If you are someone that is on birth control, then you may be worried about the effects that taking CBD and birth control at the same time can have on your body. You can take CBD and birth control at the same time, however we always recommend speaking to a doctor before actually doing so. There is some concern that CBD may decrease the effectiveness of the estrogen-based pills, so use it with caution.

More research is need on CBD and birth control before any conclusive statements can be made. The information we have now indicates that there should be a decrease in effectiveness when taking CBD with birth control pills.

CBD Oil and Oestrogen

CBD oil may alter the effects of various birth control preparations. Most importantly, contraceptives that feature oestrogen or synthetic oestrogen (ethinyl oestradiol) are likely to cause adverse reactions when combined with CBD.

CBD could decrease the contraceptive potential of oestrogen-based birth control formulas. Additionally, oestrogen could reduce the elimination of cannabinoids from the body, changing how these natural compounds influence our health.

Since the cannabinoids will not leave the body properly when this combination is taken, uncommon side effects may present themselves. These include fatigue, dry mouth, changes in blood pressure, and digestive issues.

Potential Side Effects of CBD

There are several potential side effects of taking CBD. These are:

  • Dry mouth. Also known as ‘cotton mouth.’
  • Drowsiness.
  • Dizziness. This is maybe due to CBD  relaxing the walls of blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
  • Diarrhoea
  • Changes in your appetite
  • Nausea.

CBD User Guide

Drugs you should not take with CBD

There’s several drugs which you should not take with CBD. We have made a list below, however this doesn’t include all drugs that should not be taken with CBD. If you are on any form of medication please ensure you consult your GP before you take CBD.

  • Warfarin
  • Clobazam/Norclobazam
  • Etoposide/Teniposide
  • Oestrogen or Synthetic Oestrogen Birth Control
  • Sedatives

There are a wide variety of other substances that may interact with cannabidiol’s enzyme inhibition. Remember that not all of these interactions imply that CBD will cause trouble when co-administered with the medicines in question.

CBD Oil and Birth Control

Cannabidiol should not impact the use of many contraceptives, such as IUDs and condoms. When selecting an oral birth control pill to combine with CBD, progesterone-only preparations may be the best choice. Please speak with a medical professional to identify the best option for you.

Research shows that CBD is broken down by cytochrome P450 enzymes while functioning as a competitive inhibitor of the same liver enzymes. The cytochrome P450 enzyme system is responsible for breaking down over 60% percent of any drugs, including contraceptives.

When hormone-based contraceptives are taken with CBD, CBD can decrease how quickly the liver breaks down these oral contraceptives, which theoretically would increase the contraceptive hormone levels and increase the contraceptive’s effectiveness.

This enzyme-inhibiting action of CBD is suspected to increase breakthrough bleeding due to excess estrogen levels as a result of a slower breakdown. The role of marijuana or CBD on the effectiveness of oral contraceptives is unknown. Furthermore, marijuana is known to have adverse effects on fertility for both men and women. In women, it lowers the rate of ovulation which would lower pregnancy rates.

Conclusion

CBD has been known to interact with various hormones in several ways, such as the estrogen found in pills and the body. Each hormone reacts differently to CBD, and the final effect is very complex. The dosage of CBD also seems to affect the impact on various hormones. Overall, there is not enough research so far to produce simple answers. Instead, we only have a few functional pieces based on observation and data analysis, such as avoiding estrogen-based contraceptive pills.

Further research is needed to determine what level of CBD impacts estrogen. Currently, there is no guideline as to the safe levels of CBD for women on birth control. Before deciding to use CBD as a supplemental birth control method, consult with a doctor.