three to eight years, depending on the specific device.
Keep in mind, not all IUDs help treat PCOS. Some IUDs do not contain hormones. For example, a copper IUD prevents pregnancy. But since it does not contain hormones, it does not help treat PCOS. A hormonal IUD is a good choice for women that do not want to take a pill and do not plan to get pregnant for several years.
Birth Control Implant: Like an IUD, a birth control implant contains progesterone. The implant is a thin rod that your doctor inserts under the skin. The rod contains progesterone that is released into the body. Typically, an implant lasts for about three years. A birth control implant may work best for someone that wants a progesterone-only option but does not want an IUD.

Choosing the Best Birth Control Option for PCOS

The types of birth control that is best for someone with PCOS may depend on a few factors, such as the following:

Symptoms of PCOS: Some women have more significant symptoms of PCOS than others. Combination birth control pills may work best if PCOS symptoms are severe.
Side Effects: Hormonal birth control can have side effects. Certain types of birth control may have more side effects than others. Plus, everyone may respond differently to hormonal birth control.
Desire to Prevent Pregnancy: Some forms of hormonal birth control may have a higher rate of preventing pregnancy than others.
Lifestyle: Choosing a form of hormonal birth control that is convenient is important. Not everyone wants to have to take a pill every day.

Birth Control Options for PCOS

Contraceptive Considerations