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Are you a woman who has ever sought medical advice for issues related to your menstrual cycle? Chances are, the contraceptive pill has crossed your path at some point.
It's a common prescription for a variety of hormonal symptoms, ranging from PCOS, endometriosis, and irregular periods to mood fluctuations and acne. Of course, it's also widely used for contraception.
My concern lies in the fact that the pill, often prescribed in a 10-minute GP consultation, comes with serious side effects that are not always thoroughly discussed.
The pill does not address the root cause of hormonal imbalances.
Is your missing period due to undereating or high stress levels? Is iron deficiency contributing to heavy bleeding? Do you have insulin resistance which is worsening your PCOS symptoms, causing your period to be irregular?
To figure this out a comprehensive approach is needed—this is where I can support you as a Nutritional Therapist. I can review your food and lifestyle, track your cycle, and recommend and interpret functional tests for nutrient deficiencies. Together we canwork to get your hormones back on track.
How does the pill operate?
It essentially shuts down our natural hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, suppressing ovulation! Instead, synthetic forms of these hormones, such as ethinylestradiol and progestins, are introduced. These synthetic versions lack the health benefits associated with our own natural hormones, which are:
Regulating insulin sensitivity for blood sugar balance.
Enhancing mood by increasing serotonin and dopamine.
Promoting healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Reducing the risk of cancer.
Synthetic hormones, on the other hand, bring a host of side effects, including depression, headaches, acne, hair loss, increased blood clot risk, and low libido. Worryingly the contraceptive pill is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization, alongside tobacco, asbestos, and plutonium.
Contrary to common belief, the pill doesn't regulate the menstrual cycle; it essentially shuts it down, and the monthly bleed while on the pill is a withdrawal bleed from synthetic hormones.
The pill depletes the body of essential vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins (especially folic acid, B9), magnesium, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E. These nutrients play crucial roles in stress management, brain function, and thyroid health.
The pill can also disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to digestive issues and causing dysbiosis—an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and yeast in the gut.
To counter these effects, I often advise clients on the pill to consider a high-quality, high-strength multivitamin and a good probiotic supplement.
If you're seeking personalized nutritional advice to navigate your symptoms throughout your cycle, I'm here to help.
Reach out for a FREE, no-obligation mini consultation. Click below to book.
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