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High Blood Pressure and Birth Control Pills
High blood pressure is a problem for some women who take the oral contraceptive birth control pill. A woman who already has high blood pressure may not be allowed to start on the birth control pill and other women develop high BP after they have taken the pill for months or years.
Blood pressure can go up in women who are taking birth control pills.

Most women in their reproductive age group of 15 to 45 years have a normal blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg. The female sex hormones namely estrogen and progesterone have distinct protective effects on women. These are related to protection from heart diseases and from some cancers. So, when women attain menopause, the protective effects of the female hormones dwindles away exposing them to a variety of health risks.

Birth control pills for women
Birth control pills have saved millions of women all over the globe from unwanted pregnancies. These pills are hormone based and several studies have shown safety and efficacy of these pills. Their success has reached a stage that they are considered to be amongst the most commonly used contraceptive method adopted by women all over the world.

Are high blood pressure and birth control pills related?
Birth control pills or oral contraceptives are made from synthetically produced estrogen and progesterone. Some contraceptive pills contain progesterone only. Pills with both estrogen and progesterone combined are likely to cause an increase in the blood pressure – but only in some women. Other women take contraceptive pills for years and have no problems with them.

This blood pressure effect thought to be due mostly to the estrogen component of the combined pill although a few studies conducted by the National Institute of Health have shown that progesterone birth control pills are likely to cause a small increase in diastolic pressure. The increase though small has been considered significant in that it increases the risk of developing strokes, embolism and heart attacks in women. Progesterone only contraceptive pills are sometimes called the "mini-pill".

The risk of hypertension in women taking oral contraceptives depends on the following factors

• Age at which oral contraceptives are started: In women above the age of 35 years, the risk of pill induced hypertension is higher. Hence, such women need to check their pressure before starting therapy and monitor it regularly till pill use is discontinued.

• Past history: In women already having blood pressure related problems, the risk is again high and hence a thorough medical examination is very important before the start of therapy.

• History of smoking: Women who smoke have a positive risk factor that can induce hypertension.

Let’s see how women taking birth control pills can tackle the situation in the presence of the above risk factors:

• For women over the age of 35 years, the doors are not closed. They must get themselves thoroughly examined for present and past medical history and family history to assess if any other additional risks are present. If the blood pressure exam is normal then the pill can be begun. Regular follow up with your doctor is a must so that any increase in BP can be picked up as soon as possible.

• In women who already have high blood pressure before the age of 35 years it’s probably better not to use the contraceptive pill. Other options for birth control would be a better choice in such cases.

• Women who smoke: Smoking causes damage to the walls of the blood vessels and narrows their lumen and thus increases the blood pressure. Birth control pills can have a similar effect by causing fluid retention and thereby will augment the problem. The best thing to do is quit smoking.

For all women taking pills for birth control, it is essential that they have a regular follow up with their doctor for a complete physical exam to look for any changes in blood pressure and other systems induced by the long term use of contraceptives.