In recent years, women have been turning away from birth control, specifically hormonal birth control. This is due to the numerous side effects of the “the pill”.
Birth control was created in the 1960’s, allowing women to take control of their bodies and choose when they wanted to start a family. This has become a liberating tool for women across recent generations. The invention of birth control has allowed more women to join the workforce and choose if and when they want to become mothers. However, given the limited existence of birth control, we are now learning about some of the dangers hormonal birth control can have on our bodies.
Anxiety, depression, brain fog, hair loss, weight gain and unexplainable stomach aches – just to name a few symptoms of hormonal birth control. This makes sense when you really dive into the science; hormonal birth control impacts, well, your hormones. This leads to imbalances and issues with regulated menstrual cycles.
The standard “pill” contains synthetic hormones, progesterone and estrogen, which prevents you from ovulating and protects against pregnancy. This throws off your body’s natural cycle and can impact your hormone levels. If you decide to come off birth control, specifically the pill, you likely will start to notice changes in your body.
I’m by no means an expert in women’s health, but I am a woman who has experienced her own health journey with quitting hormonal birth control. I also want to note that there should be no shame in taking birth control. It’s important to keep this in mind and remember to make decisions that make sense to your own journey.
That all being said, if you are considering stepping away from birth control, even temporarily, I want to provide you with a few resources that helped me.
Beyond the Pill by Jolene Brighten
The book “Beyond the Pill” by Jolene Brighten, ND, is a great starting point if you are considering stopping birth control. The book covers the science behind birth control, common experiences women have and an actionable plan to balancing your hormones. I will note that Dr. Brighten recommends a lot of diet changes and supplements, I think this is helpful to get an idea of what can help you in balancing your hormones but you should take your own lifestyle and diet into consideration before making any massive changes. Start small and do your research.
Article: Birth Control Side Effects Article
When starting my research on birth control side effects and the science behind them, I came across this article through a Google search. It discusses the side effects, risks associated with birth control and alternative options. This article is medically reviewed by Holly Ernst, PA-C — written by Ana Gotter for Healthline.
Link to article: Birth Control Side Effects
Talking to a Naturopathic Doctor
As I was navigating my hormones coming off the pill, I started to work with a naturopathic doctor. You can also choose to work with a medical doctor if you have a good relationship with an existing practitioner. For me, I always felt rushed and overlooked when I went to a primary care doctor. Therefore, I wanted to try something different in hopes to actually be heard rather than offered another bandaid. I was able to tell the ND my whole background, what led me to quitting the pill and discuss a plan that worked for my lifestyle.
If you are local to Grand Rapids, I recommend Dr. Jenny, ND. Dr. Jenny collaborated with us on the Sex Education for the Girls series in 2020 and 2021. You can find these on our YouTube channel – Periods & Your Cycle and Hormones and Birth Control.
Requesting a Hormone Panel from your Doctor
Another step you can take is to request a hormone panel blood test from your doctor, or naturopathic doctor if you choose to go that route. A hormone panel will help indicate any imbalances you may have and allow you to better understand what might be causing it. Hormone blood tests can look at several key female hormones including, but not limited to, estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone/DHEA and thyroid hormones.
Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/hormone-blood-test-for-women-89722
Other Resources:
Alternative birth control options without hormones
State Change by Robin Berzin, MD (book)
Your Brain on Birth Control by Sarah Hill (book)
Choosing to come off of birth control is not a quick fix, it takes time for your body to regulate. There will likely be moments where you feel like you’re not getting any answers, it takes time. No matter what you decide to do, quit entirely or continue with birth control, there is no shame in your decision. Do what feels right to your body and lifestyle. I hope a few of these resources are helpful, or at least informative. Reminder to consult your doctor before making any drastic changes.