Low energy, or fatigue, is a common side effect of birth control methods. But it may be helpful to talk with a healthcare professional first. They can determine whether it’s birth control or another condition that may be causing your symptoms.
According to a 2018 study, about 65% of women in the United States have used some form of contraception. Based on a 2022 study, about 25% of women use birth control pills as a form of contraception.
Why does birth control make you tired?
Doctors most commonly prescribe birth control pills as a form of contraception. These are grouped into two types:
- combined pills (which contain synthetic estrogen and progesterone)
- progesterone-only pills (which only contain synthetic progesterone)
While progesterone-only pills don’t list fatigue as a potential side effect, combined pills do.
A 2021 study, which looked into the effects of combined oral contraceptives on alertness and fatigue, found that people who used combined pills long term reported moderate to severe fatigue.
According to the study, fatigue may result from the digestive system’s effort to break down the components of the combined pills. These pills have low bioavailability, meaning the body absorbs only a small amount of their active ingredients.
Another study from 2023 involving male and female police officers found that women on hormonal contraceptives reported more fatigue and less alertness than their male counterparts.
People on birth control may also experience fatigue due to nutritional deficiencies. There’s a link between birth control pills and certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
A 2019 review linked oral contraceptives to deficiencies in:
- vitamin B2
- vitamin B6
- vitamin B12
- vitamin C
- vitamin E
- folic acid
- minerals like magnesium, selenium, and zinc
Managing fatigue while on birth control
If you’re on birth control and experiencing tiredness and fatigue, talk with your healthcare professional first. They’ll help determine whether it’s birth control or another condition that may be causing your symptoms.
Other possible causes of fatigue include anemia, mental health conditions, sleep problems, and nutrient deficiency.
If you’re new to taking birth control, it may take a couple of months for your body to adjust. In some cases, tiredness may go away over time.
A healthcare professional may also advise you to take vitamin and mineral supplements.
Birth control options to avoid fatigue
Birth control methods that often lead to fatigue are those containing a higher concentration of hormones, such as combination pills.
To avoid fatigue, healthcare professionals may recommend birth control containing a lower concentration of hormones.
Also, fatigue is not a side effect of progesterone-only pills, such as norethindrone. This contraceptive pill is usually available under the brand names, such as:
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Get free cardYou might also consider nonhormonal birth control methods, such as:
- condoms
- diaphragm
- spermicides
- nonhormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs)
Summary
Birth control options containing higher concentrations of hormones, such as combination pills, are more likely to cause fatigue.
There’s a link between oral contraceptive use and vitamin deficiencies. This may contribute to symptoms like fatigue.
It may help to take a vitamin or mineral supplement. Be sure to talk with a healthcare professional before taking supplements. They can help rule out other causes of fatigue, such as anemia or sleep problems.
If you’re experiencing fatigue while on birth control, you might consider switching to another form of contraception, including low-hormone pills or a nonhormonal IUD.
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