Dipl. Oec. Troph. Christina Sittig-Gebhardt (Nutricionista)
Comprobado por expertos Dipl. Oec. Troph. Christina Sittig-Gebhardt (Nutricionista)
Table of Contents

The forms of lactose intolerance

A general distinction is made between two forms of lactose intolerance: primary and secondary lactose intolerance. The primary form affects around 70-90 percent of the world's adult population. Primary lactose intolerance is a natural process in which a person loses the ability to break down lactose from food in the course of their life. People who also tolerate lactose in adulthood have a gene mutation that maintains lactase production. The reasons for secondary lactose intolerance, on the other hand, are not so clear. In most cases, damage to the mucous membrane of the small intestine is the trigger. The damage can have various causes. Possible causes include intestinal diseases, infections, other food intolerances or medication. Once the cause has been identified, it can be treated and there is a chance that the person affected will be able to tolerate lactose again.

Study on the link between lactose intolerance and the contraceptive pill

The contraceptive pill is a medication that is taken by around seven million women in this country. Like any medication, the contraceptive pill also has side effects. Known side effects include headaches, weight gain, changes to the skin and depression. Another possible side effect is secondary lactose intolerance. A study was conducted on this at the SRH Distance Learning School. In the study on the connection between secondary lactose intolerance and taking the contraceptive pill, 344 women were questioned in an online survey. As part of this survey, 282 women stated that they became lactose intolerant after starting to take the pill.

Time of intake and physiology

The study also investigated when lactose intolerance occurred during the intake period. Lactose intolerance only occurred in a small number of women during the first year of intake. Between the second and fifth year, most of the women developed lactose intolerance.  However, no general statement can be made about the duration of use and the occurrence of lactose intolerance, as the physiology of each woman is very different.

High-dosage active ingredient

Thanks to the high dosage of 14.500 FCC, it is not necessary to calculate the exact lactose content to be able to enjoy food.

Break line

Thanks to the break line, the pills can easily be halved to provide a lower dose as required (approx 7.250 FCC).

Plant-based ingredients only

LactoJoy only contains the enzyme lactase and plant-based ingredients. No unnecessary additives are used.

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Stopping the contraceptive pill

First of all, it should be borne in mind that a new contraceptive method must be used when the contraceptive pill is discontinued. In addition, it is not certain that the lactose intolerance will disappear again if the pill is no longer taken. Not even if it is certain that the lactose intolerance only occurred as a result of the contraceptive pill. The after-effects can occur for several years after stopping the pill. In the study mentioned above, women became lactose intolerant even after stopping the pill.

Not a fad

Food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, are often said to be merely fashionable and that those affected do not really suffer from an intolerance. The reason for this is that there are numerous people who claim to suffer from an intolerance even though they have no corresponding diagnosis. However, the study was able to prove that lactose intolerance caused by the contraceptive pill is not a fashionable condition. Around 80 percent of those surveyed stated that their lactose intolerance had been diagnosed by a doctor.

Conclusion of the study on lactose intolerance

The study provides evidence of a possible link between the contraceptive pill and lactose intolerance. Of course, it cannot be said on the basis of this one study that there is a definitive link. Further medical studies must be carried out before lactose intolerance can be listed as a possible side effect of the contraceptive pill in the package leaflet. Further studies must be carried out in any case, as the contraceptive pill is a medicinal product that entails certain health risks, not all of which have yet been sufficiently researched. In order for women to be fully informed about their contraceptive methods, studies are needed that build on this.

Fuentes

  • Dinger, J. Kardiovaskuläres Risiko hormoneller Kontrazeptiva – ein Update. Gynäkologe 2015, Online First. DOI 10.1007/s00129-015-3739-3
  • https://www.mobile-university.de/newsdetail/news/studie-macht-die-antibabypille-laktoseintolerant/
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