Read Part 1: The Pill: Sex, Drugs and Mood Swings
Oh the pill. Sometimes I miss you. You made it all so much easier. Sort of. Sex may have been a little more worry-free, but I felt like poop. Not only does The Pill (hormone supplement), mess up our natural hormonal balance, take us completely out of touch with our natural cycles but also depletes a myriad of essential nutrients that then cause a whole other basket of conditions and disorders. There are too many to mention so I am going to summarize the main issues, which include estrogen dominance, yeast overgrowth and nutrient depletion.
Estrogen Dominance and The Pill
As simply put as possible, when our hormones are in balance, we are in balance. Our moods are stable, our digestion is regular, our sleep is sweet and deep, our appetite is healthy, our immune system is strong, and our energy is good. Perfect health, right? Hormones aren’t just the sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone but also adrenalin, insulin, cortisol, and thyroid hormones among others. When any one of these is out of whack, the rest tumble along domino style to compensate. Our endocrine system is just that, a system, where it all needs a sweet balance to operate at its best. Now, what happens when we take hormones in the form of supplements? Humpty dumpy has a great fall and we timber to a place of imbalance.
Estrogen dominance is one of the most common results of long term birth control use. Not only is estrogen in the pill, but a form is also in soy foods and now everywhere in our environment so it is no wonder that conditions associated with high levels have taken over. Drinking from plastic bottles, drinking tap water, eating and breathing cause increases in our estrogen levels. It has infiltrated our world and is associated not only with hermaphrodite minnows but also (and this is just a selection): acceleration of the aging process, allergies, asthma, hives, rashes, sinus congestion, autoimmune disorders, breast cancer, cervical dysplasia, impaired thyroid function, decreased sex drive, depression with anxiety or agitation, dry eyes, endometrial (uterine) cancer, fat around the abdomen, hips and thighs, fatigue, fibrocystic breasts, foggy thinking, hair loss, headaches, hypoglycemia, increased blood clotting, infertility, irregular menstrual periods, irritability, insomnia, mood swings, osteoporosis, polycystic ovaries, PMS, slow metabolism, uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, and bloating.
Fun times ladies. I’ll see your lumpy breasts (which doctors say is normal) and raise you abdominal fat (hello muffin top!) and perhaps a sprinkling of cranky pants (temper tantrum much?)
Yeast Overgrowth and The Pill
I have yet to meet a woman who was on the birth control pill and had never experienced a yeast infection. There is nothing appetizing about cottage cheese discharge and itchy, inflamed vag. We take The Pill which contributes to this, then take an antibiotic to get rid of it, which, actually further contributes. It’s a lose lose. Candida and yeast, are commonly found in the digestive tract, where a healthy balance are imperative to digestive health and immune health. Common lifestyle choices of peeps in our society that include things like The Pill, antibiotics, processed and refined grains and sugar, oodles of stress, and acidic or negative thoughts can all lead to a yeast overgrowth. Toxins from yeast overgrowth then lead to a kit’n'caboodle of other delicious problems, commonly starting with some sweet poon infections. We can then move onto goodies like migraines, infertility, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, psoriasis, PMS, depression and digestive disorders. But hey! We can treat all those as symptoms right? And keep carrying on taking The Pill all the while being flummoxed about why they keep coming back. Oye-gevalt-denka-shayne. No ladies. No, no, no.
In plain English, yeast overgrowth has been closely linked to estrogen dominance in a woman’s body caused by the pill and the risk increases with length of usage.
The Crazies and The Pill
In Nutrition and Vitamin Therapy, Michael Lesser, M.D. has suggested that the “increased blood levels of copper generated by oral contraceptive use may contribute to depression and emotional symptoms”. You don’t say. What about increased blood levels of copper from a copper IUD? Same. Same.
Another profesh on the subject, Sharon DeBuren, nurse practitioner and nutritionist, has stated that the depression from The Pill could likely be a “neurochemical reaction to artificial steroids (female hormones), and from a lack of women’s own superior hormones including estradiol and natural progesterone secreted with ovulation”.
Further, the pill causes major depletion in specific nutrients, such as the B vitamins, responsible for keeping us smiling. So now let’s give a little time to the nutrient losses.
