Why Is Your Blood Pressure Important When Getting a Birth Control Prescription?

For your safety, before prescribing birth control, Pandia Health’s doctors need a recent blood pressure reading. It’s essential because most birth control can raise your blood pressure. If left unchecked, high blood pressure can increase the risk of serious health issues like stroke and heart attack. 

Here’s why it’s important and what you need to know:

Hormonal Birth Control and Blood Pressure

Birth control containing estrogen can lead to a slight increase in blood pressure. For most people, this rise is negligible, but for those with already high or borderline blood pressure, it can be dangerous.

How Different Types of Birth Control Affect Blood Pressure and Risk for Heart Attacks and Stroke

Combination Hormonal Birth Control “the pill, patch, or ring”

Combination birth control, which has both estrogen and progestin, is one of the most commonly prescribed birth control methods. However, the estrogen component can increase blood pressure and “bad” cholesterol levels. This raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Progesterone Only Birth Control: pills, Injection (Depo-Provera) “the shot”, implants, hormonal IUDs

Although Progesterone Only Pills, Depo-Provera, the birth control implant, and hormonal IUDs don’t contain estrogen, they have the potential to increase “bad” cholesterol. For women with high blood pressure, this can pose an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.

Who Can Safely Use Estrogen-Containing Birth Control?

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor will carefully follow the US Medical Eligibility Criteria before prescribing birth control. Here’s how they typically decide:

• Safe to use estrogen-containing birth control: Those with ovaries and normal blood pressure and no other major heart disease risk factors can usually use birth control with estrogen. 
• Should avoid estrogen-containing birth control: Those with ovaries aged 35 or older and current smoker/vaper, even with controlled blood pressure, should avoid estrogen-containing birth control due to the higher risk of cardiovascular issues. Additionally, anyone of any age with multiple risk factors for heart disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure should avoid both estrogen-containing birth control.

Managing Your Blood Pressure for Safe Birth Control Use

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor will most likely recommend progestin-only options such as Progestin Only Pills (POPs), hormonal IUDs, implant, or non-hormonal birth control methods e.g. copper IUD, and condoms. Additionally, you can work with your primary care provider on lifestyle changes and possibly medications to help lower your blood pressure. By keeping your blood pressure in check, you can reduce your risk of strokes and heart attacks.

How to Monitor Your Blood Pressure

If you’re considering hormonal birth control, checking your blood pressure at least once a year is key. Many pharmacies offer free self-operated blood pressure machines, and you can also purchase home blood pressure monitors at drug stores or online. You can also check free blood pressure checks at your local fire station, because most fire prevention professionals are also EMTs (call in advance to check before you go though).  Regular monitoring helps ensure that your birth control remains a safe option for you.

Takeaway

Your blood pressure reading is a critical piece of information when it comes to choosing/using the best and thus safest birth control method for you. Given the potential health risks, especially for women with high blood pressure or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, keeping track of your blood pressure and discussing it with your doctor is vital for making informed decisions about your health.