Nutrition, birth control pills and an intrauterine device

Not so long ago, doctors prescribed oral contraceptives while prescribing vitamins. It was believed that birth control pills increase the need for a number of nutrients, including vitamins C, B6 and folates (vitamin B).
“Today it is known that the amount of hormones contained in birth control pills can only have a minimal effect on nutrition,” says nutritionist Bonnie Worthington-Roberts. A woman who has been using birth control pills for many years may show signs of deficiency of vitamins C, B6 and B in her body, but this is very unlikely. ”
However, if you use an intrauterine device to prevent pregnancy, there is a risk of iron deficiency. This is because the use of an intrauterine device often leads to an increase in the volume of menstrual flow and iron is lost with blood. “Many women who prefer this type of contraception, for this reason, regularly use iron supplements,” she says.