The Hidden Consequences of Hormonal Birth Control: Why Aren’t We Talking About This?

The Side Effects We Weren’t Warned About

For many women, starting hormonal birth control isn’t just an option, it’s an expectation. Whether it’s for pregnancy prevention, period regulation, or acne treatment, it’s marketed as a simple fix, with little warning about what could come next.

We don’t hear enough about the side effects that can leave women feeling like strangers in their own bodies. Anxiety that wasn’t there before. A sudden loss of libido. Mood swings that turn small frustrations into overwhelming emotions. Skin breakouts when you were promised clearer skin.

These aren’t rare experiences; they’re common. Yet when women raise concerns, they’re often dismissed. “Give it time.” “It’s probably just stress.” “Try a different brand.” The burden is always placed on us to endure, adjust, or switch.

For some, birth control works exactly as promised, offering stability, relief, and control. But if it’s not working for you, you deserve to know your options. And even if you choose to continue, you should be fully informed about the potential impact on your body and mind.

So why should we accept feeling worse just to have “control”? And why isn’t the medical field being held accountable for not giving us the full picture?

Mental Health Side Effects: More Than Just ‘Mood Swings’

Doctors rarely warn women that hormonal birth control can affect their mental health, but the research is clear.

A major study by the University of Copenhagen found that women on the combined pill were 23% more likely to be prescribed antidepressants, with teenage users at even higher risk (Skovlund et al., 2016). Other studies have linked birth control to increased anxiety, emotional blunting, and even a higher risk of suicide in some cases (Zettermark et al., 2018).

Yet when women report feeling off, whether irritable, unmotivated, or emotionally detached, it’s often dismissed. “That’s not a common side effect,” they’re told. But if thousands of women are saying the same thing, maybe the problem isn’t them.

Hormonal birth control doesn’t just prevent pregnancy, it alters brain chemistry, a fact that women deserve to know before they commit to treatment.

Where Did My Sex Drive Go?

Ironically, the pill is meant to give women more control over their sex lives, but for many, it has the opposite effect.

Research from the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that 25% of women on hormonal birth control experience a significant drop in libido (Pastoor et al., 2018). Some women report feeling disconnected from their own bodies, struggling with vaginal dryness, or simply not wanting sex anymore.

This happens because hormonal contraceptives suppress natural testosterone levels, a key hormone for sexual desire (Sanders et al., 2001). But no one mentions this at the GP appointment. Instead, women are left to blame themselves, wondering if something is wrong with them.

The truth? Nothing is wrong with you. But the pill can change your body’s chemistry, and your relationship with sex, without warning.

Hormonal Acne and Skin Woes

One of the biggest selling points of birth control is that it helps with acne. And for some, it does. But for others, it makes things worse.

Progestin-based contraceptives like the implant and some hormonal IUDs can trigger cystic acne by increasing oil production (Barbieri, 2019). It’s a cruel twist, many women start taking the pill to clear their skin, only to find themselves battling even worse breakouts than before.

If you’re never warned that this could happen, how can you make an informed choice?

Why Are Women Left to Figure This Out Alone?

The biggest problem isn’t just the side effects; it’s the fact that they’re so rarely acknowledged.

A 2020 survey found that 67% of women felt their concerns about birth control side effects were dismissed by doctors (Daniels & Mosher, 2020). Rather than being given the full picture, they’re handed a prescription and sent on their way.

Women are expected to just deal with it or go through endless “trial and error” until they find something tolerable. That’s not informed consent. That’s medical gaslighting.

It’s time to change the conversation.

What Are the Alternatives?

If hormonal birth control isn’t working for you, there are options, which deserve more discussion.

Non-hormonal options:

Copper IUD – Long-lasting, hormone-free, but can cause heavier periods initially (NHS, 2023).
Barrier methods – Condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps—all require consistency but avoid hormonal side effects (Planned Parenthood, 2023).
Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs) – Tracking ovulation naturally. Requires commitment but can be highly effective (CDC, 2023).

Lower-hormone options:

Mini-pill (progestin-only) – Can have fewer side effects but may still cause mood changes and irregular bleeding (FSRH, 2022).
Natural Cycles app – A digital contraceptive approved by the FDA, tracking body temperature to prevent pregnancy (FDA, 2023).

No one method is perfect. But women should at least be given all the information—not just the common narrative that makes hormonal birth control sound risk-free.

We Deserve Better Conversations

Women shouldn’t have to dig through Reddit forums and obscure research papers just to understand what their method of contraception is doing to their bodies.

What needs to change?

Doctors need to be honest. Side effects should be openly discussed, not downplayed or hidden in the small print.
Medical research needs to prioritise women’s experiences. If thousands of women report the same problems, they should be investigated—not dismissed.
Women should be given real choices. Birth control should be about informed choice, not just the illusion of it.

Hormonal birth control has given women control over their reproductive health, but at what cost? Feeling numb? Losing libido? Struggling with anxiety? These aren’t minor inconveniences, they’re life-altering.

If something feels wrong, trust yourself. You deserve to feel like you. And most importantly, you deserve the full truth about what’s going into your body.