What You've Not Been Told About the Birth Control Pill

The truth about birth control pills

In this article, I'd like to discuss the dark side of the birth control pill. This is a fascinating subject because there actually is no real estrogen or progesterone in a birth control pill. What you have in there is a synthetic version altered in a way to mimic estrogen and progesterone.

The pill is a form of birth control. It works by preventing the production of an egg, which means that the sperm has nothing to fertilize, thus no pregnancy.

Birth control pills can be used for painful, irregular, or heavy periods, acne, endometriosis, and premenstrual syndrome.

The side effects of birth control pills vary widely among individuals, and each can cause a different side effect. However, typical side effects of some pills include breast tenderness, spotting, headaches, and nausea.

There are two main forms of birth control pills. First, there are combination pills that contain progestin and estrogen. Progestin is a synthetic form of progesterone. Then there is a mini pill that contains only progestin.

Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash

Potential side effects of birth control pills

Birth control pills affect a person's hormone levels, leading to various side effects. These effects usually resolve within 2–3 months but can persist.

In the United States, around 12.6% (1) of females aged 15–49 years take oral contraceptive pills. They are safe for most females to use.

If the side effects last for a long time or are very uncomfortable, it is best to talk to a healthcare provider about trying a different brand or a different method of birth control.

1. Spotting between periods

Spotting, also known as breakthrough bleeding, refers to the occurrence of vaginal bleeding between menstrual cycles. They may look like a brown discharge or light bleeding.

Spotting is the most typical side effect of birth control pills (2). It happens when the body is trying to adjust the levels of hormones, and the uterus is adjusting to having a thin lining.

2. Nausea

Some people experience mild nausea when first taking the pill, but this usually subsides. Taking the pill with food or at bedtime may help.

Birth control should not make people feel sick all the time. However, if the nausea is severe or lasts for a few months, it is best to talk to a healthcare provider.

3. Breast tenderness

Your breasts feel tender when you take birth control pills, especially soon after you've started taking them. However, you can reduce breast tenderness by wearing a supportive bra.

You must discuss with your healthcare provider the possibility of severe breast pain (if it hasn't already occurred) or other breast changes.

4. Migraine and headaches

The synthetic hormone in birth control pills can trigger migraine and headaches or increase their frequency.

Changes in estrogen and progesterone (the female sex hormones) can also cause migraine (3). Symptoms can depend on the type of pill or the dosage. For instance, low-dose pills may not cause these symptoms.

5. Weight gain

Birth control pills often list weight gain as a possible side effect, though research has not yet confirmed this.

In theory, birth control pills could increase fluid retention or water weight. They could also lead to increases in fat or muscle mass. However, some people may instead report weight loss when taking the pill.

According to a 2017 study (4), there has not been enough research to confirm whether the hormones in birth control pills lead to weight gain or loss.

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

6. Mood swings

Hormones play a critical role in a person's emotions and mood. Alterations in hormone levels, which may be caused by taking the pill, can affect one's mood.

A 2016 study (5) involving a million females in Denmark found that hormonal contraception caused depression.

If an individual is concerned about mood swings, they can consult their healthcare provider. If the pills cause the symptoms, then changing pills may help.

Other risks associated with birth control pills include:

· Melasma

· Stroke

· Breast cancer

· Blood clots

· Dementia

· Lupus

· Alteration of the microbiome

· High blood pressure

· Heart attacks

· A deficiency in selenium and zinc

How birth control pills work

You become pregnant when an egg released from your ovary (the organ that holds eggs) is fertilized by sperm. The fertilized egg attaches to the inside of your womb (uterus), where it develops into a baby. Hormones in your body control the release of the egg from the ovary — called ovulation — and prepare your body to accept the fertilized egg.

Hormonal contraceptives (the pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring) all contain a small amount of human-made estrogen and progestin hormones. These hormones inhibit your body's natural hormones from preventing pregnancy in a few ways.

For example, hormonal contraceptive usually stops the body from ovulating. They also change the cervical mucus to make it difficult for the sperm to go through the cervix and find an egg. They can also prevent pregnancy by changing the womb's lining, so it's unlikely the fertilized egg will be implanted.

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

Comparing birth control options

The pill and the shot are both hormonal methods of birth control. The main differences are in the method of administration. They might also produce different side effects.

Like the pill, the shot suppresses ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus to reduce the chance of sperm reaching egg cells. It is a progestin-only contraceptive.

The shot is slightly more reliable at preventing pregnancy than the pill. This is because the user does not have to remember to take it daily. However, they must remember to get a shot every three months for it to be effective.

Long-term use of the shot may lead to bone loss. This might increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture in later life.

What to do if you are on birth control pills

Birth control pills shut down the production of estrogen and progesterone, which can have long-term effects on your health. It may even affect longevity.

However, there is a hormone-free option that is FDA cleared and is 93–99% effective, depending on how well it's implemented. This form of birth control is called Natural Cycles and doesn't involve any medication whatsoever.

If you've been on birth control pills or decide to continue taking birth control pills, it may be beneficial to do things to counter some of the chemicals in your liver. You can do this by consuming more cruciferous and fermented vegetables. You may also want to take zinc, selenium, B12, magnesium, and a good probiotic.

Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash

Takeaway

Birth control pills contain hormones that affect the body in many ways. Therefore, side effects are common.

Side effects vary widely among individuals and different types of pills. However, they usually ease within 2–3 months of taking the pill.

Each person reacts differently to each pill. Therefore, a person may need to try a few different types of pills before finding the one that is right for them.

When a person stops taking the pill, their body will return to how it was before they took the pill.

If the side effects are severe, get in the way of daily life, or last for longer than three months, it is best to talk to a healthcare provider about trying a different brand or a different method of contraception.

Disclaimer: Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Correction to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this article or others.