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Birth control not linked to unhealthy insulin levels

Category: Diabetes

In recent years, the use of birth control has been connected to elevated insulin test results, prompting fears that the medications may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, a team of researchers from the University of Texas has found that this may not necessarily be the case.

After surveying more than 700 women taking various forms of contraception medications, the investigators found that there was little association between the use of birth control and abnormal insulin or blood sugar levels.

Researchers did notice a slight association between depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, commonly known as the birth control shot, and elevated blood sugar levels. However, they said that this was so slight that it should not be a concern.

The findings are in direct contradiction of earlier investigations into the metabolic effects of birth control. The researchers said that this is because those studies were much more limited in scope and did not provide a full, accurate picture of the situation.

"Previous studies were limited in scope and offered conflicting results, which led physicians to question whether hormonal contraception could lead to diabetes," said lead author Dr. Abbey Berenson.