The Birth Control Pill: Friend or Foe?

The debate around birth control often centers on two opposing views: "Birth control was the best thing to happen to women" vs "Birth control is the worst thing to happen to women." But what if I told you that it can be both?

In this post, we’ll deconstruct this complex issue, exploring both the bright and dark side of hormonal birth control. By examining both sides, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of its impact on women and guide you to making an informed choice for your own life.

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The Bright Side:

The birth control pill was approved by the FDA in 1960, marking a revolutionary moment for women worldwide. Its availability had a profound impact on several key aspects:

1. Control over reproductive choices:

   
   

   The pill empowered women with unprecedented control over their reproductive health. For the first time, they could choose when and if to have children, greatly influencing family planning and personal autonomy.

   
   
   
   

2. Impact on women's rights:

   
   

   This newfound reproductive freedom was instrumental in the women's rights movement. It enabled women to pursue education and careers without the immediate pressure of motherhood, leading to significant shifts in gender roles and societal expectations.

   
   
   
   

3. Legislative and policy changes:

   
   

   The pill's approval sparked crucial conversations about reproductive rights, healthcare access, and women's health issues, resulting in significant changes to laws and policies regarding contraception and healthcare.

This was truly a pivotal moment in women's history—women finally had a voice in decisions about their own bodies.

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The Dark Side:

Here’s where things take a turn: what started as a positive development has now become a more complex issue. Instead of being prescribed solely for contraceptive purposes, hormonal birth control is increasingly being given to girls as young as 10 to manage painful, heavy periods, irregular cycles, and acne.

It’s important to clarify: despite what we’ve been led to believe, hormonal birth control doesn’t “fix” your hormones—it shuts them down. The bleeding you experience while on the pill isn’t a true menstrual period; it’s a withdrawal bleed.

Understanding these nuances empowers you to make informed choices about your health.

1. Hormonal birth control shuts down ovulation

   
   

   This is the mechanism by which it prevents pregnancy. The pill interrupts the communication between your brain and ovaries, stopping ovulation.

   Without ovulation, your body doesn't produce essential sex hormones like estradiol and progesterone. Instead, the pill substitutes these hormones with synthetic estrogen and progestin (which is NOT the same as progesterone).

   
   

   Progesterone (the real, beneficial hormone) and estradiol (the primary estrogen during our reproductive years) provide numerous health benefits, including support for bone density, heart health, sleep regulation and quality, brain health and cognitive function, as well as breast and uterine health, to name just a few.

   
   

   In a study titled Ovulation, A Sign of Health, the researchers say “Accordingly, normal ovulatory activity during reproductive years can be considered a sign of health, because it implies adequate endocrine and gonadal function.” And they go on to say, “The first sign of an underlying health problem a woman may experience is usually an abnormality in ovulation followed by irregular cycles or amenorrhea. Indeed, when pregnancy, lactation, or menopause are not the causes, persistent irregularities in the ovulatory cycle can be associated with lifestyle, stress, and endocrine, gynecological, autoimmune, nutritional, genetic, and iatrogenic disorders.

   
   
   
   

2. Depletes vital nutrients

   
   

   The pill also depletes vital nutrients such as B2, B6, B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, and zinc. (You can check out my post here for an in-depth explanation of each vitamin and their food sources.)

   
   

   Each of these nutrients is essential for various bodily functions. For example, magnesium is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It plays a crucial role in muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and energy production. Additionally, magnesium helps control inflammation, promotes strong bones, regulates the body’s stress response, and alleviates PMS symptoms.

   
   

   On the other hand, Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is responsible for producing neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which are essential for mood regulation and cognitive function. It also helps maintain a healthy immune system and is vital for breaking down proteins into amino acids, as well as for the formation of hemoglobin.

   
   

   And these are just two examples. There are many more nutrients that the pill can deplete (mentioned above), all of which play a critical role in keeping your body in balance.

   
   
   
   

3. Disrupts the gut microbiome

   
   

   The pill disrupts the gut microbiome, which is connected to every system in our bodies. This disruption can significantly affect our intestinal system, digestive system, nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system.

   
   

   Additionally, the pill can contribute to systemic inflammation, overburdening the liver, impacting digestion and elimination, and increasing susceptibility to certain cancers.

   
   

   Let’s take a moment to consider what this means for those who have been on the pill since their teenage years. The long-term effects on gut health can lead to a range of issues, from anxiety and hormonal imbalances to digestive problems and beyond. Recognizing these impacts is essential as we think about our health and explore options that genuinely support our well-being. It’s about understanding how our choices today can affect us for years to come.

   
   
   
   

4. Band-aid for deeper issues

   
   

   If you were put on the pill for heavy, irregular periods, PMS, acne, painful periods, or conditions like PCOS or Endometriosis, it may bring some relief—but that relief is temporary. The pill acts as a band-aid for what’s really going on. When you rip the band-aid off (or get off the pill), your issues can come back—with a vengeance. The only true solution is getting to the root of why these things are happening. Tackling them from the inside out is the only real way to find lasting relief.

   
   

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It's time to take control..

Time and time again, I hear from women who don’t feel like themselves while on the pill. I’ve been there too. It feels like a dark cloud hovering over you, never quite lifting. Since the pill strips away so many essential functions and aspects of health, it’s no surprise that some women experience frustrating post-pill symptoms like acne, heavy periods, irregular cycles, hair loss, and male-pattern hair growth. For those who initially took the pill to “fix” their cycle issues, these problems can often return—worse than ever.

However, this doesn’t HAVE to be the case. By preparing your body before coming off the pill and implementing essential dietary, lifestyle, and exercise changes, you can achieve a smoother transition. Understanding both the benefits and drawbacks of hormonal birth control allows you to make empowered choices that align with your health goals.

Are you ready to reclaim your health? If you were prescribed hormonal birth control for issues with your cycle and are looking for personalized support to transition off and learn to live in tune with your cycle, or need help tackling those frustrating post-pill symptoms, I've got you. Check out my monthly packages and take the first step toward feeling like the women you were meant to be.

RECLAIM YOUR HORMONAL HEALTH

Much love,

Kelsey 🤍