Are you worried about the safety of the Covid-19 vaccine with birth control? You aren’t alone. The concern about blood clots has brought to light a concern about combining the Covid vaccine with birth control too. Especially since women who take hormonal birth control are often warned about blood clot risks.
Let’s talk about the safety of the Covid vaccine in general and when given to women who take hormonal birth control. There’s a lot of great info out there for you so you don’t have to stress about this question so much. It’s okay to have concerns, but let’s make sure you’re getting answers. Here’s how safe the Covid vaccine is with birth control.
How Safe Is The Covid-19 Vaccine?
The Covid vaccine has been studied on a large number of people with a variety of medical conditions. You can rest assured it’s safe. It has received emergency use authorization from the FDA in the US for brands Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen.
Originally there were some concerns with the J&J vaccine causing a very rare type of blood clot. 15 people reported getting this clot after getting the J&J shot. This concern has since been studied and the J&J shot has been deemed safe once again and is back in use.
It’s best to get whatever shot is available to you the soonest, rather than waiting for a certain brand. Availability is hard to predict with any brand so just get whatever is available in your area. The shot is approved for ages 12 and up with the Pfizer brand, and 18 and up for J&J and Moderna.
There are some side effects commonly reported after the Covid vaccine, including a sore arm, headaches, feeling tired. nausea, fever, and chills. If you experience any of these side effects you can take ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophin (Tylenol) to help alleviate the symptoms.
What About The Safety Of The Covid-19 Vaccine With Birth Control?
In short, it’s completely safe to get the vaccine while taking birth control. The risk of blood clots is extremely low. It’s also not going to affect the efficacy of your birth control either. The risks have been studied and the benefits have been determined to far outweigh any possible negative outcomes.
If you’re taking hormonal birth control and want to get the Covid-19 vaccine, you can do so knowing it’s very safe. Continue to do what you normally do and go ahead with your plans to get the vaccine. You’ll be okay. The side effects listed above are all you are most likely to experience.
Related: The Ultimate Guide To Birth Control Side Effects
Who Can I Talk To About Covid-19 Vaccine Safety While Taking Birth Control?
If you have safety concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine while taking birth control, or just safety concerns in general, you can talk to your doctor. You can also talk to the staff giving you your vaccine at the vaccine location in your area. Everyone involved wants to make sure you have the info you need so don’t hesitate to ask questions.
You can also look online at sites like the CDC website. They have plenty of information that is reliable and helpful. You don’t have to worry alone. The info and people to talk to are out there and just want to make sure you’re comfortable about your healthcare choices.
Final Thoughts
The Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective at preventing severe cases of Covid-19. You don’t need to stress about it. Remember to ask questions if you need more information. Your doctor or the staff at your vaccination site will have the info you need. Follow their advice over anything you see online. It’s their job to give you the best info out there.
Once you have the info you need, know you’re making the best decision for your health. The sooner you get the vaccine the sooner we can all go back to a more normal life after Covid. That’s the best thing we can all hope for. You can do this!
Sarah Nelson is a nurse with 15 years of experience working with a variety of patients. She has a Masters of Science in Nursing and has spent a large portion of her career working exclusively with women in an OB/GYN setting.
Nursing is a passion for Sarah but she also enjoys writing and sharing her expertise online with people who need helpful information. Treating patients well and helping them learn more about their own bodies is a key essential to a healthy lifestyle that Sarah truly believes in.