In order to understand if birth control pills can facilitate insomnia and lead to sleep deprivation we look at the birth control pills’ side effects. The most common of them are:
- Throwing up or having the feeling constantly
- Increased sensitivity of the eyes and/or breasts
- Bloating
- Headaches
- Mood swings (in some leading to depression)
Actually you immediately see that the 1st, 3rd and 4th would clearly create a feeling of discomfort, which leads to increased anxiety, which leads you far away from the relaxed state you need to sleep.
Moreover, keep in mind all the artificial hormonal changes happening inside and add to that the consequences of mood swings, i.e. issues created or negative discussions with friends and family, further increasing stress levels and you end up with:
- Discomfort on multiple levels
- Increased stress
- Internal hormonal not-natural changes
I think it is pretty safe to conclude that birth control pills can indeed cause insomnia / sleeplessness and over time lead to sleep deprivation, depression, sleep disorders and other negative consequences.
Hi,
I am 50 years old and for many months now – close to a year. I wake up in the middle of the night every night and cannot fall back asleep – I am wide awake. I used to take Benadryl when I would wake up but that does not work and I have had to turn to anxiety pills to fall back asleep. The ambien does not even work. I have tried all natural sleeping techniques, hygiene, ideas, every single thing you can think of. Melatonin, chamomile, magnesium, valerian, no electronics at night, exercise in the morning, exercise 3 hours before my bedtime, etc. I read and it helps me fall asleep but I only stay asleep for perhaps 3-4 hours then need to take an anti-anxiety for the remainder of the night and it only lasts about 3 hours. I really need some help because I do not want to continue on the anti anxiety pills. I would like to be able to sleep an entire night – perhaps 6 hours straight. If feel that it is effecting my health and life. If I do not take the anti anxiety pills – I only then sleep for a few hours. Do you think it is my hormones and if so would birth control help? Will I need to be on the anti-anxiety for the rest of my life?