Can birth control pills cause insulin resistance?
Taking oral contraceptives may promote insulin resistance, particular in those with diabetes or prediabetes. Oral contraceptives contain synthetic forms of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone. A 2014 review by Cortes, et al, concluded that taking these synthetic hormones—especially estrogen—appears to contribute to insulin resistance, making blood sugar control more difficult. If you feel that you've become more insulin resistant as a result of taking birth control pills, you may want to speak with your doctor about switching to a formulation that contains less estrogen.
Answered By dLife Expert: Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE
Certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian living in Southern California.
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