4 ways to prepare your body to stop using birth control. A Guide to Ditching Birth Control and Taking Control of Your Hormones - Dr. Jenna (2023)

The advent of female birth control options was a significant step forward in giving women more control over their reproductive choices, which is amazing! However, I have noticed that many women have been using contraception since they were young or in their early 20s and do not know what their natural cycle looks like. And I'm noticing more and more that womenwantto learn more about your hormones, your cycles and the natural ebb and flow of your body rhythms.

Maybe she's ready for a baby. Or maybe you are postpartum, have just had children and want to experience your natural cycles. Either you just broke up or you want a break from the hormones and want to reconnect with your body. All good reasons!

But for many women, this is a difficult transition. Her periods are painful, heavy, and irregular again, and she has raging PMS. And they don't have the resources to naturally manage their symptoms or get to the root of this hormonal imbalance.

The only remedy they were historically given to deal with painful, heavy, irregular periods and raging PMS was birth control. So you're either stuck or very frustrated with your body and its decisions.

But I have good news!

Here's a secret: Birth control is NOT the only means to help you control crazy periods. There are many other tools. And I teach my patients these tools all day!

If you're ready to stop birth control because you're trying to get pregnant or are done using synthetic hormones, now might be the time!

Why women want to stop birth control

Regardless of the type of hormonal birth control you take, birth control pills establish hormonal control over your body and suppress our natural cycles of ovulation, menstruation and natural hormone fluctuations that can mask underlying medical conditions that have never been addressed. Also, contraception has a number of side effects that are often not discussed.

Women have carried the burden of birth control, toying with our hormones, fathering babies, delivering babies, feeding babies, etc. Yes, growing up and raising children is an honor for many women. But many are also done with things that hijack their hormones and play with their bodies.

So if you're ready to stop birth control because you want to get pregnant, stop putting hormones into your body, or just want to stop birth control, you've come to the right place.

Common symptoms after stopping contraception

I get a common question: how long does it take for my hormones to balance out after I stop birth control? The answer: it depends.

For some women, menstruation can return to normal in just a few months. For others, it can take time for their hormones to balance, sometimes six months, sometimes longer. And for many women, it's a bumpy ride after birth control.

Your body needs time to wake up and begin the natural flow and fluctuations of hormones throughout the month. And it's common, though not necessarily "normal," to experience symptoms after stopping birth control.All of this could indicate an underlying hormonal imbalance that is being masked by birth control hormones.This is especially true if you started using birth control for non-contraceptive reasons: menstrual cramps, heavy periods, or acne.

Here are some of the most common symptoms women seek help for:

Acne.

Elevated androgen levels are associated with acne. Why hormonal contraceptivesreduces the amount of circulating androgens, in particularTestosteroneIn women, flare-ups often occur in the body when their levels return to normal. If it persists, it might be worth investigating some reasons for elevated androgens, such as:POPor increased sensitivity to androgens. For more informationsSupport acne holistically, check out.And for PCOS myths and facts check out this blog!

Irregular or missed periods.

Your period may be sporadic when it first returns, or it may take a few months for it to return, which is normal. However, you are more likely to have irregular periods if you had irregular periods before starting birth control and the underlying reason was never addressed. This can also be due to conditions suchhypothyroidismÖPOP.

heavier periods.

Hormonal birth control limits the growth of the lining of the uterus, resulting in lighter menstrual periods. Heavy bleeding may come back when you start taking birth control pills to control your heavy periodsthe underlying cause was never addressed. Heavy and persistent bleeding is usually a sign of hormonal imbalance and may be due to itPOP,endometriosis, Öfibroids.

painful periods

The hormonal contraceptive suppresses the amount of bleeding and prostaglandins, the chemical that contributes to menstrual cramps, thus reducing cramping while using the contraceptive. If you stop taking birth control, the cramps may increase. If painful periods were the reason you were put on birth control or you are concerned, check this outBlog about natural remedies to manage painful periods.

Headache

Stopping hormonal birth control can cause headaches due to hormone withdrawal and also due to the natural hormonal fluctuations that women experience during their cycle. If the headache is persistent, it could indicate an underlying hormonal imbalance.

If you're nervous about going off birth control and don't know where to start...

Get my TOP 10 HORMONE POWERFUL FOODS FOR FREE.

These are my favorite post birth control foods for hormonal support and body detoxification.

When the women in my practice eat these foods regularly, they feel more energetic and focused and have fewer hormonal symptoms.