Nutrient Losses With The Pill
Nutrients depleted by The Pill include vitamin B2, B6, B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, magnesium and Zinc. Let’s have a look at a few of these.
Vitamin B2 (Roboflavin): Roboflavin has a profound effects on the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. All three of these basic food elements require riboflavin if they are to be properly utilized by the body. A deficiency of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) may result in bloodshot eyes, abnormal sensitivity to light, itching and burning of the eyes, inflammation in the mouth, a sore and burning tongue, and cracks on the lips and in the corners of the mouth. It may also result in dull or oily hair, an oily skin, premature wrinkles on the face and arms, and split nails. Riboflavin deficiency is associated with the malfunctioning of the adrenal glands- making us unable to cope with normal amounts of stress. It can also contribute to such disorders as anaemia, vaginal itching, and cataract. Interestingly, vitamin B2 is vital for normal reproduction, growth, repair and development of body tissues including the skin, eyes, connective tissue, mucous membranes and the immune and nervous systems.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Vitamin B6 supports more vital bodily functions than any other vitamin and works as a co-enzyme (team player) in order for many other reactions to occur in the body, including the digestion and absorption of protein. The forming of histamine, serotonin (keeps us happy), dopamine (lets us sleep) and adrenaline (cope with stress) are dependent on vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is required for the production of serotonin and helps to maintain healthy immune system functions. B6 is required for the balancing of hormonal changes in women as well as assisting the immune system and the growth of new cells. Deficiency symptoms include itchy, peeling skin (dermatitis), cracked and sore lips, dizziness, irritability, depression, neuropathy, poor coordination, confusion, and insomnia.
Magnesium: A vital mineral in the body and is needed for the proper functioning of muscles and nerves, activates cellular enzymatic activity, necessary for calcium, vitamin C, phosphorus, sodium and potassium metabolism, important for converting blood sugar into energy and perhaps most important, it is our anti-stress mineral. A deficiency therefore results in muscle cramping, rapid heart rate, aching muscles, menstrual cramping, depression, cranky-pantsness, insomnia, irritability, hyperacidicty, and anxiety to name a few.
Now, don’t all these deficiency symptoms sound an awful lot like PMS? Funny that.
To add to that, because The Pill is metabolized by the liver before being eliminated, it puts an additional burden on an already overworked organ. You may think, ‘Hey, no worries mate’ (especially if you’re Aussie, you would say that) ‘I’ll just take a multi-vitamin and be on my marry, birth control pill taking way’. Not so simple mis amgias.
Elson Haas, MD has the following recommended nutrient program and it is kind of insane, keeping in mind this is only so that you’ll break even. If you already have a deficiency or are dealing with any other health challenge, you need to more than this.
Nutrient Program for Oral Contraceptives
| Water | 1½?2 qt. | |||
|
|
||||
| Vitamin A | 5,000-10,000 IUs | Calcium* | 600-1,000 mg. | |
| Beta-carotene | 10,000-20,000 IUs | Chromium | 200-400 mcg. | |
| Vitamin D | 200-400 IUs | Copper | 1?- mg. | |
| Vitamin E | 400-600 IUs | Iron | 15-20 mg. | |
| Tiamine (B1) | 25-50 mg. | Magnesium* | 400-600 mg. | |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 25-50 mg. | Manganese | 5-10 mg. | |
| Niacin or niacinamide (B3) |
25-50 mg. | Molybdenum | 150-300 mcg. | |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 50-250 mg. | Phosphorus | 600-800 mg. | |
| Pyridoxine(B6) | 25-50 mg. | Potassium | 1-2 g. | |
| Cobalamin (B12) | 50-200 mcg. | Selenium | 150-300 mcg. | |
| Folic acid | 600-800 mcg. | Zinc | 30-60 mg. | |
| Biotin | 200-400 mcg. | |||
| PABA | 25-50 mg. | Fatty acids, olive, or Flaxseed oils |
1-2 teaspoons | |
| Vitamin C | 1?3 g. | |||
| Bioflavonoids | 250-500 mg. | |||
Other Random Ickies and The Pill
“A woman more than doubles her risk of breast cancer even 20 years after she has stopped taking the pill, and women who have taken the pill for more than eight years also dramatically increase their risk for all cancers.” (British Medical Journal, 2008; 336: 59-60). Some more pretty news is that the “the birth-control pill can lead to an increased risk of gum disease by encouraging bacterial growth in the mouth” (Contraception, 1998; 57: 381-4).
