The pill is around 99% effective in preventing pregnancy (if taken correctly), it can reduce the length of periods, make them lighter, and helps combat painful periods as well as the dreaded psychological effects of PMS.
But in taking a hormonal contraceptive pill, we’re altering our monthly cycle – and our hormones. How does that affect cycling performance?
There’s very little research on the topic – but we know Dr Stacy Sims, who created Osmo Nutrition for women, knows her stuff – so we asked for her opinion.
Oral contraceptive pills invoke 6-8 times the estrogen and progesterone levels that a naturally cycling woman has. Thus all the negative effects of estrogen and progesterone are elevated.