To date, there are no adverse links between COVID-19 vaccines and hormonal birth control use. Some media outlets and online spaces have talked about the vaccine and reproductive health, but research does not support these claims.

Hundreds of millions of people have had COVID-19 vaccines in the last few years. This gives researchers a large sample size to observe. There are no current studies that show that vaccines affect or interfere with birth control.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people ages 5 years and older get vaccinated against COVID-19. It states that the vaccines are safe and effective with very few severe reactions.

COVID-19 vaccinations reduce the chance of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 infection.

There are three COVID-19 vaccines available for use in the United States. The CDC recommends that women under 50 years old use the two mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna.

The third vaccine, made by Johnson and Johnson, can increase the risk of blood clots. This risk is not related to birth control.

There is no scientific evidence that COVID-19 vaccines affect birth control. They may be newly developed, but millions of people have received COVID-19 vaccines. There have not been reports about negative birth control interactions.

Hormonal birth control includes:

  • pills
  • intrauterine devices
  • implants
  • shots
  • patches
  • vaginal rings

Media and online sources may discuss interactions between the vaccines and birth control without scientific evidence to back up the claims. There is concern in the medical community that this speculation will discourage people from using birth control.

One letter to the BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health journal advised doctors to talk with their patients about these claims and discuss birth control options.

It is safe to get a COVID-19 vaccine if you are on birth control. The CDC recommends that all eligible people receive the vaccine. That includes people who are taking birth control.

The CDC does not list any cautions for women taking birth control regarding the vaccine.

There is a very small chance the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine can cause a blood clot. In very rare cases, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the J&J vaccine is linked to the development of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which can cause blood clots.

According to CDC data, only about 8 out of every 1 million doses of the J&J vaccine given to adult women under 50 years old were linked to the development of TTS. The frequency was highest among women ages 30 to 39 years (10.6 out of every million) and lowest among women under 30 years old (4.6 out of every million).

The CDC also states that using birth control does not increase your risk of developing TTS.

Hormonal birth control can also cause blood clots. However, the ACOG does not recommend any specific actions for those who get the J&J shot who also take birth control, are pregnant, or have recently given birth.

The ACOG does recommend that you choose the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine over the J&J vaccine if possible.

Read more about blood clots and the COVID-19 vaccine.

There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility. This is despite what you may read on your social media feed or hear from those around you. The ACOG states that “claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to infertility are unfounded and have no scientific evidence backing them.”

You should get a vaccine if you are planning to become pregnant or are pregnant. Pregnancy can increase your risk for severe illness and possible death from COVID-19.

Read more on fertility and the COVID-19 vaccine.

There is no reason to delay getting the COVID-19 vaccine because of your period. Early data suggest there could be short-term changes to your period after the vaccine, but they do not linger.

Temporary changes may include:

  • getting your period sooner
  • having a period that lasts longer
  • experiencing a heavier flow during your period

A non-peer-reviewed 2021 British study (preprint) found that about half of 1,273 respondents experienced changes to the timing or flow of their period after a COVID-19 vaccination. The study observed that those taking hormonal birth control were more likely to have changes in the length and flow of their period.

Note that those surveyed opted into the study. They might have been more likely to give feedback if they had experienced changes to their periods than people who did not.

Here’s where you can find more information on your period and the COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC recommends that everyone ages 5 years and older get a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes those who take birth control.

There is no evidence that the vaccine affects birth control or creates fertility complications. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about vaccination or birth control methods.