{"id":67260,"date":"2019-11-09T09:38:19","date_gmt":"2019-11-09T14:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runningmagazine.ca\/?p=67260"},"modified":"2019-11-09T09:38:19","modified_gmt":"2019-11-09T14:38:19","slug":"the-birth-control-pill-what-runners-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runningmagazine.ca\/health-nutrition\/the-birth-control-pill-what-runners-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"The birth control pill: what runners need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Birth control is a complicated topic for many women, runner or not. If choosing a hormonal birth control pill, there’s a myriad of options, and among those options there’s a myriad of ways your body might react to the new hormones you’re putting in your body.<\/p>\n

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RELATED: The best interview Des Linden has ever done<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

When it comes to runners choosing a hormonal birth control method (or any athlete for that matter), there’s a lot to consider. Runners seek medical attention and crowdsource with running friends as to what they’re on and how it has worked for them\u2013but unfortunately, you won’t know how your body does on the Pill until you try it.<\/p>\n

Phoebe Wright<\/strong> is a five-time NCAA champion and former professional runner who’s also a pharmacist.\u00a0 She tweeted on the topic on Monday, outlining a lot of the pitfalls that athletes can run into.<\/p>\n

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*Potential* pros of oral birth control:
1. Consistent hormones
2. Less menstrual irregularities
3. Control over when you have your period
4. Less iron (blood) loss<\/p>\n

*Potential* cons:
1. Weight gain
2. Increased fat mass
3. Mood swings
4. It's hard to find the right one<\/p>\n

— Phoebe Wright (@Phe800) November 4, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n