Here's the problem with the pill
When you were a teenage girl experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalances like period pain, acne, irregular cycles, PMS, migraines and more, were you told that the pill would fix all your problems?
Did you know that 60% of women who take the pill are doing so not for actual contraception but to manage their cycle symptoms??!
Countless times, I've heard clients tell me that they were put on the pill to "fix" their periods. No judgment if you are one of those people who felt like you had to do this, I get it, hormone imbalances are NOT FUN. And if a magic pill could take all your problems away?... It's tempting, I admit.
But here's the problem...
Instead of addressing some of the underlying reasons why these symptoms were even there in the first place (more on that in this blog post), many doctors overlook the possibility that there is something causing them and decide to "cure you of your fertility" (like it's a disease) to manage whatever problem you're having by taking this magic pill. (Hint: I teach you how to address the root causes of your period problems in my course, Resilient Motherhood so you can heal your cycle and finally conceive your dream babe!)
Fast-forward a decade or more of not experiencing a menstrual cycle while on the pill, and now you want to get pregnant...
The problem with being on hormonal contraceptives long term is that your fertility was not just put on pause for this time, it was slowly reversing.
The pill works to prevent pregnancy by a few different mechanisms:
The pill interferes with the communication lines between your hypothalamus and your pituitary and ovaries (known as the HPO axis)
It interferes with ovulation
It interferes with implantation of a fertilized egg
And it prevents the production of fertile-quality cervical mucus
ALL of these factors are essential for successful conception and a healthy pregnancy.
And if your intention is to not get pregnant while on the pill, it works great for that purpose, HOWEVER, these effects last beyond just the time you were taking the pill...
The pill also...
Disrupts your brain's ability to communicate effectively with your ovaries
Depletes key fertility nutrients
Increases inflammation throughout your body
Induces "leaky gut" and imbalances the gut microbiome
Burdens the liver and overstresses the thyroid and adrenal glands
and causes blood sugar/insulin dysregulation
Again: ALL of these factors are essential for successful conception and a healthy pregnancy.
One study (that I elaborate on in my course Resilient Motherhood) showed that the average time to restore a normal cycle after coming off the pill was 9 months.
Hungry to learn more about how to enhance your chances of natural conception?
The more balanced your hormones-> the more normal your cycle ->the more fertile you are -> the more likely you will carry a healthy baby to term!
And women who experienced irregular menstrual cycle signs before going on the pill are more likely to continue experiencing them after discontinuing the pill (sometimes to greater extents). If you experience irregular cycles, heavy periods, PMS, PCOS, endometriosis or other menstrual cycle irregularities, check out my blog post on estrogen dominance.
Instead of just waiting to re-establish healthy fertility, why not take a dedicated, intentional approach to recovering from birth control and optimizing your ability to carry a healthy pregnancy?
Prepare for pregnancy with confidence.
I created my self-paced course Resilient Motherhood for this exact purpose!
Resilient Motherhood is for you if you:
Simply want to fortify yourself and your baby with resilient health as you enter the transition to Motherhood.
Want to stop birth control, but don't know when to start Trying to Conceive (TTC).
Want to have a child someday, but have an irregular menstrual cycle.
Have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and were told that you can't have the child of your dreams.
Already have one child, but it's taking longer to conceive your second.
Want to eat more healthy baby-building foods but aren’t sure where to start.
Have been TTC unsuccessfully for the last year, and are considering your options.
