The risks of combining cannabis and contraception

Smoking always poses health risks, from life-threatening problems such as cardiovascular health and increased risk of cancer to more unnecessary damage such as the health of your skin and teeth. When it comes to pregnancy, smoking is one of the riskiest and most dangerous things you can do. What many people don’t know is that smoking can also have a negative impact on your contraception.

The combination of cigarette smoking and contraception has been associated with an increased risk of developing blood clots and other types of cardiovascular disease. There are also a variety of contraceptive methods, some of which pose significant risks on their own. For example, a few years ago, the makers of Nuva Ring were sued by various women who argued that this particular method of birth control significantly increased their risk of getting blood clots and embolisms. All of these risks are increased in women over 35 who have a pre-existing medical condition.

But what about smoking marijuana? What impact does this have on birth control? The short answer: Experts aren’t entirely sure.

RELATED: What You Need to Know About Marijuana and Birth Control

Although THC has been linked to increased blood pressure, which could theoretically become a problem when combined with birth control, there aren’t too many studies to support this theory. A study published in 2016 Hypertension Journal found “a modest association between recent cannabis use and systolic blood pressure,” but stressed the importance of waiting for further studies to investigate further.

Another fact to contend with is that some experts believe THC could interfere with your birth control and make it less effective, especially if the birth control is estrogen-based. It appears that THC may actually increase estrogen levels, potentially leading to a higher risk of blood clots and stroke.

Photo by Simone van der Koelen via Unsplash

When it comes to CBD, studies show that the compound can interact with various substances we take, including birth control pills.

According to CBD retailer Onyx + Rose, enzyme inhibitors like CBD can potentially increase breakthrough bleeding and reduce the effectiveness of estrogen-based contraceptives, leading to an increased risk of unwanted pregnancy.

RELATED: How Birth Control Can Affect Your Sex Drive

A large percentage of people use some form of contraception, be it pills, condoms, or vaginal rings. Most can adapt these methods to their daily lives and still manage to smoke cigarettes or marijuana. What people can do to stay as safe as possible is to weigh all options, use contraception recommended by a professional, and carefully consider which method of marijuana ingestion is best for them and their situation is.

Clearly more research is needed to keep people safe and help us all understand how cannabis interacts with our bodies. Until then, it’s best to have an honest conversation with your doctor.