By Schuyler Corrigan

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April 17, 2023

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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. 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. Many of these birth control options have benefits but as no surprise they do come with side effects, nutrient, and mineral depletions, or simply don’t quite align with the current health or hormonal pattern of the individual, while some options may fit your needs perfectly. Gathering information about each choice can help you make an informed decision to either begin, shift or find other birth control options to match your unique needs. 

Potential side effects to be aware of with oral contraceptives:

• Hair loss
• Loss of libido
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• PMS (including emotional ups and downs, headache, bloating or irregular periods). 
• Heavy menstrual bleeding and/or pelvic pain
• Depletion of essential nutrients including magnesium, B vitamins, folic acid & zinc

 

In some cases if this is occurring, you may not be the best candidate for oral contraceptives and thus you may need pharmacogenomic testing to determine the best drug therapy for you. Not everyone can metabolize or utilize oral contraceptives the same. Thus we need more tailored options for you as a person.Pharmacogenomic testing can help you discern this.

 

Read More: An Evidence-Based Update on Contraception

Questions to ask yourself or your providers before choosing or discontinuing birth control

• What are your goals? Is it an effective way to prevent pregnancy? To regulate or support hormone health? 
• What is the health of your current menstrual cycle? Are they regular, irregular, painful, or even excellent? How would you ideally like birth control to affect your menstrual cycles?
• What is the state of your relationship? Some birth control options are more full-proof than others, and the stability of your relationship may be a factor when choosing between long-term and short-term birth control options, or protection from sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). 
• What is the best option for your current health or health history? If you have a history of heart disease, weakened immune system or chronically high blood pressure hormonal birth control methods may not be the best option.  
• How long have you been on a birth control method, and what age did you begin? If your goal is to discontinue birth control, you may or may not have cycle irregularities or unexpected health symptoms post-birth control. Your provider can provide support for you in this process with anything that may arise. 

 

Read More: The Naturopathic Approach to Women’s Health