Breast Cancer Risk Factors: Birth Control Pills and Other Hormonal Birth Control

Current or recent use of birth control pills (oral contraceptives) is linked to a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer [13,42-45].

Studies show that while women are taking birth control pills (and shortly after), their breast cancer risk is 20%-30% higher than for women who’ve never taken birth control pills [42,44-45].

However, this extra risk has a fairly small impact because the risk of breast cancer for most young women is low (and most women using birth control pills are young) [42,44-45]. So, even those who have a slightly higher risk still have a low risk of breast cancer.

Once women stop taking birth control pills, their risk of breast cancer begins to decrease [42,45-46]. After about 5 years, their risk of breast cancer is similar to risk among women who’ve never taken birth control pills [46].

For a summary of research studies on birth control pills and breast cancer, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section.

Learn about other factors linked to the risk of breast cancer.

Weighing the pros and cons of birth control pill use

Birth control pills have some risks including a small increased risk of breast cancer with current or recent use. However, in addition to preventing pregnancy, birth control pills decrease the risk of uterine and ovarian cancers [47-49].

Before making any decisions about birth control pills (or if you’re currently taking them and haven’t done so already), talk with your health care provider about the benefits and risks.

Lower-dose birth control pills

Overall, today’s lower-dose pills are linked to an increased breast cancer risk just like older, higher-dose forms of birth control pills [45].

Progestin-only pills (mini-pills)

Some lower-dose birth control pills contain progestin only, with no estrogen. They may be called mini-pills. Mini-pills often lower the number of periods a woman has during a year, and periods may become irregular.

The use of the progestin-only mini-pill norethisterone doesn’t appear to be linked to breast cancer [45].

Before using any type of birth control pills (or if you’re currently taking them and haven’t done so already), talk with your health care provider about their benefits and risks. 

Other hormonal contraceptives

Like birth control pills, some other contraceptives contain (or release) hormones.

Some contain progestin alone:

• Depo Provera (an injected contraceptive)
• Hormone-releasing IUDs (intrauterine devices)

Some contain both estrogen and progestin:

• Birth control patch
• Vaginal ring

Findings on these products and breast cancer risk are discussed below. However, data on these products, especially studies with long-term follow-up, are limited. These topics are under study.

Before using any type of birth control with hormones (or if you’re currently using one and haven’t done so already), talk with your health care provider about its benefits and risks.

Depo Provera

Findings on Depo Provera have shown no link to breast cancer risk overall [45,50-51].

However, a possible increase in risk has been found among current, long-term users compared to women who’ve never used Depo Provera [50].

Hormone-releasing IUDs

Some IUDs are made of copper and do not contain hormones. Other IUDs release hormones.

Some women choose a hormone-releasing IUD because it can make menstrual periods lighter and/or less frequent. These IUDs release hormones in the uterus, but the hormones don’t seem to travel to other parts of the body [54].

Most studies on hormone-releasing IUDs show no link to breast cancer risk [52-54]. However, some findings show women who use hormone-releasing IUDs have a small increased risk of breast cancer [55,642].

Since copper IUDs don’t release hormones, they aren’t thought to be related to the risk of breast cancer.

Birth control patch and vaginal ring

Use of a birth control patch or a vaginal ring doesn’t appear to be linked to breast cancer risk [45]. However, data are limited.

Learn about other factors linked to the risk of breast cancer.

SUSAN G. KOMEN®‘S BREAST SELF-AWARENESS MESSAGES

1. Know your risk Talk with both sides of your family to learn about your family health history. Talk with a health care provider about your risk of breast cancer. 2. Get screened Talk with a health care provider about which screening tests are right for you if you’re at higher risk. Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you’re at average risk.* Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 25, and every year starting at age 40.* * Per National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines 3. Know what is normal for you See a health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes: Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast Change in the size or shape of the breast Dimpling or puckering of the skin Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple Pulling in of the nipple or other parts of the breast Nipple discharge that starts suddenly New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away To see illustrations of these warning signs, please visit the Warning Signs of Breast Cancer page. 4. Make healthy lifestyle choices Maintain a healthy weight. Make exercise part of your routine. Limit alcohol intake. Limit menopausal hormone therapy (postmenopausal hormone use). Breastfeed if you can.

*Please note, the information provided within Komen Perspectives articles is only current as of the date of posting. Therefore, some information may be out of date.

Updated 12/17/24

This content is regularly reviewed by an expert panel including researchers, practicing clinicians and patient advocates.