Do High Levels of Estrogen Impact Lupus Patients?
Old studies have found that birth control and lupus do not mix. New studies are debunking this
In the past, birth control research has found that birth control pills and lupus do not mix. Recent studies seem to be debunking that old study, suggesting that low-dose estrogen birth control pills are likely appropriate and hazard-free for women with mild types of lupus and who have a low risk of thrombosis.
The jury is still out on whether or not taking oral birth control can increase the odds of being diagnosed with lupus. A study in 2009 showed that on 1.7 million women from 18-45. Out of the 1.7 million, researchers found a small subcategory of women who all had a genetic predisposition to lupus. When these women were taking a birth control that contains both synthetic estrogen and a progestin, they may be more vulnerable to the disease. The general risk is still very small, but if a woman has a long history of familial or personal lupus, they may want to consider an alternative option to birth control.