Can birth control cause thyroid nodules?
If you’re reading this, you may be a little bit worried about the potential risk of birth control causing thyroid nodules. Well, fret not my friend! I am here to demystify any misconceptions and answer all your questions.
What are Thyroid Nodules?
Let’s first understand what thyroid nodules really are. Simply put, they are lumps that form on your thyroid gland or in some cases the tissues surrounding it. Most people don’t even know that they have them since they can be asymptomatic (big word alert). But for others who might experience symptoms like difficulty swallowing or breathing – well, then it becomes a bit more apparent.
So now we need to figure out whether taking birth control could lead to these sneaky troublemakers showing up uninvited!
How does Birth Control Work?
Contrary to popular belief (ahem…..from parents), sex isn’t just something people do for fun. Sometimes we reproduce – like rabbits 😉 But in order not to add 100 babies into our lives, some folks decide that using birth control is a good idea.
There are many types available today – pills/patches/injections/rings – but their function is similar: They regulate hormones so that pregnancy doesn’t occur (hooray for science!).
On occasion though, synthetic hormones found in contraceptives can cause side effects such as bloating/depression/mood swings/headaches/hormonal imbalances which includes an increased chance of developing things like breast cancer and blood clots (EEK!).
Is There Evidence of Any Relationship Between Contraceptives and Thyroid Nodules?
Research tells us there is NO strong relationship between hormonal contraceptives and thyroid nodules formation (YAY!) BUT… there’s always a “but” …
Thyroid dysfunction has been associated with hormonal contraceptive use( high amount of estrogen/ progesterone-based drugs), including conditions such as hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease (something inherited from your third cousin who you barely see at Christmas).
In some studies (fingers hovering over the keyboard) there is weak evidence that taking contraceptives could cause changes in the size of pre-existing nodules but these results are not consistent across studies. Confusing eh?
Can Stress or Other Stimuli Cause Thyroid Nodules?
So now we know that birth control may have a weak link with thyroids but what about other factors that can contribute towards those pesky growths?
Well, our hormones play an essential role in regulating body functions so it makes sense to assume they could be controlling the levels of stress we experience too (Hello cortisol – you little devil).
Stress increases thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which could lead to auto-immune responses where antibodies end up attacking the gland itself.
Other environmental toxins like pesticides/household cleaners/drinking water/x-rays also contribute to increased risk for developing them too -who knew?!
The Verdict
While there’s no STRONG proof linking contraceptives and thyroid nodules formation, it is important always to weigh out possible risk/side effects when deciding whether contraception is right for you{{1}}.
No need for alarm bells just yet though! If you’re experiencing any symptoms related to your thyroid gland, consult a medical professional ASAP! They will assess whether painless neck lumps/nodules exist through palpating/examining along with various blood tests/TSH assessments to figure things out entirely!
Do note one more thing: Prevention is better than cure. Reducing exposure time/distance while using smartphones/computers/reliable sources offering fresh fruits/vegetables go a long way in keeping these sneaky nodes away so why not give it a try?
Stay healthy, my friends!
{{1}} When you talk to your healthcare professional about contraceptive options.