If you are looking to get off birth control here is what I wish I did when I initially got off years ago!
I was initially put on birth control for acne, migraines and painful periods that would leave me debilitated. My OB tested multiple birth control options on me from the Nuva ring to different dosages of oral contraception only to have a worse and longer list of symptoms with each one. With no guidance, I simply finished my final pack and never went back.
Unfortunately many women are terrified to get off birth control which should be telling. If were told its "curing" our period issues then shouldn't we be cure when we get off? We were sold a lie. Birth control does not have the ability to cure period issues, it is simply a bandaid.
Birth Control works by turning off your complex symphony of hormones that fluctuate throughout the month cycle and instead pumps you with synthetic hormones that are not identical. This is why many women will feel relief if they have excess hormones but eventually we see things like depression, trouble losing weight, hair loss, mood issues, acne, infertility, migraines, gut issues, no period and more.
When I got off initially it was like I never went on - I went right back to having migraines, I lost my period for 6 months and when I got it back it was painful and I struggled with my weight.
If you are worried about getting pregnant off birth control, read my blog on preventing pregnancy naturally.
If I could go back there are definitely some things I wish I could do differently knowing what I know now.
1. Cleaning up my diet. Avoiding ultra processed foods and focusing on high quality real whole foods. Id shop the perimeter of the super market and meal prep to keep me on track. You lose a lot of nutrients on birth control so eating foods void of nutrients with synthetic vitamins are only further contributing to nutrient deficiencies which can make symptoms worse. Here are some quick nutrition tips
- Eating 25-30g of protein with every meal
- Not skipping breakfast
- Incorporating fiber rich foods
- Add minerals to your water (either sea salt or trace minerals)
- Raw Carrot Salad (raw carrots slices, coconut oil/olive oil, sprinkle sea salt)
2. Cleaning up my self care products. Tampons, body wash, shampoo, skincare can all contain endocrine disruptors. These synthetic chemicals can mimic hormones in the body causing a hormonal imbalance. It's important to start swapping out your day to day products that you use the most for clean alternatives. You can shop new skincare and more here at Live Healthillie.
3. Exercise is extremely important but more than that building muscle. Muscle is neuroprotective, good for our metabolism, our bones and even can help with our blood sugar. Many women struggle with PCOS and a huge driver is insulin. Taking walks after meals and getting in a workout that can increase muscle can be a huge turning point to heal your hormones. I love low impact exercise like strength pilates or simply weight training.
4. Lifestyle habits is huge for getting off birth control without major side effects. Here are some helpful tips you can start incorporating into you daily routine
- Strict bed time
- Less screen time
- Sauna
- Castor Oil Packs over the liver for 1hr daily (not on your period)
- Walking for 10 min after meals
- Morning sunlight on your eyes
5. Supplementation is going to be vital since unfortunately after birth control women are depleted of essential nutrients. Here is a list of supplements I would personally consider taking when trying to get off birth control or if you are still struggle with post BC side effects.
- Gut Therapy: The gut plays an important role when it comes to hormone health from estrogen detoxification to thyroid support. I love this product because it can replace a probiotic and can really help repair the gut lining. Check out our other gut supportive supplements from teas to probiotics.
- Adrenal Cocktails: Since BC shuts off progesterone production, many women struggle with an imbalance of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone after birth control. Progesterone is not just the fertility hormone but it helps with mood and so many other functions. Adrenal cocktails are filled with vitamin c which can help with progesterone production and adrenal fatigue. The sodium and potassium can help with mineral balance in the body. You can make your own with equal parts Orange Juice, Coconut Water and a pinch of sea salt or you can opt for a pre-made mix like Minerals and Chill which also has added magnesium malate which can help address gut issues and fatigue.
- Birth Control Cleanse:This product is like a post birth control multivitamin, helping to address the lost vitamins and minerals after BC. It contains trace minerals and B vitamins that can help restore lost minerals that contribute to fatigue. It contains anti-inflammatory turmeric and black pepper to decrease inflammation caused by BC and NAC to help the liver properly function and detox excess hormones.
- Liver Support: The liver is a detoxification master and can really become low functioning after birth control. When the liver is taxed this is usually when we see acne and other skin conditions arise. There are a couple ways to support the liver like drinking a tea made with essential herbs to support liver function. You can also consume glutathione which is a master antioxidant naturally produced in the liver to help fight free radicals (this is my personal favorite way to support the liver). Lastly you can use a tincture like this one from Zuma or Symbi that can support liver function, metabolism, and detoxification.
6. Last but not least definitely consider working with someone 3-6 months after getting off birth control. You can also look for a practitioner to help you get off if you arent feeling confident. It's one thing I wish I did because I definitely had no clue what I was doing back then. It took me a year to actually start feeling like myself and a lot of trial and error. If you are not sure who to work with check out my practitioner blog!
Hope this guide helps and remember - our bodies are so smart sometimes they just need a little support to get back on track.
*this is not medical advice, please consult your doctor before starting or stopping medication*
