By Schuyler Corrigan

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March 18, 2024

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Many women are on some form of birth control or have a long history of birth control use that may be directly or indirectly affecting their health in some way. We find that there can be a misunderstanding and mystery around the use of birth control, and how to make sure it is the best solution now and in the future. Here are a few questions we receive, along with general information about the use of popular birth control options:

 

How long should I be taking birth control, and does it have any side effects?

The length of time you take birth control mostly depends on how long you intend to prevent pregnancy or manage other symptoms for which it was originally prescribed. There are many reasons why a doctor may prescribe birth control as a form of health care, and as your body changes or family planning changes, then the discontinuation of birth control can be discussed with your doctor. 

 

Like any drug, birth control can have side effects, and each woman may experience some of these side effects while others may not. Common side effects include weight gain, mood swings, loss of libido, hair loss, fatigue, heavy menstrual bleeding and/or pelvic pain, skin changes, and PMS (including emotional ups and downs, headache, bloating, or irregular periods). However, even though birth control does come with these common side effects, it shouldn’t mean that you have to suffer.  There are options and support to assist with some of the side effects.

 

How do I know which birth control is the best option for me?

There are dozens of options for birth control today, and choosing the right one can be tricky and require precise questions to your prescribing doctor. Your reasons for taking birth control play a role in choosing the right one (ie, for hormonal regulation, acne, pregnancy prevention, etc). Also, your ability to metabolize and process birth control should be considered. Many people metabolize drugs differently, and pharmacogenomic testing is very helpful in determining if you can appropriately process some birth controls better than others. If you are having a poor reaction to starting a new birth control (such as mood swings, rapid weight gain, or headaches, for example), talk to your doctor about this and consider doing pharmacogenetic testing to inform your choice. 

 

Are there any interactions or nutrient depletions from taking birth control?

One of the most important things to remember is that taking birth control depletes many essential nutrients that we need for healthy brain, digestive, kidney, and cardiovascular function. Common nutrient depletions of birth control include magnesium, zinc, selenium, B vitamins, and folate. This means we need to make an extra effort to consume plenty of foods every day that contain these nutrients or supplements appropriately. 

 

Regarding interactions, always check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure anything else you are taking is OK to take alongside your specific birth control, as certain drugs can reduce its effectiveness for contraception.

 

How long will it take to get my period back if I discontinue birth control?

Some women regain their cycles almost immediately while it takes other months or years to get their periods back on track. There are a lot of reasons for this fluctuation, including underlying hormonal dysregulation or issues such as PCOS or endometriosis; your stress levels, your diet, and even your exercise habits can impact this. Some girls are put on birth control almost immediately after they begin their periods and take it for decades, never really knowing what their “normal” periods should be. This can be further explored to assist with regulating your cycles post-birth control if this is a concern for you. 

 

If I don’t want to take birth control, what are my other options?

If you are taking birth control for health issues such as hormone regulation, acne, or skin issues, preventing menstrual migraines or extreme PMS, to regulating periods, or preventing anemia, talk with your medical team about other available solutions that are in alignment with your goals. They can help you get to the root cause of these issues and navigate other potential solutions. 

 

Birth control is extremely effective at preventing pregnancy, and for some women, this is the best option for their family planning or personal situations. If your goals are to prevent pregnancy without the use of prescribed birth control, make sure to educate yourself (through your own self-study and talking with your doctors) about how your menstrual cycle works and you are savvy and consistent with tracking your cycles. There are plenty of ways to track your cycles these days, but understanding how your body and reproductive system work is really key here. 

 

Resource: Taking Charge of your Fertility 

For many women, choosing to be on birth control during any phase of their life can be a challenging decision. Between the pill, intrauterine devices, contraceptive implants, and natural cycle tracking, you may have curiosities about where to start, or how to shift from one form to another over time due to your health goals. While we are fortunate to have options, there are considerations for each choice that you can discuss with your PCP, ob/gyn, or other providers to determine the best choice for you. If you want to further discuss individualized female health, please call our office and schedule an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors.