Post-birth control recovery essentials
If you recently stopped taking hormonal birth control and are now experiencing acne, mood swings, or digestive issues, and your period seems to come and go with no respect for any sort of schedule whatsoever — possibly for the first time ever — you’re not alone. Not enough practitioners are aware of how to help us through post birth control recovery.
The transition off hormonal birth control isn’t always smooth. In fact, it can be downright miserable for some women. I know many women that are afraid to go off birth control for fear of these all to common symptoms.
But it doesn’t need to be this way!
And no, the solution isn’t to run to the pharmacy and refill your old prescription. (Well, at least not the best solution.)
Instead, we want to provide your body with everything it needs to recover quickly and smoothly, and support your body’s own production of hormones again.
How does hormonal birth control work?
The hormones in the pill work to stop ovulation. This means there’s no egg for sperm to fertilize, so pregnancy can’t occur.
Hormonal birth control suppresses your body’s own production of sex hormones, then provides your body with a steady stream of synthetic hormones. This is why it’s so commonly prescribed to women with hormonal imbalances — it creates a synthetic balance.
After you stop the pill, your body is able to produce its own hormones at normal levels again. But again, this transition isn’t always smooth.
Hormonal birth control can impact your body beyond hormones as well.
The negative side effects of hormonal birth control
If you take or have taken hormonal birth control, chances are that you weren’t properly warned about any side effects beyond blood clotting.
Me neither. I took hormonal birth control for over 15 years and was never told about ANY of these possible side effects.
But the science makes it clear that hormonal birth control impacts our bodies beyond fertility!
Related: 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going on Birth Control
Mood and mental health
But a study from the University of Copenhagen confirmed the link between hormonal birth control and depression. This study included 1 million women over the course of 13 years. The study found that women were 23-34% more likely to be diagnosed with depression. (source)
This is not surprising given the strong connection between our hormones and mood.
The gut microbiome
The synthetic estrogen in hormonal birth control has been shown to negatively impact gut flora (source).
Not only can changes in the gut microbiome impact digestive health and trigger symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, gas, and bloating, but it can have far-reaching consequences as well like suppressed immune function and inflammation.
We know that the pill also increases the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease — two large studies of American women linked oral contraceptive use with Crohn’s (source). Researchers believe this increased risk stems from impaired gut flora and increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut).
Liver health
Estrogens and oral contraceptives are both associated with several liver-related complications.
Unfortunately, a compromised liver that can’t properly perform its over 500 vital functions (yes, 500!) is going to have a negative impact on hormonal health — in addition to detoxing toxins and wastes, the liver detoxes excess and used hormones as well, and so is key for hormonal balance,
Nutrient deficiencies
Studies comparing the nutrient levels of women taking hormonal birth control to those who do not have found that the pill significantly depletes a number of key nutrients:
- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, folic acid
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Magnesium
- Selenium
- Zinc
Even the World Health Organization states that clinicians should be supplementing vitamins and minerals in women on hormonal birth control! (source)
“Post Birth Control Syndrome”
Yes, this is a very real thing! And thank goodness it’s getting more and more attention, even in the medical community. However many are still denying it.
Because unfortunately, Post Birth Control Syndrome affects many women (I myself experienced it). Not only are their bodies coping with the side effects of hormonal birth control, but they’re also now in the process of creating their own hormones at normal levels again.
Symptoms typically show up between 3 and 6 months after stopping hormonal birth control, and can look like:
- Amenorrhea (loss of menstruation)
- Heavy, painful periods
- Hypothyroidism
- Acne
- Migraines
- Headaches
- Hair loss
- Depression and anxiety
- Blood sugar imbalances
- Gas and bloating
- Changes in bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation)
- Gut dysbiosis
- Inflammation
- Unintended weight gain or weight loss
But as mentioned earlier, it doesn’t need to be this way!
Post-birth control recovery essentials
Whether you’re struggling with Post Birth Control Syndrome or looking to support your body while still on hormonal birth control, these essentials will take you very far.
Replenish nutrients
Eating a nutrient-dense, real food diet is the best and surest way to provide your body with a wide variety of nutrients. However, supplementation can help accelerate healing and fill in gaps, and is often necessary when transitioning off hormonal birth control.
Again, studies have found that hormonal birth control depletes a number of key nutrients:
- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, folic acid
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Magnesium
- Selenium
- Zinc
I, however, am not a fan of multi-vitamins because I don’t think they are customized enough to you as an individual. They are often very poor quality and contain poorly absorbed forms of nutrients, they may contain things for you that do more harm than good, and they may contain too much of one nutrient or not enough of another.
