Modern forms of birth control transformed the society for women.
It provided them liberty over how they lived their lives, their profession, how they could drive their sex lives, and when and how many children they wanted.
Hormonal contraceptives have given sexually active women options and choices. Unfortunately, they’re not perfect.
Many people encounter side effects from hormonal birth control like weight gain, loss of libido, and in some cases – mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
At one point in another, everyone who is on hormonal birth control will have to go off of it. Whether that be because they’re encountering side effects or hoping to conceive, or it’s just no longer right for them and their body.
With birth control being readily prescribed and used, many people don’t give much thought to the effects artificial hormones can have on the body.
Birth Control Cleanse
More and more people are beginning to connect with their reproductive health with tools like tracking their menstrual cycle and evolving more conscious of their periods.
This increase of body understanding has people asking questions like:
“What are the long-term impacts of hormonal birth control?”
“Is there a way to cleanse my body off birth control?”
and…
“How long does it take for birth control to get out of your system?”
A birth control cleanse is a method that is commonly used by naturopathic or holistic doctors and practitioners to boost a client’s body “detox” the hormones that are in birth control. These are generally formulated with various vitamins, herbs, and minerals.
Who needs a Birth Control Cleanse?
No, you don’t require to do a birth control cleanse. A lot of people go off of birth control, never do a cleanse, and lead happy, healthy, and often fertile, lives.
Occasionally a cleanse is facilitated to benefit people with what’s called “post-birth control syndrome”. This isn’t technically an ailment, but relatively a set of symptoms that some people encounter after going off hormonal contraception, typically the pill.
This word was coined by the thought-leading influencer, Dr. Aviva Romm, in her textbook “Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health.”
Most Hormonal Birth Control works by preventing ovulation so that people can’t get pregnant. This is accomplished through the use of synthetic hormones. Several people go on birth control in the first place to help with things like acne, painful and irregular periods. Frequently people go on Hormonal Birth Control as teens to support these “issues”, which are usually just a natural part of being a teenager.
When people go off Hormonal Birth Control years later, these symptoms can occur again, much to their dismay.
Here are symptoms that people may encounter going off birth control:
- Unbearable, irregular, or heavy periods
- Absence of period, or post-pill amenorrhea
- Complication in conceiving
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Digestive problems
- Migraines
- Weight gain or loss
- Depression or anxiety
Hormonal Birth Control may also mask the symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis, which then appear when you go off the pill.
As of now, no scientific studies are affirming the use of birth control cleanses. Of course, despite how long people have been utilizing hormonal contraceptives, there are insufficient studies on the long-term consequences of being on them. That being said, science isn’t always up to speed with people’s lived experiences, and many people do benefit from some kind of birth control cleanse.
Post Birth Control Tips
Even if you don’t do a birth control cleanse per se, there are supplementary things you can do to help your body when you go off Hormonal Birth Control.
- Supplements: Like zinc, magnesium, folic acid, B vitamins, and vitamin E, which Hormonal Birth Control may deplete in the body.
- Balanced Diet: Eating a nutrient-rich diet full of healthy fats, fibre, micronutrients, and probiotic-rich fermented foods.
- Getting Plenty of Sleep: Avoid screen time before bed, and try to spend time in the sun when you can.
- Acne medication: If this is one of your main symptoms, you can treat it through skincare changes, and seeing a dermatologist if necessary.
- Give it time: Sometimes it’s just a matter of time before these symptoms subside. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for your cycle to return to normal, and for symptoms to subside. Post-Hormonal Birth Control symptoms might take even longer to show up and then to go away.
When to See a Doctor
If it’s been three to six months since you’ve gone off Hormonal Birth Control, and you still haven’t gotten your period, you may want to see a doctor.
If you’re wishing to get pregnant, it can be useful to see one anyways to get a thorough blood panel and see where your hormones are at, if you have any vitamin or mineral deficiencies, or anything else that may be helpful on your fertility journey.
It’s also wise to see a healthcare provider if you’re encountering symptoms of reproductive health issues like PCOS and endometriosis.
In rare cases, your doctor may recommend hormonal medication to help with severe symptoms.
Going off birth control is a big step. Keep following your body’s intuition, and enjoy the journey of getting to know your cycle in a whole new way.