Another sweet nothing I can whisper in your ear is that the birth control pill causes an imbalance in vaginal pH leading to an increased susceptibility to infection. So you can take the pill and go bareback to your heart’s content, but you have also set your vag terrain up for the ideal conditions to contract VD.
Of course there are other options. You think I would freak you out about this and not provide solutions. See you tomorrow, but don’t forget to enter to win one such solution!
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You’re fantastic. I have been a “pill user” for years…and years…and years. The side effects mumbled at the end of commercials or lazily across a platic clipboard never seemed like they could be any real threat. This post changed my mind, I hope to win that awesome Justisse Starter Kit!!!
Another great post
SO good
I’m about to throw my pills in the trash and freak out my boyfriend.
honestly, i had resigned myself to being “that bitchy girl” for the rest of my life. I didn’t know any better. I didn’t know I could feel any differently. i didn’t even know i could feel like a “normal” person, until i stopped taking that pill 3 years ago. It was the single best decision that I have ever made.
I have been a monster for a week, well, honestly, almost all of my married life……now I can blame it on The Pill!!! Love your blog, so glad it I was referred to it. My dr. and I are gonna have a longgg talk!!!
It’s been 10 months since I’ve been pill-free, thanks to YOU!! And I feel so much better. This is a wonderful series.
“I have yet to meet a woman who was on the birth control pill and had never experienced a yeast infection.”
I’ve been on the pill for 7 years and have never in my life had a yeast infection.
Haha… I’ll probably get one now that I’ve said that.
But I just wanted to point out that all these side effects you mention…not everyone experiences them.
I do agree with most of what you are saying though. The pill is not natural and it does things to out bodies that are pretty iffy. But how much in our society IS actually natural? We pop advils for headaches, we take antibiotics when we get sick…
And you even said yourself that “Not only is estrogen in the pill, but a form is also in soy foods and now everywhere in our environment”
I did a lot of research on the pill when I first started questioning it and I found that for every study that says something good, theres a study that says something bad.
I also spoke to my aunt who is a doctor and although she was neither arguing for or against it, she explained to me how it works and told me reasons why it may actually be beneficial to take it in some cases.
At the end of the day I do wish I didn’t have to take the pill… but its effectives can’t be argued. I know myself, and I know how much stress it would cause me every single month waiiiiting if I wasn’t on it. And isn’t stress just as bad for our health
I would have put myself in the camp of “I take birth control and have never had a yeast infection” a couple of years ago. I had been on it about 5-6 years, when I noticed a change in discharge. Every doctor I saw just said it was a mild yeast overgrowth and that I could live with it. THEN it turned into raging yeast infections every few months.
At that point, an antibiotic was prescribed. I haven’t had a raging one since, but the whole situation left me feeling very icky. At no point did anyone recommend going off birth control to solve the problem.
I’m seriously thinking about it now. Whenever I get the itchies, and fear the return of the yeast infection, I wonder what I can do to stop it. After all of the dietary changes I’ve made, it’s pretty clear what the next step is.
this seems to be the root of the problem – that so many things in our daily life have become unnatural.
not everyone takes advil for a headache, or antibiotics for infections. there are other ways to cope with these things, and even better, ways to prevent them in the first place. the excess of estrogens in our daily life now is one more reason to avoid getting even more of it from the pill. and even with all these excess estrogens bombarding our foods and our our water and our lives – we have a choice about how much of them we let into our bodies.
we have a choice about almost everything that goes into our bodies, actually, and it is important that we realize this and start giving the power back to ourselves… and realizing that we deserve it.
one of my teachers always used to say that every time we put something into our mouthes, is an opportunity to move either closer or further away from great health. every time we eat broccoli, or a chocolate bar, or pop a pill, or choose to drink water, or choose to drink a coke, or choose NOT to drink a coke – every opportunity is a chance to increase our health.
Great info!
And look what happened when you went off! Met your dream boat and fell in love. No such thing as coincidence!
Very informative! Thank you so much for sharing.
