Side Effects of the Birth Control Pill
This is for all you women out there who are on the pill or who want to understand the pill more. I have been so curious about the birth control pill since I’ve heard many of my clients, friends, family, and acquaintances are on it to help outside issues regarding their cycle (ex: regulate cycle, acne, cramps, etc.). Most doctors refer to the pill as a “solve all” for any issues women are having. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t solve all your issues, and, if anything, it will cause more. Let’s talk about the side effects of the birth control pill.
What You Don’t Know about the Pill
To give you some perspective, 60% of women taking the pill take it for outside reasons! Some of the most common are:
- 31% menstrual cramps or pain
- 28% irregular, sporadic periods; period problems
- 14% Acne, skin conditions
- 4% Endometriosis
- 11% Unspecified hormonal symptoms1
What if I told you that those symptoms you are attacking with the pill actually cause your hormones to flatline? That it cuts off your brain-to-ovaries communication. Would you take a second look at the pill and research it a little more? Good news! I’m here to help guide you through some things that you should know regarding the pill that I have learned through my own research from the leading expert in women’s medicine in this field, via Dr. Jolene Brighten’s book Beyond the Pill.
Side Effects of the Birth Control Pill and Hormonal Contraception
First, I want to list out just SOME of the symptoms the pill can cause:
- Hormonal confusion: Missing periods, light or heavy periods, short cycles, infertility, headaches
- Digestive problems: leaky gut, gut dysbiosis, inflammatory bowel disease
- Skin issues: Hair Loss, dry skin
- Energy reduction: Fatigue, adrenal, and thyroid dysfunction
- Mood disruption: Depression, anxiety
- Vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant depletion, such as folate, B12, and magnesium1
If this list describes effects that you are experiencing from the pill, do not be scared! This is meant to inform you and let you know what you are getting with the pill.
Please be aware of the fact that the pill will not fix your period! Even if you went on it and are experiencing a regular cycle, it is not a real period you are having! YIKES! You are putting a band aid on a deeper issue that your body is trying to show you. Your endocrine system is an amazing tool that can show you what your body is in need of. The pill does nothing to heal a broken down endocrine system. Don’t suppress your body’s voice with something that is has such potential to make it worse.
The good news is, if you want to heal your endocrine system and get off the pill, you can! Talk to a doctor who is educated on the topic and willing to help you get off the pill in a healthy way. If your doctor is not willing to or does not know how, do your research and find one in your area. I would also highly recommend the book Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten, as she breaks things down even more in a simple way.
1Dr. Jolene Brighten, Beyond the Pill, San Francisco, California: 2019.