Instead work with someone that will be able to run a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) test with you to help determine exactly what nutrients you need. We run one of these tests with all our clients.
Consider copper toxicity
Speaking of HTMA testing, another good reason to work with someone even after going off birth control is assessing copper toxicity.
Many will have you believe that copper toxicity is not a very common issue but in my experience it is much more common and can lead to numerous symptoms and health problems. See a full list of symptoms here.
View this post on InstagramPost 7 in the heavy metal series so if you missed any take a look back.
.. Copper is actually a beneficial nutrient but only in the right amount. It can actually become toxic when we accumulate it. Many only know of Wilson’s disease which is a genetic disorder where excess copper builds up in the body (this is rare). But what is much more common is copper toxicity by which we build up a stored bio-unavailable copper in the body which can often get stored in the liver and brain. Many things can lead to hidden copper toxicity but one factor is birth control.
.. Copper IUDs may not always bring negative side effects but there can be an increased copper release into the body slowly over time. Eventually experiencing things like brain fog, fatigue, or a racing mind. Side effects may begin 2-6 months after insertion or for others it may take years to decades before noticing the impact of the copper.
.. The copper problem has increased since the birth control was introduced. I see it all the time in my female clients. You see anything that raises estrogen (like the pill, patch, or ring) increases copper retention. This can contribute to direct psychological effects of copper like depression and anxiety. The estrogenic effect of birth control, combined with the fact that the synthetic progesterone does not have a true progesterone effect, means that minerals like magnesium, zinc, and B6 get depleted while copper can rise and lead to symptoms.
.. Other symptoms can include hypothyroidism, nausea, panic attacks, hair loss, concentration problems, irritability, negative thoughts, OCD, anemia, insomnia, increased PMS, constipation, mood swings, candida/yeast infections, joint pains, ADD/ADHD, headaches, infertility, reduced metabolism, etc.
.. My goal here to is to help women understand the impact of birth control on your mineral balances and the risk to developing copper toxicity so you can take action as needed and stay informed.
. . . . . #birthcontrol #womenshealth #periodproblems #pms #heavymetals #anxiety #depression #fatigued #tiredallthetime #themoreyouknow #stayinformed
“The copper problem has significantly worsened in the years since the birth control pill was introduced. Since that time, more and more females have become copper toxic (and we see this with the evidence provided through HTMA data).
“The birth control pill affects copper by way of estrogen. Anything that raises estrogen (as birth control often does) increases copper retention.”
“The estrogenic effect of the oral contraceptive pill, combined with the fact that the synthetic progesterone does not have a true progesterone effect, means that minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and B6 diminish while copper rises.”
Read more at www.coppertoxic.com
Support your natural hormone production
Hormonal health can get complex, but it’s best to always start with the foundations:
- Minimize stress and include stress-reduction in your daily routine
- Work to keep blood sugar levels balanced with each meal and snack
- Boost your fiber intake to assist with hormone detoxification
- Limit caffeine intake (try my Homemade Herbal Coffee recipe)
- Exercise moderately
Restoring gut health
Since hormonal birth control has a particular impact on the gut microbiome, probiotic-rich foods and making sure your diet is filled with lots of prebiotic fiber is a great place to start.
Work with a qualified functional practitioner that will also use comprehensive stool testing for deeper gut healing. After 15+ years on birth control I found three parasites, a worm, and a lot of imbalanced bacteria on my GI MAP stool test. Things that a probiotic alone won’t address. Remember addressing your digestive health is way more than just taking a probiotic.
Related: Common Causes of Stomach Bloating + 5 First Steps to Beat the Bloat
Support your liver
Since the liver detoxes excess and used hormones, it’s absolutely essential for healthy, balanced hormones.
Studies have found that cruciferous vegetables and dark leafy greens contain specific compounds that support hormone detoxification in the liver. Look to include 1-2 servings in your diet each day.
You can also keep your liver healthy with these 5 support tools.
Are you struggling with Post Birth Control Syndrome?
Ready to get a clear picture of your hormones with functional diagnostic testing so we can create a tailored plan to restore balance?
You can learn more about working with the Organic Dietitian team here.
Now let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below!
Do you currently take hormonal birth control?
Have you in the past?
Did this post help shine light on anything in particular?
Which steps will you start putting into place to support balance during or after birth control?
Any questions?
Please let us know we can continue supporting you in your health journey!
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Original source: https://theorganicdietitian.com/post-birth-control-recovery/
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