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You are ready to say goodbye to birth control and start balancing your hormones. But you can be tooFear of how your body, period, and cycle will feel without birth control.

Below are many of the ways I support women who are interested in stopping birth control. We certainly do NOT use all of them. Based on a woman's story (in particularWHY did she take birth control?to start) it is herGoals, usStrategize and develop a plan to support your individual body.And, of course, consult your doctor before beginning any new diet, supplement, or herb.

1. Nutrition.

When using oral contraception, the body may be deficient in essential nutrients, including vitamins B2, B6, and B12; vitamins C and E; folic acid, zinc and magnesium. Start feeding your body lots of extra nutrients with an emphasis on nutrient-dense foods at every meal, including:

• Phaseswith lots of vegetables and whole grain products. Higher fiber intake has been linked to the body's ability to balance reproductive hormones.

• HealthySlices. Foods like avocados, almonds, flaxseed, and oily fish are essential for proper hormone production and function.

• complex carbohydrates. Avoid eating simple carbohydrates (eg, pasta, cookies, chips, bread) alone to avoid spikes and crashes in blood sugar.

• suitableprotein. Multiple types of protein throughout the day to support blood sugar regulation, mental health and hormonal balance.

• phytoestrogens. Balance the synthetic estrogens in oral contraception with phytoestrogens like flaxseed. Whole soybeans in moderation, including edamame and tempeh, are also phytoestrogens.

• sparesugar alcohol,jCaffeine. All of this leads to more signs of inflammation that contribute to hormonal imbalance and uncomfortable symptoms.

2. Promote healthy detoxification.

Hormones are processed by the liver, and the balance of natural sex hormones depends on the health of the liver and intestines. (Read more about himGut, hormones and your strobolome here). By supporting the body's and liver's natural detoxification process, we can reduce symptoms of hormonal imbalance, includingPMS, irregular periods, heavy periods,jAcne hormonal. Read more aboutpromote detoxificationand try the following:

• Movement. Do something you love every day! Whatever it is, just move your body!

• sweat! Sweating can help with hormone balance, digestion, mental health, energy, etc. Aim for a sauna or sweat session once or twice a week.

• gambling. Daily. Pooping helps get rid of excess hormones! Fiber, water, colorful vegetables, and exercise promote healthy bowel movements.

• Avoid endocrine disrupting hormones(EDZ). We do not want to burden our body with further hormonal imbalances. Learn how to reduce your EDC exposureHere.

3. Supplements and Herbs.

Targeted herbal supplementation can help maintain hormonal balance and improve essential nutrients that may have been depleted through oral contraceptive use.

Vitamins, minerals and nutrients:

• B complex

• Magnesium

• Zink

• Vitamin C

• NAC

Herbs:

• Vitex, called Chaste Berry Extract, regulates ovulation, increases fertility and improves progesterone.

• Herbs that support the liversuch as milk thistle, turmeric, burdock, and dandelion root can help the liver process excess synthetic hormones, making the transition from birth control a smoother and more comfortable process.

• saw palmettoIt can be helpful for acne after stopping birth control.

4. Cycle tracking.

Bring awareness to your body and take control of your menstrual cycle and fertility with cycle tracking. Try the tips below and read more about cycle trackingHere.

• Find a cycle tracking app you love.

• Track your period, including how long it lasts and the quality and quantity of your blood flow.

• Look for discoloration or clots.

• Track your cervical fluid (the clear, stretchy, lubricating fluid that signals ovulation is near!)

• Document all PMS symptoms including cramps, breast tenderness, headache, back pain, mood swings, etc.

• Note your basal body temperature.

Ditch birth control and trust your body

Are you ready to be WITHOUT birth control? You might be ready to getpregnant, or your husband just had oneVasectomy👏🏽, or are you ready for itGet rid of synthetic hormonesor are you ready to connect with yoursbody and its natural cycle.

Whatever the reason, together we can address your unique needs.Set up an alignment callto start with me todayYour journey away from birth control and towards balanced hormones.

Cheers to happy hormones and balanced bodies, ladies! 🤗

Please note that the information provided here is for general educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are considering stopping birth control (or any other medication) or starting a new dietary supplement, consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional first. Your doctor can give you personalized advice based on your medical history and current health status.

References:

"What Causes Amenorrhea? - National Institute of Child Health and..." January 31, 2017,https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/amenorrhea/conditioninfo/causes. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

"Effect of daily fiber intake on reproductive function: the BioCycle study".https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2744625/. Retrieved June 7, 2022.