The low down on the oral contraceptive pill and your health.
The oral contraceptive pill (OCP) gets a lot of bad wrap in the natural health space. As a conventional medication the OCP serves it's purpose as an option for birth control, however, historically it has been over prescribed to females during their teenage years often without full disclosure of the side effects of long term use and the impact that it has on female hormones and overall health.
If you are to make informed decisions about your health and wellbeing whilst continuing to take the OCP it’s vital that you understand what you are working with and the impact that this daily medication has on your hormones both currently and in the long run.
How does the OCP work?
Most commonly it is made up of a combination of synthetic hormones: Levonorgestrel (synthetic progesterone) and ethinyl estradiol (synthetic oestrogen).
The OCP inhibits pituitary gonadotropin secretion of Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which shuts down ovulation and increases the viscosity of cervical mucus to reduce receptivity of the endometrium to implantation. Therefore reducing the risk of a resulting pregnancy following intercourse.
The OCP is conventionally prescribed for:
Acne
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Endometriosis
Birth control
Cyclical headaches and migraines
Menstrual cycle irregularities including - painful periods(dysmenorrhoa), missing periods (amenorrhoea), irregular and inconsistent periods (oligomennorhoea)
Side effects of the OCP include:
Altered brain structure leading to increased instances of depression and anxiety
Disturbance of gut and vaginal microbiome leading to increased occurances of IBS, thrush and urinary tract infections
Reduced bone density
Zinc deficiency further impacts mental health
Insulin resistance
Weight gain
Nutrient depletions caused by the pill:
B vitamins - B6, B2, B12, B9 (folate)
Magnesium
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Selenium
Zinc
Unfortunately the nutrients depleted by the pill are ones that support thyroid health, fertility, energy production, nervous system function, mood regulation and antioxidant status. The impact of these losses alongside the dysregulation causes to the endocrine system, gut health, the nervous system and reproductive health can make transitioning off the OCP a tricky thing to do, the timeline to return to balance is different for everyone but can often take a number of months to return to your natural menstrual cycle.
I support clients in my clinic to continue with the OCP when they feel it is the right option for them, however, it is never without this education piece. If you are currently taking the OCP, I would recommend reading Lara Bridens book The Period Repair Manual which is an easy to understand handbook every woman should read if wanting to understand their body and menstrual cycle.
If you are wondering where to start when it comes to transitioning away from the OCP, it's a great idea to work with a nutritionist or healthcare practitioner who can support you to make the transition as smooth as possible.
E.A.N.
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Reference list
Basciani, S., & Porcaro, G. (2022). Counteracting side effects of combined oral contraceptives through the administration of specific micronutrients. European Review for Medical & Pharmacological Sciences, 26(13).