Hormonal health experts share research findings on three sneaky ways the birth control pill affects athletic performance.
Or, perhaps youre a weight lifter struggling to build muscle.
3 ways birth control pills affect athletic performance
1.
May impair muscle growth
Popping birth control pills may pause your pump, per research.
One 2021 study in theJournal of Strength and Conditioning Researchfound thatoral contraceptive use may minimize muscle gains.
In general, the more intense your workout, the more oxygen your body needs to keep you powered.
functional nutritionist, women’s hormone expert, and founder of FLO Living
Furthermore, every person responds differently to oral contraceptives based on their unique physiology, says Dr. DeCesaris.
Some people may not notice any detrimental impact to their performance, while others may experience unwanted negative impacts.
Im an athlete.
What birth control option is right for me?
Ultimately, you and your healthcare provider may decide that a hormonal birth control does make sense for you.
Still, its important that you understand that the birth control pill isnt your only option.
One option would be to get a progestin-only or copper IUD, says Dr. Sims.
Most important, says Dr. Sims, is to talk to your provider about all of your goals.
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functional nutritionist, women’s hormone expert, and founder of FLO Living
