Does Vaping Affect Birth Control? Everything You Need to Know

If you’re a vaper or e cigarette user considering birth control, you may be concerned about the risks involved.

So, does vaping affect birth control?

The short answer: vaping nicotine does interfere with some birth control measures.

Let’s explore the three risks of vaping nicotine and the types of birth control to avoid.

Does that mean you’ll need to give up vaping use altogether?

Not really. High-quality nicotine-free vapes minimize the risk factors and can be a safer option when on birth control.

Read more:

This Article Covers:

How Does Vaping Affect Birth Control? (3 Nicotine Risk Factors)

Vaping is a popular inhalation method requiring electronic cigarettes or vape pen devices.

Much like traditional cigarettes and tobacco products, vape juices contain nicotine.

But, while vaping is considered less harmful than smoking regular cigarettes, studies indicate that using a vape pen is still unsafe due to its nicotine content.

So, how exactly does vaping affect birth control?

The fact is: there’s limited research on the correlation between vaping and birth control.

But, existing studies point out that some hormonal birth control options come with risk factors, including cardiovascular side effects.

These health effects can worsen through nicotine vaping, cigarette smoking or the use of other tobacco products, especially if you’re over 35 years.

Did you know? Cigarette smoke may have more than 7,000 chemicals. 70 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer.

Here are the three risk factors to watch out for:

1. Increased Risk of Clogged Arteries

Here’s the deal:

Hormonal birth control contains estrogen. Now, estrogen can increase the risk of blood clots in the body by three-to-four fold.

And guess what: nicotine can interfere with the body’s hormone activity and cause blood clots.

As a result, nicotine vaping or e cigarette use can further increase the risk factor.

But it gets worse.

These blood clots can eventually lead to blocked arteries and more severe conditions.

Did you know: As per the Centers for Disease Control, nicotine smoking kills more than 480,000 people annually in the United States.

Worldwide, tobacco kills over eight million people yearly, making tobacco use a significant public health concern.

2. Increased Risk of Stroke & Heart Attack

Here’s what the World Health Organization says:

Women who vape or smoke nicotine while on hormonal birth control pills are at a greater risk of a cardiovascular disease like a stroke or heart attack.

How?

Nicotine can harden the walls of the arteries, causing a decrease in blood flow and leading to a heart attack.

And as mentioned before, the estrogen in hormonal birth control further stresses the blood vessels.

It’s important to note that the risk of a heart attack and other cardiovascular disease increases with the quantity of nicotine consumed.

You may be wondering: How does nicotine affect pregnant women?

During pregnancy, the body’s estrogen levels rise naturally. As a result, pregnant women who inhale nicotine will have a higher risk of blood clots.

3. Increased Risk of Bleeding or Spotting

Researchers found that vaping and smoking cigarettes while on oral birth control increase the risk of spotting. (Spotting refers to any bleeding from the vagina that’s not due to a women’s monthly menstrual cycle.)

How?

Nicotine use could influence how the body breaks down estrogen.

This causes an imbalance in estrogen levels and may lead to irregular bleeding.

On top of that, the risk of spotting may prevent people from taking the pill, leading to an unwanted pregnancy.

And while only 1 in 100 women will become pregnant while using the combined pill regularly, there is still a tiny chance it could happen.

Here’s a fact: Approximately two-thirds of Americans between 15 and 49 years use a birth control method.

Besides, studies link nicotine and tobacco use with several other health complications, including those affecting the following:

  • Central nervous system: lightheadedness, dizziness, and headaches
  • Respiratory system: shortness of breath, cancer, bronchospasm
  • Gastrointestinal system: peptic ulcer, diarrhea, nausea
  • Reproductive system: nicotine use can impact fertility
  • Mental health issues: depression, anxiety, brain fog


That’s not all.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that secondhand smoke causes 41,000 deaths.

It’s evident that combining nicotine and hormonal birth control comes with serious health risks.

But can vaping nicotine cancel out birth control altogether?

Some studies indicate that e cigarette use or smoking nicotine may have an anti-estrogenic effect.

The result?

Their use can likely affect the efficacy of estrogen-based birth control measures.

And since birth control is all about being certain, it’s better to be on the safe side and avoid using nicotine (or use a safer birth control option).

Now, let's take a closer look at the types of birth control to avoid if you’re a vape pen or e cigarette user (or smoke regular cigarettes).

Did you know? The Centers for Disease Control reports that secondhand smoke causes 41,000 deaths. Moreover, secondhand smoke from regular cigarettes contains carbon monoxide and methane. These byproducts adversely affect our planet's environmental health.

