Birth Control Side Effects? Here's Your Expert Guide
"I’m screwed if I stay on it and damned if I don’t," said my 34-year-old patient Ashley during her initial visit. She had been dealing with birth control side effects for years but was now more fearful of the side effects that came with coming off of it.
Despite numerous side effects during her 13 years (yup, 13!) on the pill, other problems occurred once she went off the pill including acne that, as she put it, "confined me to Netflix and chardonnay solo on Saturday night." She also hadn’t had her period since going off the pill, for nearly four months, but once she did—her flow was heavy, and the cramping was out of control. Unfortunately, Ashley’s former physician wasn’t much help when it came to these programs. She felt like he had reprimanded her for going off the pill and, baffled with her post-pill symptoms, put her back on to "regulate her period."
Let's get to the bottom of birth control side effects and hormonal issues.
When Ashley came into my office, I had to tell her that the pill wouldn't fix her period or her hormones. I explained that "the hormones stop your brain and ovaries from talking, and that is a big reason why coming off the pill can be so hard." Birth control and post-birth control syndrome each have their own set of symptoms, but getting off the pill and working with your body to restore hormone balance is the answer to both.
Post-birth control syndrome (PBCS) was a new term for Ashley, but despite her frustration about past experiences, she felt confident working with me and determined to ditch the pill and take back her body once and for all. As a doctor who helps women heal from post-birth control syndrome and reclaim their hormones, I’ve treated many women like Ashley struggling with the effects of being on the pill and going off the pill and other hormonal contraceptives.
Here's how the birth control pill really works.
When you really start to investigate the ins and outs of hormonal contraceptives, the side effects of taking them become a lot less surprising. Hormonal contraceptives work in three ways: They stop ovulation, thin the lining of your uterus, and alter your cervical mucus secretions. With all that interference, you can certainly expect some side effects when you're on them—and when you go off.
When Ashley’s first doctor prescribed the pill many years ago, he had assured her that staying on the pill long-term would be perfectly fine. When she was ready to have a baby, she’d be able to transition off the pill without any hiccups in her fertility or her period. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Ashley experienced a bunch of negative consequences while on the pill and even more when she tried to stop taking it many years later. In my practice, I see a lot of women who are experiencing side effects they were never warned about.
Navigation
Main Navigation
Category Navigation
MINDFULNESS
Back
ALL MINDFULNESS
MEDITATION
SPIRITUALITY
PERSONAL GROWTH
FOOD
Back
ALL FOOD
RECIPES
FUNCTIONAL FOOD
FOOD TRENDS
MOVEMENT
Back
ALL MOVEMENT
OUTDOORS
MOTIVATION
ROUTINES
RECOVERY
#YOGA
HEALTH
Back
ALL HEALTH
INTEGRATIVE HEALTH
MENTAL HEALTH
WOMEN'S HEALTH
HEALTHY WEIGHT
RELATIONSHIPS
Back
ALL RELATIONSHIPS
FRIENDSHIPS
LOVE
SEX
PARENTING
LIFESTYLE
Back
ALL LIFESTYLE
HOME
BEAUTY
TRAVEL
WELLNESS TRENDS
PLANET
Back
ALL PLANET
CHANGE-MAKERS
OFF-THE-GRID
CLIMATE CHANGE
NATURE
Log in
WOMEN'S HEALTH
Birth Control Side Effects? Here's Your Expert Guide
Jolene Brighten, N.D.
Jolene Brighten, N.D.
Photo: Marija Savic
March 19, 2018 — 9:35 AM
Share on:
"I’m screwed if I stay on it and damned if I don’t," said my 34-year-old patient Ashley during her initial visit. She had been dealing with birth control side effects for years but was now more fearful of the side effects that came with coming off of it.
Despite numerous side effects during her 13 years (yup, 13!) on the pill, other problems occurred once she went off the pill including acne that, as she put it, "confined me to Netflix and chardonnay solo on Saturday night." She also hadn’t had her period since going off the pill, for nearly four months, but once she did—her flow was heavy, and the cramping was out of control. Unfortunately, Ashley’s former physician wasn’t much help when it came to these programs. She felt like he had reprimanded her for going off the pill and, baffled with her post-pill symptoms, put her back on to "regulate her period."
Let's get to the bottom of birth control side effects and hormonal issues.
When Ashley came into my office, I had to tell her that the pill wouldn't fix her period or her hormones. I explained that "the hormones stop your brain and ovaries from talking, and that is a big reason why coming off the pill can be so hard." Birth control and post-birth control syndrome each have their own set of symptoms, but getting off the pill and working with your body to restore hormone balance is the answer to both.
Post-birth control syndrome (PBCS) was a new term for Ashley, but despite her frustration about past experiences, she felt confident working with me and determined to ditch the pill and take back her body once and for all. As a doctor who helps women heal from post-birth control syndrome and reclaim their hormones, I’ve treated many women like Ashley struggling with the effects of being on the pill and going off the pill and other hormonal contraceptives.
Here's how the birth control pill really works.
When you really start to investigate the ins and outs of hormonal contraceptives, the side effects of taking them become a lot less surprising. Hormonal contraceptives work in three ways: They stop ovulation, thin the lining of your uterus, and alter your cervical mucus secretions. With all that interference, you can certainly expect some side effects when you're on them—and when you go off.
When Ashley’s first doctor prescribed the pill many years ago, he had assured her that staying on the pill long-term would be perfectly fine. When she was ready to have a baby, she’d be able to transition off the pill without any hiccups in her fertility or her period. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Ashley experienced a bunch of negative consequences while on the pill and even more when she tried to stop taking it many years later. In my practice, I see a lot of women who are experiencing side effects they were never warned about.
Article continues below
These are the birth control side effects you might be experiencing.
This can feel overwhelming, and if you are currently on birth control, don't panic. But do take note of these 11 common hormonal birth control side effects that could be majorly affecting your quality of life:
- Birth control and thyroid issues.
The pill can increase thyroid-binding globulin, binding your free thyroid hormone. While the pill can increase total thyroid hormone, you can’t use that hormone, leading to thyroid imbalances including hypothyroidism. - Adrenal fatigue and birth control.
Tired all the time? The pill is inflammatory and depletes a few nutrients that are crucial for healthy adrenal glands, which is important when it comes to energy levels. In response, your adrenals crank out more cortisol because this stress hormone is anti-inflammatory. While that’s fine on a one-off basis, your daily dose for estrogen and that subsequent cortisol response becomes too much for your body long-term. The pill also raises cortisol-binding globulin, which grabs onto cortisol and holds it hostage. Inflammation increases, your brain and adrenal glands stop talking, and the perfect storm emerges for adrenal fatigue.