There are many different reasons why an individual may choose to start hormonal birth control pills. Sometimes it is to prevent pregnancy, and other times it is to reduce unwanted symptoms like acne, painful periods, and irregular periods. The pill works by providing us with synthetic hormones that ultimately suppress our sex hormones, thereby suppressing ovulation. Many people transition very easily off of the pill. In other cases, people experience a major resurgence of hormonal symptoms. This is what many refer to as Post-Pill Syndrome. Having a targeted approach to supporting the hormonal system and menstrual cycle is a great way to prevent or minimize these unwanted symptoms.

Post-Pill Syndrome

Post-Pill Syndrome is not a medical diagnosis per se, but a term used to describe a common experience that occurs 4-6 months after discontinuing the birth control pill. For most people, their hormones balance back out pretty easily within a couple of months. However, there are others who experience severe acne, irregular periods and painful periods for upwards of 6 months after stopping the pill. In cases like these, there are often very few options to resolve symptoms. Often times, the number one recommendation is to go back on the pill. Fortunately, in the naturopathic and functional medicine world, there are plenty of options to help restore hormonal balance and find the root cause of symptoms.

Common Symptoms Coming Off the pill

• Irregular periods

• Heavy periods

• Painful periods

• Acne

• Mood swings

• Nutrient deficiencies

Understanding The Birth Control Pill

Oral birth control pills are used to address a wide range of symptoms, which is why it is important to understand how the birth control pill affects our bodies. We often hear that birth control pills regulate our cycles, but really, this is accomplished by suppressing our natural hormonal fluctuations and replacing them with synthetic hormones provided by the pill itself. So instead of regulating hormones, it is actually controlling hormones. This in turn, suppresses ovulation, thus preventing pregnancy. At the end of each pack are the placebo pills, which cause us to have a withdrawal bleed. This is different from a full menstrual bleed. Every brand of birth control is different, so you may have a withdrawal bleed every month, or every three months.

When deciding to stop the pill, it is important to think back to why you started it. If you had irregular periods before the pill, then odds are that you will have some menstrual irregularity after the pill. Similarly, if you started the pill to reduce acne, then you may experience acne after stopping the pill. A targeted step-wise approach can help to reduce these symptoms.

Post-Pill Hormone Support

There are many different factors that could be contributing to bothersome symptoms, which is why working with a practitioner is always recommended. These are just some of the ways to support hormonal health when stopping the birth control pill.

Replace Depleted Nutrients

Studies show that hormonal birth control pills can deplete the body’s stores of many different vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B2, B6, B9 (folate), B12, vitamin C and E, magnesium, selenium and zinc. Other studies suggest that there may be an effect on vitamin D as well. This is all to say, that when discontinuing the pill, it is beneficial to focus are nutrient rich foods like dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables.

Support Blood sugar balance

Blood sugar balance is something that can often go overlooked, but it is a key player in hormonal health, especially for those who may be dealing with irregular periods and acne. These are both symptoms of PCOS, which is heavily affected by blood sugar and insulin resistance. The easiest ways to support blood sugar is to avoid skipping meals and to incorporate a protein or fat into every meal and snack.

Support Hormone metabolism

When going off of the birth control pill, our body has to relearn our normal hormone fluctuations. As this is happening, our liver is actively metabolism excess hormones. Supporting the liver through nutrition can help ease the load off of it. For example, reducing alcohol consumption may be useful. Additionally, cruciferous vegetables like kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are great liver supportive foods.

Support Digestion

While the liver processes hormones, the bowels are what gets them out of the body. This is just one reason why digestive health is so important. It is recommended to have at least one complete bowel movement daily. There are many different ways to support digestion, but the simplest way is to have a diet rich in fiber. This means incorporating vegetables into your meals to best help with moving things along. If you find yourself tending towards constipation or diarrhea, then having additional support from a provider is important.

targeted herbs & Supplements

While the general guidelines above can support most, everyone is different. This is why targeted herbs and supplements must be personalized to the individual. Specific herbs and supplements can be recommended for improving ovulation, reducing testosterone, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing inflammation in the body. I strongly caution anyone from prescribing themselves herbs and supplements without guidance because although they are natural, they are not inherently low risk. Working with a provider to build your tailored plan is recommended.

About the Author

Dr. Hannah is a naturopathic doctor providing whole body adjunctive healthcare to patients in Maine and Massachusetts. She believes every patient has their own unique health journey, which influences her personalized treatment approach. She has a passion for helping women, mothers and families heal and thrive, all while uncovering the root cause of whatever ails them. Her goal is to empower and guide her patients on the path towards healing the mind, body and soul through natural methods of healing. Dr. Hannah sees patients locally in Portland, Maine. Through telehealth, she is happy to serve the people of Lewiston, Ellsworth, Belfast, Bangor, and all the towns in between! She now sees Massachusetts patients through telehealth as well!

Disclaimer

The information provided on or through this website is for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not a substitution for proper and personalized medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or trusted healthcare provider before making an adjustments or changes to your healthcare regimen. Natural medicine is not inherently harmless, and therefore it is important to speak with your healthcare providers for personalized medical advice.