If you have diabetes, you know that your condition comes with a lot of health risks. This might limit the medications you are able to take. If you are thinking about avoiding pregnancy, which can also be impacted by (and impact) diabetes, you might wonder if it is safe for you to use birth control.
If you are thinking about taking birth control, there is a lot you need to know about how it may coincide with your health condition. Understanding your health condition may save your life.
There Are Risks to Birth Control With Diabetes
One of the first things you need to know about birth control is that it can impact your heart health. Individuals with diabetes may already be at a higher risk for cardiovascular issues in addition to issues like high blood pressure and blood clots. You do not want to increase your risks significantly, so you should discuss options with your doctor that will prevent you from seeing an increase in these symptoms.
In some cases, women with diabetes realize that some forms of birth control are simply not for them. For instance, many women with the condition also experience vaginal dryness, which can make some options, like the IUD, much more difficult to use.
If you live with diabetes, you also know that your blood sugar levels are very important to understand. Some hormonal methods of birth control have the ability to raise your blood sugar, which can be very dangerous for somebody with diabetes. Rather than take birth control pills, you might instead look into non-hormonal options.
There Are Also Risks With Pregnancy With Diabetes
Of course, it may also be important for you to avoid pregnancy at this point in your life. For somebody who has diabetes, pregnancy can become very dangerous. If you plan to get off birth control or become pregnant, it is important that you discuss these risks with your doctor as well.
What Should You Do?
If you are interested in birth control, it is important that you speak with a doctor. Do not try to use methods of birth control, especially hormonal options, without medical assistance.
It is important that you speak with a doctor who understands your diabetes and looks into your options for birth control. Hormonal options are not the only methods available, though they do work great for many women with health conditions. Each case is different.
For more information, talk to a primary care physician at a local clinic like Premiere Medical Center Med Partners.
