Co-author: Nicky Skinner
There should be a warning when this medication is handed out like candy that there’s a whole host of other side effects that can quite literally make you feel like a completely different person
“a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association of over one million women showed that women who began the pill were more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant”
– Dr Jolene Brighten – Beyond the Pill
This highlights that the pill contributes to far more than just mood swings when it comes to our mental health…
However this isn’t the only side effect/symptom(s) that aren’t made abundantly clear (that should be), others include:
– anxiety
– increased incidence of depression
– weight gain
– insomnia
– low mood/mood swings
– migraines/headaches
– painful sex, vaginal dryness
– thyroid imbalances
– low libido
– nutrient depletion; vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
– clitoral shrinkage
– skin issues
– hair loss
– leaky gut
– intensifies blood clot risks
– increases risk of breast, cervical and liver cancers
– triggers autoimmune disease
– increase risk of diabetes
… even partner attraction can be altered!
The pill is also associated in decreased stress response, particularly with cortisol imbalances making women less able to cope with stress, decreasing memory function and increasing brain fog
“…should be warning women that they could get depressed on the pill”
– Sarah Hill pHD from her book This Is Your Brain On Birth Control
The pill tends to be handed out to women with symptoms or conditions such as breakthrough bleeding, dysmenorrhoea, poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, acne and ovarian cysts as a ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION
When in reality, it shuts down your natural hormone production and the communication between your brain and ovaries – which actually makes matters worse!
Women shouldn’t have to change who they are to protect against pregnancy 🙅🏼♀️, and we should be told this is a possibility when we are offered this medication! 🚨
Research shows that over 58% of women go on the pill for reasons other than birth control! 😳 Most probably because they were told this will ‘balance your hormones’ or ‘fix your periods’ 🤦🏼♀️
This is what we like to call ‘the BANDAID 🩹 effect’ … where unlike FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE where the ROOT CAUSE is address, we just slap a bandaid over something that needs stitches!
When we really should be asking the question WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?! 🧐
Why are my periods 🩸 heavy?
Why am I getting breakthrough bleeding?
Why are my cycles irregular?
Why am I tired 😴 all the time?
Why do I get mood 🙃 swings?
This is where it can be easy to blame your doctor, but most often they are just taught that this pill is the solution for any kind of hormonal problem in women 😅
Please see a qualified practitioner if you are wanting to come off the pill, if you are not sure where to look feel free to comment or DM me for support and guidance in the right direction! 💕
Yours in Health & Happiness,
Sheree xo
Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer & Wellness Coach I empower women like you to transform their lives, understand their bodies and feel their best from the inside out!