COVID-19 & Birth Control

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted access to sexual and reproductive health resources for many people.

Although the body of research is very new, it’s important to note the potential risks of COVID-19 if you are on birth control.

First, let’s define COVID-19: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. CDC has information on COVID-19 symptoms and caring for yourself and others.

COVID-19 and Blood Clots:
‍In general, those who use birth control containing estrogen, and those who are pregnant, may be at a higher risk of developing blood clots. According to the Cleveland Clinic, taking hormonal birth control increases your risk for blood clots two to four times. New research shows that if women contract the COVID-19 virus, the risk of blood clots may be higher. If you do contract COVID-19, you should talk to your doctor about whether it’s appropriate to continue birth control.

COVID-19 and Antibiotics:
‍According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), antibiotics do not prevent or treat COVID-19, because COVID-19 is caused by a virus, not bacteria. If someone with COVID-19 develops a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia (the flu), a doctor may recommend antibiotics. You may have heard that antibiotics lessen the effectiveness of birth control, but there is no substantial evidence to back this up. Most antibiotics will not prevent your birth control from working properly, with the exception of rifamycins.

Here’s the bottom line: There are risks associated with taking hormonal birth control, but for many people, the benefits far outweigh the risks. It’s important to discuss any changes in your health with your doctor, so that they can help determine what’s best for you. It’s important that your doctor knows all of the medications you are taking, in case any of them interact poorly together.

With a service like Twentyeight Health, you can get a birth control prescription online and receive birth control delivered to your door without risking your safety to see a doctor in person, or picking up your prescription from the pharmacy.

Please note that information and research on COVID-19 may continue to change over time as we learn more. Stay safe and healthy by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing!

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Looking for more personalized info? Message a doctor through Twentyeight to get medical advice based on your needs and lifestyle.

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