What Types of Birth Control Should You Avoid While Vaping Nicotine?

Nicotine primarily affects hormonal birth control. These include:

  • A combination birth control pill (aka ‘the pill’)
  • Birth control patches
  • Birth control rings (NuvaRing, Annovera)

The science behind it?

Hormonal birth control options contain the hormones estrogen (often containing Ethinyl estradiol) and progestin.

And as mentioned before: This extra estrogen, together with nicotine, increases the overall risk of clotting and other health conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this is especially true for oral contraceptives (the birth control pill) and vapers over 35 years old.

Besides, hormonal contraceptives have been linked to higher incidences of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Important: If you smoke or vape nicotine, consult your healthcare provider before starting hormonal birth control.

What Types of Birth Control Are Safe to Use While Vaping or Smoking?

If you’re a long-term nicotine user, quitting smoking cold turkey (or stopping abruptly) might be a daunting prospect.

So, what are some safe birth control options to use while vaping nicotine?

A. Non Hormonal Contraceptives

This birth control method includes options like the copper IUD and progestin-only contraceptive methods. This consists of the minipill (progestin only pill), the hormonal IUD, and the shot.

B. Barrier Methods

Barrier methods consist of:

  • Spermicide
  • Condom
  • Sponge
  • Diaphragm
  • Cervical cap

While somewhat less effective than contraceptives like an IUD, these don’t contain any hormones. As a result, these options come with minimal risk of cardiovascular disease.

C. Emergency Contraceptives

Much like the previous two options, this birth control method won’t interact with smoking nicotine.

These options include over-the-counter pills like Plan B and Ulipristal acetate (aka Ella).

‘Plan B’ and ‘Ella’ differ from the regular pill as they serve as emergency contraceptives. While the regular pill is taken daily to prevent pregnancy, emergency contraceptives are taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

It’s clear that combining nicotine and hormonal birth control could be a health hazard. Not to forget the many other side effects of inhaling nicotine.

So it’s best to quit smoking regular and electronic cigarettes or other tobacco products while on hormonal birth control.

The question is: Could you still enjoy vaping without the side effects of nicotine?

Definitely.

Let’s explore a much safer alternative to regular cigarettes and nicotine vapes.

Nicotine-Free Vapes: A Safer Option When on Birth Control

 

A nicotine-free vape pen is an excellent way to reduce or eliminate nicotine while on birth control.

It can also help you cope with nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it a fantastic smoking cessation aid.

But it’s important to avoid low-quality nicotine-free vapes.

Why?

They contain harmful chemicals and additives that defeat the purpose of opting for a safer vaping option.

Instead, opt for a reliable brand like Cyclone Pods for a smooth and safe vaping experience.

Cyclone Pods is a reputed nicotine-free vaping company based in California. Their health-focused range uses only high-quality ingredients in the vape juice.

Cyclone Pods’ superb vaping products are:

  • Free from nicotine and tobacco
  • Don’t contain harmful substances like vitamin E acetate and diacetyl
  • Non-addictive
  • Come in many delicious flavour options

Looking to kickstart your nicotine-free vaping journey?

The Nicotine-Free Thunder Tobacco Starter Kit is a great starting point! The starter kit contains everything you need – vaping device, a USB charging cable, and a single vape juice pod.

Fancy something disposable?

The Gust Super Strawberry device may be right up your alley. This long-lasting and sleek vape can last for up to 5000 puffs. You can even recharge to get more mileage out of it.

While it’s pretty clear that nicotine is a no-go with some birth control.

But what about vaping cannabis?

Can You Vape Cannabis While on Birth Control?

Studies have shown that smoking cannabis (aka marijuana) can produce side effects similar to nicotine.

Meaning?

It could increase the risk of blood pressure and cardiovascular disease when used on birth control.

What do the professionals say?

Health professionals advise you to err on the side of caution when smoking marijuana while on birth control, specifically oral contraceptives like birth control pills.

Note: The best thing you can do is to speak to your healthcare provider or gynecologist regarding the health effects of vaping nicotine or cannabis while on birth control.

Opt For Nicotine-Free Vaping While on Birth Control

While the verdict is still out on the exact effects of vaping on birth control, the existing research on cigarette smoking and nicotine serves as a guiding light.

Hormonal birth control options, primarily oral contraceptives, can pose severe health risks when combined with nicotine.

They may also lose their efficacy due to nicotine.

If you’re an e cigarette user or smoker, your best bet is to use non-hormonal birth control or nicotine-free vapes.

Explore Cyclone Pods for a vast selection of nicotine-free products for a safe and pleasurable vaping experience!
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