“But how much in our society IS actually natural? We pop advils for headaches, we take antibiotics when we get sick… ” That’s a whole other problem and the challenge with the field I am in. We are so programmed to think that a pill will resolve our problems. It resolves symptoms, not the causes of the symptoms. I have long since disregarded scientific studies. Anecdotes from real people, leading real lives and having real experiences in uncontrolled environments is so much more telling. As you said, you can find a study that supports whichever view you want supported.
As I always says, and as I said with H1N1, all any of us can do is trust what resonates with us, individually. Happy to know you have found something that works for your lifestyle.
This series is amazingly helpful, thanks Meghan! Oh, and I would love to win this too!
I blogged about it!
Do we need separate entries for each? I am RSS’ed to MLitK!
I was just trying to throw a different opinion out there!
I completely agree with you about how we are so programmed to think that a pill will resolve our problems. And just as an FYI, I’m never the person to just “pop advil”. I was just trying to point out that a lot of people do that.
I am also pursuing a career in nutrition and I am ALL about looking for the causes of symptoms, not just a band aid solution. I always question scientific studies and your blog has made me question everything even more so.
At the same time, I do have the highest regard for modern medicine and the things it has done. So I’m trying to find a bit of balance there
I LOVE your blog for bringing so many of these issues to light and giving us a place to discuss!
I started experiencing brain fogginess 5 years ago, when I returned from my study abroad trip. I thought it was a result of my overdrinking while abroad and losing brain cells. It just clicked with me while reading this that I started taking the pill the semester right after I got back from my trip…I have been contemplating going off of the pill for a bit and it’s getting more and more clear that I should. At least to get my quick thinking back…I look forward to tomorrow’s edition of alternatives. Thanks Meghan!
[...] Drugs, and Mood Swings? Did I get your attention? Meghan at Making Love in the Kitchen has some great information and a unique non-food giveaway [...]
I went off the pill for good at the beginning of this year, it made me crazy to the point of actually becoming mayor of crazyville, population: 1
I risked my health, and my relationship and decided that light periods and willy-nilly sex just weren’t worth it.
I still have that great relationship & our great sex life – and if I don’t win the starter kit, I’m going to buy one anyway
Are there any ways to reverse the damage that has been done? I got your Lunar Cycle tutorial last year (or was that earlier this year? whenever) and have tried to follow that but my cycle still hasn’t synched with the moon. Is following that a good way to reverse some of the damage that has been done? Obviously d/c’ing the pill is the first step (done) but what happens next?
Thanks, you’re fab.
I’m a little concerned because I have so many of those problems – lumpy breasts, muffin-topping (for 20 years), and probably one case or another of poly-want-a-cracker-cystic things. And I’ve only taken the pill for about 1 year – 10 years ago.
I’m hoping the changes I’ve made will balance all of that out. I quit smoking, quit eating animal products (95% anyway), and gave up diet coke. I’m on Day 47. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have a muffin top. Really – how weird would that be?
I would suspect that body fat is a bigger cause of estrogen increase in most of us than soy foods. Then there’s soy oil, a double-whammy! Fat cells produce estrogen, so the more overweight you are (female or male), the higher your estrogen.
Sure is. Also consider how long you were on the pill or out of balance. Takes time to reverse the patterns we create.
I’ve been on the pill for about 9 years now (well, nuvaring for the last 4ish years.) The first couple pills I tried were no good- made me so horribly depressed. Then I found a good one, then I found nuvaring and have been even happier with it.
I was one of those women who had really.really.really awful cramps in my pre-hormonal contraceptive days. I was “lucky” in that I didn’t really have any other symptoms like PMS and the bad pain was usually only the first day of my period. BUT… The first day of my period EVERY month was pretty much a lost day for me. I was in so much pain I’d vomit several times a day. So BC really did seem like a god-send to me in a number of ways.
Even though the first few made me depressed, I was willing to try around to find something that not only took care of that horrible pain, but that was also a good effective birth control. And I did, and for the most part, I’ve been really happy with it.
