5 reasons to avoid the contraceptive pill

problems with contraception

5 reasons to avoid the contraceptive pill

These days it is rare to speak to a woman who hasn’t been prescribed a hormonal contraceptive of one sort or another. According to the World Health Organisation, over 100 million women are prescribed it at any point in time. That is a staggering amount.

Let’s be honest, hormonal contraceptives are convenient and they have been part of the sexual liberation of women since their invention in the 1960’s. Whilst they are convenient, they are not benign.

Is the pill really bad for me?

YES! There are many reasons that have been blogged about repeatedly, but let’s narrow it down to the top five.

  1. They stop us from making our own testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen. This means that we become incredibly deficient in the real hormones we need for health, vitality, and wellbeing.
  2. Our body becomes overloaded with fake hormones – The progesterone in hormonal contraception is not real progesterone, it is a chemical called progestin whose chemical composition is closer to testosterone than progesterone. This means that where we need the calming action of progesterone, we end up with the stimulating action of testosterone which leaves us wired with mood issues. In the case of the synthetic oestrogen, not only do we see that the body becomes natural oestrogen deficient, but this synthetic oestrogen also causes a build-up of hormone in our gut (the oestrobolome) and becomes incredibly toxic. Interestingly this build up of oestrogen is one of the main hormonal causes behind digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome.
  3. Hormonal birth control is a major cause of life-threatening illnesses such as increase strokes, cancer, insulin resistance and even early menopause. A shocking number of women never get their periods back when they come off the pill which is caused by a failure of the pituitary gland due to the hormone signalling being damaged. Equally, thyroid damage is common after using hormonal contraceptives.
  4. They stop us from absorbing vitamins and minerals
  5. They cause symptoms that are overlooked and ignored– depression, weight gain, hair loss and “post pill” Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome are really common.

Early Puberty connection with the Pill

An article in the New York Times discussing the phenomenon that is early puberty, shows that the effect of the sheer quantity of hormones in our water supply and environment from toxic chemicals as well as hormonal contraceptives, are creating an environment that is affecting our children. This needs to be addressed.

Contraceptive Alternatives

This is the most common question we hear. And, here is where options drop off a little.

  1. The non – hormonal IUC coil also known as “The Copper Coil”. Whilst some people notice they have heavier periods for a while this does get better after a few months.
  2. Condoms
  3. Tech based contraception such as the Daysy fertility tracker or others. There are a lot available now, just make sure you do your research!

This is a short summary, there is lots of information out there, check it out and make sure you are really making the right choice for you, your body and your long term health.