Which birth control method should I use if I smoke?
Someone asked us:
is there a method of birth control that’s safer for someone who smokes
Really good question, glad you asked! You’ve probably heard this already but we’ll say it for anyone who hasn’t: habitually smoking cigarettes while on certain kinds of hormonal birth control is discouraged because it can put you at increased risk for blood clots. The higher risk methods while smoking are those that contain both progestin and estrogen – like the pill, patch and ring. Methods that don’t have estrogen, like the IUD, implant and shot are generally safer if you smoke. But definitely check in with your health care provider. They can give you the best info on what is and isn’t safe for you to use.
Also… no judgments, just if you’re interested: some Planned Parenthood health centers offer smoking cessation programs. Click here to find your local Planned Parenthood health center; if they offer smoking cessation it will be listed under “General Health Services.”
-Mary at Planned Parenthood