But, I’ve been realizing more and more over the last few years that my sex drive is never as strong as it is during the times when I’m not taking any form of HC. For that reason alone I’ve been considering going off of any for of HC. But honestly, I don’t think I can deal with the stress associated with some more natural method (I mean, come on… I read Vanessa’s book. You told her that your method has you scared for a few days every month!) I’m just not sure I can handle that. In fact, I’m sure I can’t. I’m getting ready to start grad school…and we do plan to start having kids in a few years. But that monthly stress, the thought is awful. But so is the thought of continuing to have this sex-drive that is only so-so.
Even though research and posts like yours make me wary of them, I feel pretty good about the research I’ve done too. So, I think I’m leaning toward some sort of IUD, probably not the Mirena since it has hormones in it and I think that’s probably my problem…
My basic thought is that, even though I really do agree with a lot of the premises of this series your writing, various forms of birth control have done more good for women than harm. It’s all about expanding our options and choices…
Oh, and I’m another one who has never had a yeast infection. I’m 29, been on BC since I was 20 and have never, ever had a yeast infection of any sort…
Anyway. As always…thanks for the well research and enthusiastic post!
I’ve been waiting for this post! Very informative. Funny, I recently went off the pill because I kept forgetting to take it and then I mucked up my cycle. I was put on the pill by my gyno after surgery. I was like Kim in that I would get really bad pains and feel so sick the first two days of my period. The pill assisted with this.
It’s a catch-22 I guess. For those women who choose natural forms of birth control, what is the success rate?
What about lack of contraception. If you accidentally get pregnant, is it an option to keep the baby? Is abortion ever an option? These are very personal and individual questions. But although I am on a break from the pill, I will probaqbly go back on it. I’m not ready to have a child (just turned 24) and I’m not sure if I want to put myself through having an abortion.
I’ve also been told by my Dr that I have a better chance of falling pregnant when I’m ready if I stay on the pill now and come off it later. I have asked several questions about this and based on my circumstances, this seems to be the best option for me right now. I am, however, willing to keep an open mind and try and find something more natural that is just as suitable.
I haven’t had any weight gain and I’m already a moody bi*ch so not too sure if I have been affected by the pill in the same way as others. I’d love a bit of weight gain!
i’m a subscriber!!!
I like contests and YOU are lovely.
How am i supposed to get your website finished when you keep writing these really interesting articles??
Great content! (I’m just now catching up on yesterday’s news)
I just wanted to back up what you said about the lumpy breasts. I had a lump in my breast when I was in college, freaked the hell out and went to the doc. I was relieved when she told me, “Oh that’s normal, don’t worry” but a few years later, I began to wonder why having lumpy breasts is considered normal!? It’s not!!
Anyway, I just thought I’d share tell you how I am enjoying these posts! Now I’m off to read today’s new and exciting info!
What a great article! However, I was on the pill for about 5 years and have never ever had a yeast infection…
I accidentally ran out of bc last month and had to wait about two weeks to get to my doctor and get a new prescription. During those two weeks, I felt so so so much better than usual (didn’t even know I was feeling bad until I stopped taking it). More energy, way less crazy, no more mood swings etc. It’s just so ridiculous how “normal” it has become to take medication every day. I didn’t even think of it as medication anymore (as I’m sure most people don’t) because it had become as normal as brushing my teeth everyday. So, now I’m off it.
Only problem is that I have an irregular cycle and am nervous to use the “rhythm method” as I am not interested in procreating at the time being. It’s hard to track your cycle when it’s so irregular. Anyone have any tips?
Thanks again for the great article Megan.
I just had this very same conversation with a friend. Lumps, bumps…. normal because it’s common. That doesn’t make it good. Cancer is pretty close to normal too. 1/3 I believe is now that stat- don’t worry the doctor says its normal.
Wow. This series, well, it’s well-timed at least. I started the pill almost exactly a month ago and waited that long (I’m 21) because having something alter my hormones so much weirded me out. It’s nice to not worry about condoms breaking, etc., and I’ve had no horrible side-effects thus far, but reading about all of the long term problems is putting me back into my prior mindset.
Now I’ve just got to figure out an equally inexpensive way to control when I wish to have babies…(birth control in my state is free).
Thank you for writing about all of this, it’s great information that a lot of people ignore in favor of using the “easier” pill. I know that’s why I’m on it right now.
Thank you for writing about all this is good information that not many people interested in supporting the drug “easy. I know that why I am now.
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