There are several different hormonal birth control products available on the market such as birth control pills (combination and progestin only), p-ring, patch, the shot, the implant, and the hormonal IUD. They all work differently and most of them will affect your natural hormonal cycle. 

Hormonal birth control methods contain a synthetic progesterone or a combination of a synthetic estrogen and progesterone. Most of them will suppress your own hormonal cycle including ovulation. Some of them will also affect the lining of the uterus preventing a fertilized egg to implants in combination with thickening of the cervical mucus, preventing sperm from entering the uterus. All this to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.

Possible side effects
The hormonal birth control methods are generally very effective and safe form of birth control. However, side effects are quite common. The most common side effects are, nausea, irregular periods, spotting, breast tenderness, headaches, mood swings, low libido, and weight gain. On the other hand, some women who have been prescribed hormonal birth control as a treatment for PMS/PMDD do feel better.

If you experience side effects from hormonal birth control methods, you might want to ask your health care provider if you can change to a non-hormonal type of birth control such as condom, pessary, or copper IUD.

Difficulty evaluating your hormonal phase
Your natural hormones and monthly cycle will most likely be affected by hormonal birth control methods. Therefore, evaluating your hormonal phase through our hormone test will not be that reliable. Instead we recommend you make an appointment with a hormone specialist for evaluation and treatment.