On the Pill or Hormonal IUD?

How to Stay Healthy!

Whilst personally and professionally I prefer Fertility Awareness Based Methods for contraception (the Symptothermal Method is my favourite), for some of my clients  the oral contraceptive pill is a choice that suits them for the season that they’re in. Being mindful of the various issues hormonal birth control can cause, supporting your health while on hormonal birth control can be challenging but there are steps that can be taken to mitigate some of the potential negative effects (whether that’s the pill, or the IUD).

It’s also worth mentioning that while hormonal birth control can be effective in preventing pregnancy, it does not address the root causes of hormonal imbalances. If you’ve been prescribed hormonal birth control for the management of PCOS, endometriosis or hormonal acne and you’d like to explore taking a root cause approach, you’re welcome to book a free chat with me here.

Offset nutrient depletion.

One important consideration is that hormonal birth control methods can deplete certain key nutrients – including B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12), zinc, selenium, magnesium, vitamin C and E, tyrosine, and CoQ10. To counteract these potential nutrient deficiencies, I recommend supplementation with a good quality multivitamin; in some cases a prenatal multivitamin can be a better option as they tend to have higher levels of certain nutrients i.e. B vitamins and zinc.

Ironically, the nutrients that are depeleted are essential for a healthy pregnancy – particularly relevant for women who may eventually want to conceive after being on the pill. 

Of course, supplementation is not a substitute for a healthy diet and eating a balanced and nutrient-dense diet is a crucial foundation. In addition to a good quality multivitamin, including foods rich in the nutrients mentioned i.e. whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and lean proteins can help support overall health while on hormonal birth control.

Support your liver.

One aspect of supporting your health while on hormonal birth control is to focus on liver and gut health. The liver plays a crucial role in metabolising hormones, including those found in hormonal birth control which means hormonal birth control can put additional stress on the liver. One herb that can be beneficial for liver health is milk thistle. Milk thistle (also known as Silybum marianum) is known for its gentle and nurturing properties, making it a great herb to incorporate into a daily routine for those on ongoing medication. It can help protect liver function and support its ability to detoxify the body.

Additionally, free methods of detoxification – such as exercise that causes sweating, sauna use, and breath work – can also have a powerful impact on detoxification.

Support oestrogen metabolism.

Another consideration when it comes to supporting hormone health while on hormonal birth control is addressing any signs of oestrogen excess. Some examples of signs of oestrogen excess include breast tenderness, fluid retention, headaches, irritability, and difficulty losing weight. These symptoms may indicate that the body is not effectively metabolising oestrogen.

To support the body in removing excess oestrogen, it is recommended to consume foods that aid in oestrogen clearance:

• cruciferous vegetables. i.e. broccoli and cauliflower, are known to support oestrogen metabolism
• fibre found in foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can also help remove excess oestrogen from the body
• sulphur-based foods i.e. eggs, onions, and garlic, can also be beneficial for oestrogen metabolism

These foods contain compounds that support the liver’s ability to package and eliminate oestrogen from the body. Additionally, ensuring an adequate intake of protein can be helpful for overall hormone balance.

Supplementation can also be considered to further support oestrogen clearance; calcium-D-glucurate is a supplement that reduce oestrogen reabsorption from the gut and it can be easily incorporated into meals or drinks.

Hydration is another important aspect of supporting liver and gut health. Drinking enough water is essential for the body to effectively eliminate toxins and waste products. Even slight dehydration can impair the body’s ability to eliminate metabolic byproducts so ensuring optimal hydration is another key component of oestrogen metabolism.

Support your microbiome.

In addition to supporting liver health, it is also important to consider gut health while on hormonal birth control. The oral contraceptive pill has been shown to alter the gut microbiome, which can have long-term effects on overall health. Imbalances in the gut microbiome can lead to issues with oestrogen metabolism and other hormone-related problems. Incorporating a maintenance-style probiotic into the daily routine can help support a healthy gut microbiome. Prebiotic foods, such as fibre, can also feed beneficial bacteria in the gut.

If there are bacteria in the small intestine producing beta-glucuronidase, it can uncouple the oestrogen from its conjugate and allow it to be reabsorbed into the body. This can lead to an excess of oestrogen and potential symptoms of oestrogen dominance.

Furthermore, the pill can affect the quality of bile which – in turn – affects the pH of the gut and the health of the microbiome. Therefore, it’s important to stimulate bile flow and support liver health to maintain a healthy gut environment. Bitter-tasting foods, such as dandelion greens and rocket, can stimulate bile flow. I also suggest incorporating dandelion coffee, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and water into the morning routine to help wake up the liver and trigger gallbladder release. By maintaining a healthy pH in the gut you can keep dysbiosis down, and support the growth of beneficial microflora.

Reduce the risk of blood clots.

Hormonal mehtods of contraception can increase the risk of blood clots. I recommend speaking to your healthcare provider about a high-quality fish oil supplement to support healthy blood flow and reduce the risk of clotting. Other supplements, such as garlic formulations and vitamin E, can also help reduce the risk of blood clots.

In addition to supplements, avoiding inflammatory foods and maintaining a healthy diet is also important.

Support mood issues with professional guidance.

It’s best to seek professional guidance for yourself as an individual, but please know there are a wide range of herbs, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that can be used in therapeutic doses to achieve positive results.

Consider alternative forms of contraception.

In conclusion, there are many ways you can support yourself while you’re on hormonal contraception but given there are less risky contraceptive options, that are equally if not more effective, speak to your practitioner about what options might suit you best.

If that’s something you’d like to chat with me about, you’re welcome to book a free call with me here.