Leading Women's Health Expert Warns of Hidden Risks in New Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill

PHOENIX - Nov. 13, 2024 - PRLog -- In a newly published clinical article, renowned hormone health expert Angela DeRosa, DO, MBA, CPE, raises critical concerns about the recently FDA-approved over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill, warning that healthcare providers and patients need to fully understand its potentially serious hormonal consequences.

Dr. DeRosa, founder of the Hormonal Health Institute and a board-certified internist with over 25 years of experience in women's health, details how the progestin-only "mini-pill" can lead to significant hormonal imbalances that may adversely affect women's quality of life and increase their risk for chronic medical conditions.

"While increasing access to birth control is important, we must ensure women are fully informed about the medical consequences," states Dr. DeRosa. "The Opill creates a 100% estrogen deficiency while only replacing progesterone, essentially putting women into a menopausal hormonal state."

The article highlights several key findings:

• All birth control pills cause complete testosterone deficiency, which can lead to mood changes, weight gain, and increased risk of insulin resistance
• The Opill's progestin-only formula may cause symptoms including insomnia, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and increased cardiovascular risks
• There is a concerning lack of understanding among both providers and patients about how birth control pills affect the body's natural hormone production

Dr. DeRosa's research emphasizes that while birth control pills effectively prevent pregnancy, their broader health impacts are often overlooked. As the Medical Director for Belmar Pharma Solutions and Clinical Assistant Professor at Midwestern University, she advocates for better education and awareness around hormonal health.

The complete article, titled "Acceptable Consequences??? What Providers and Patients Need to Know Before Taking the 'Opill'," is available in the Journal of Sexual Medicine here.

About Dr. Angela DeRosa: Dr. Angela DeRosa is a board-certified internist specializing in women's health, founder of the Hormonal Health Institute, and president of DeRosa Medical and DRM Integrative Health. With over two decades of experience, she has treated more than 20,000 patients using advanced hormone therapy and optimization. Dr. DeRosa holds a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Midwestern University and an MBA from Amherst College.