Is it safe for me to use birth control pills if I have diabetes?

Birth control pills appear to be safe for women with diabetes to take, and they are certainly safer than a pregnancy for which you are unprepared. There is controversy among diabetes specialists about the best form of birth control for women with diabetes. Under certain circumstances, estrogen-containing birth control pills may affect blood glucose and blood cholesterol levels. For this reason, some physicians have not prescribed them for women with diabetes. Studies have shown, however, that blood glucose levels are no different in women who take birth control pills than in women who do not. Similarly, blood cholesterol and lipid levels are no different in women with diabetes who use birth control pills than in those who do not. There are other effective birth control methods, such as a diaphragm, that will not affect blood glucose at all. If you are concerned, talk to your health care team about which method of birth control will work best for you.

If you have prediabetes or diabetes, talk with your doctor about whether the birth control pills Levora or Lutera (ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel) make sense for you. Diabetes increases your risk for side effects from oral contraceptives like Levora and Lutera, including serious side effects like heart attack or stroke. These oral contraceptives can also make your blood sugar harder to control. Using an oral contraceptive for more than a year or two may make it more likely that you'll experience complications from your diabetes. If you are taking an oral contraceptive, your doctor should closely monitor your blood sugar levels.

Also, if you have diabetes, you can take medroxyprogesterone, but you should be aware of all of the risks and benefits first. This medication may make diabetes harder to control. Speak to your doctor prior to taking your first dose of medroxyprogesterone about any questions and concerns you may have.