Both anti-conception pills and anabolic drugs are steroidal hormones, though with lots of difference. Anti-conception pills are female hormones used to prevent ovulation, whereas, anabolic steroids are closer to male hormones.
Both anti-conception pills and anabolic steroids are used by the women of young and childbearing age. Therefore, it is not infrequent for some young women to use both these drugs together.
Young women use anti-conception drugs to prevent unwanted pregnancies. On the other hand, anabolic steroids are used for enhancing sports performance, strengthening muscles, and burning body fat.
Anabolic steroids must be used with caution by females, as they have an androgenic effect. It means that they may reduce fertility, and lead to the development of masculinity. It means the growth of clitoris, changes in voice, overgrowth of body hairs, and so on.
All steroids (birth control pills and anabolic) also affect the functioning of the brain. The young brain is especially sensitive to the effects of hormonal pills due to higher neuroplasticity (flexibility of the mind). Thus anabolic steroids may lead to an increase in aggressive behavior, and birth control pill may have a more calming effect. The final outcome of these steroids, when taken together, will be unpredictable.
Birth control pill may limit the effect of muscle-training
There are some studies that indicate that birth control pills have an adverse impact on physical training. In one of the studies, women who took birth control pills had much worse results from physical exercise when compared to those who did not. In the study, gains in physical strength were 40% less in those on birth control pills. Thus it seems that using oral contraceptives is not a good idea when actively doing physical training.
There could be many reasons why birth control pills negatively affect female performance. Firstly, it could be due to the direct effect of female hormones. Female hormones block the receptors used by anabolic hormones thus reducing physical performance. Secondly, the high level of female steroids (birth control pills) suppress the natural production of anabolic hormones. Finally, contraceptives also increase the levels of the stress hormone called cortisol, which promotes muscles breakdown.
Is it safe to use oral contraceptives with anabolic steroids?
In short, the answer is, No. These hormones will not mix well with each other due to their quite opposing physiological effects. When taken together they will strongly suppress the natural production of other steroidal hormones. Oral contraception pills will also reduce the effectiveness of anabolic steroids.
Further, when taken together they may result in higher water retention, increased blood pressure, higher risk of heart and vascular diseases. Together they may also increase the burden on the liver, kidneys. Similarly, they may have a negative influence on psychological health.
In conclusion, if you are planning to use buy anabolic steroids for improving physical performance or improving your shape, better not to mix them with birth control pills. It would be a better idea to consider non-hormonal methods of contraception. However, once you discontinue using anabolic steroids, it is safe to use birth control pills.