What Happens If You Vape While on Birth Control? (All You Need to Know)

Since 2014, vapes have been rising in popularity, especially among youth, and according to statistics, around 9 million people in the US regularly vape!

More and more women are joining the club of vape users, which makes them question the correlation and potential consequences of vaping and using birth control!

According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 65% of women aged 15-49 are on some type of birth control.

So, it is a reasonable question: “What happens if you vape on birth control? Let’s check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGZDbuBvXJ8

Smoking and Vaping: Is it the same?

Before we start dealing with the main issue of this article, we must go through the differences and similarities between smoking and vaping because there is much misinformation that may influence your or someone else’s decision-making.

So, you have probably heard that vaping is better than smoking. That is true, but it does not mean vaping is risk-free and safe. Any doctor or physician will tell you that not smoking or vaping is the best choice, but many people are unwilling to quit!

The main difference between smoking and vaping is the way of delivering nicotine: in smoking, you get the nicotine by burning the tobacco, while in vaping, the device heats the liquid containing nicotine, and the users inhale the vapor.

The smoke of regular cigarettes has around 7,000 chemicals most of which are harmful. However, although vapes are hailed as healthy cigarettes, according to CDC, in 2020, there were many reported cases of lung injury (VALI) associated with the consumption of vapes.

In other words, even though vaping is a better option, it still means that it can expose you to certain risks if you take hormonal birth control.

If your vape does not contain nicotine, there is nothing to worry about!

Can I Vape and Use Birth Control?

It depends on several factors, such as your age, how much you vape daily, and what type of birth control you use.

According to CDC, women aged over 35 that vape often on a daily basis (amount equivalent to a pack of cigarettes) should not be using the ring, pill, or patch. Why? Well, you are probably familiar with the way the combination pill works.

Most combination method pills contain two hormones, estrogen, and progesterone, which prevent ovulation or the ovaries from releasing the egg. So, pregnancy cannot occur because there is no egg to be fertilized.

You cannot smoke/vape because the combination of nicotine, a toxic chemical, with a combination pill containing the hormones mentioned above can cause various health issues.

So, if you are an avid vape user and currently on birth control, we suggest that you inform your doctor about your vaping habits so that they can prescribe a different type of contraception.

What Happens If I Vape and Use Birth Control?

Smoking or vaping on its own has many consequences and potential risks ranging from cancer, stroke, diabetes, lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and the list goes on and on.

Considering that electronic cigarettes entered the American market around 2006, many vapers have previously smoked regular cigarettes or used them to refrain from usual cigarette smoking. That said, many of the vapers can develop various smoking-related diseases.

On that note, many researches have shown that vaping while using oral contraceptives can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular issues and side effects, including stroke, heart attack, and, most commonly, blood clots.

Generally, most gynecologists agree that prescribing hormonal birth control to women over 35 should be done with caution.

The nicotine in the vape and the hormones in the birth pill affect our blood flow, and blood vessels in long-time smokers are already hard and restricted- it is basically like adding fuel to the fire.

Birth control adds stress to your blood vessels due to estrogen, increasing the chances of heart attack, blood clots, and stroke.

In other words, the pill changes the hormone levels, which can result in thickening of the blood, resulting in blood clots.

Our vessels should be soft and pliable to transmit blood to our brains and body. Unfortunately, their main function becomes hindered or obstructed in long-term heavy smokers or vapers.

So, taking birth control on its own already has some side effects and potential risks, and in combination with vaping, it triples or even quadruples the chances of heart attack and stroke.

What Can I Use Instead of Combination Pill?

You need a birth control method or options that do not include hormones! If you are a smoker or vaper over 35, the best choice for you would be progestin-only pills, also known as POPs.

These pills do not contain estrogen, meaning they will not affect your blood flow, minimizing the chances of getting blood clots and heart attacks.

1. Progestin-only Pills

Progestin-only pills are recommended for women who smoke, struggle with weight, have migraine headaches, and have a history of blood clots and high blood pressure. Progestin is a human-made synthetic version of progesterone.

In addition to the complications connected with smoking and taking pills, other factors can contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular side effects.

For example, weight and family history can be a huge factor, especially for those diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

Some people are genetically predisposed to heart disease and have higher chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

2. Copper IUD

Besides the progestin-only pills, there is also copper IUD or copper intrauterine device, which is known for having 99.2% effectiveness at preventing pregnancy, plus it can last between 5 and 10 years.

The copper IUD works on the principle of using the properties of copper to keep the sperm at bay and stop the egg from implanting on the uterus wall or lining. Although this IUD is the only hormone-free IUD, it has some negative side effects.

Women who used it reported having heavier periods and experiencing more severe cramps and other PMS symptoms. The effects are most pronounced during the first 3 to 6 months since getting the device. Afterward, the effects will subside.

However, you probably know that copper IUDs and progestin-only pills will not keep you safe from sexually transmitted diseases. The only contraception that offers that ‘commodity’ is a condom, which is another form of birth control option to consider.

3. Hormonal IUD and others

Unlike their coppery friends, the hormonal intrauterine device relies on progestin to prevent pregnancy in women.

The device releases different amounts of progestin and, in that way, can stop you from ovulating, or it thins out the uterus lining so the egg, even if it gets fertilized, cannot implant itself to the lining.

Hormonal IUD can also have side effects, such as painful and irregular periods and increased discharge. In addition, not all women can get IUD, those that experience vaginal bleeding, for example, or have an AIDS infection should avoid it.

There are other, slightly less effective methods to consider: spermicide, diaphragm, cervical cap, and sponge.

This information is for informational purposes, so you can have the same background and make a well-informed decision, but they do not substitute professional medical advice! If you have any doubts and want to try a new form of birth control, contact your doctor!

Will Smoking Cigarettes or Vaping Cancel Out the Effects of Birth Control?

The answer is no! The issue with combining nicotine and birth control is that it elevates your chances of getting a blood clot, stroke, or heart attack, but it will not cancel out the effects of birth control.

As mentioned, vaping has its side effects and potential consequences for your health, and the same goes for most hormonal birth control methods. Therefore, hormonal birth control and smoking should be avoided!

Will Vaping Weed Cancel Out The Effects of Birth Control?

Considering that nicotine, flavoring, propylene glycol, and glycerin are not the only things that can be found inside a vape cartridge, some vapers also wonder whether weed of THC can affect the efficiency of hormonal birth control!

Well, the jury is still out on this one! Currently, there is no evidence to show a correlation between the consumption of THC while taking hormonal birth control.

On the other hand, several studies have shown that vaping weed can temporarily increase your heart rate and blood pressure. However, there are some other side effects to regular consumption of cannabis.

Those include both mental and physical health risks ranging from developing lung conditions, having breathing issues, suppressing ovulation, giving mood swings, disturbing your sleep, making you depressed, and many others.

If you have a heart condition or a history of heart issues, then you should definitely avoid vaping weed while on birth control because you are at a higher risk of developing serious heart disease.

However, there is still insufficient evidence to point to a certain correlation between the two. The best option would be to inform your doctor about the recreational use of marijuana so that they can review potential health risks and other birth control options.

Conclusion

So, the most important takeaway from the article is that combining hormonal birth control while vaping for women over 35 is not a good idea, to say the least! Generally, there is a proven correlation between smoking and taking birth control, which may result in health issues.

As mentioned, before you make any decision, consult your gynecologist or OB/ GYN and be completely honest. According to several studies, many women fail to inform the doctor of their smoking habits, which puts them at numerous health risks!

Did you know that smoking and taking hormonal birth control can be lethal? Please, share your experience with us! If you have any questions, feel free to address them in the comment section!