{"id":10288,"date":"2023-03-01T02:25:39","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T02:25:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nara.care\/?p=10288"},"modified":"2023-07-04T19:02:39","modified_gmt":"2023-07-04T19:02:39","slug":"are-you-ready-to-ditch-hormonal-birth-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nara.care\/are-you-ready-to-ditch-hormonal-birth-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Are you ready to ditch hormonal birth control?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

1- why you might ditch HBC, <\/em><\/strong>
2-What that looks like,<\/em><\/strong>
3-Healthy period basics<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In theory, birth control is on our side, right? At its conception (ha, get it?), hormonal birth control was a huge deal for women\u2019s independence and our ability to control if and when we wanted to have children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, in recent years, women have started to speak up about the numerous side effects we feel from hormonal birth control, while holistic medical experts have started to shed (ha) light on the importance of regular ovulation for our whole-body health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what you need to know about birth control and your cycle: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Having a period is considered so<\/em> medically vital that it is referred to by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as the Sixth Vital Sign. How our period shows up (regularity, heaviness, accompanying symptoms) is considered to be a crucial indicator of overall health. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    1. Hormonal birth control effectively shuts down your cycle. With the exception of some hormonal IUDs, you generally do not ovulate while on hormonal birth control. Even if you are bleeding each month, it\u2019s not the same as bleeding after ovulation. It\u2019s called a \u201cwithdrawal bleed\u201d and it is a hormonally different event.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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      1. When you ovulate, your body produces sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone). These hormones are not just useful for fertility and having a period, they have tons of roles in the body including regulating mood, bone health, and insulin sensitivity, and prevention of heart disease and dementia. If you don\u2019t ovulate, you don\u2019t get these hormones or these benefits.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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        1. Ok, this one is wild. Being on hormonal birth control affects your whole body, including your brain. Did you know that even who you are attracted to can change because of birth control? To have your mind blown and learn how\/why this happens, check out this TedTalk from Sarah E. Hill<\/a>, author of How the Pill Changes Everything: Your Brain on Birth Control.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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          1. Many patients are placed on birth control to \u201cregulate\u201d their period when they suffer from conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis. But, if you\u2019re not actually having <\/em>a cycle, it can\u2019t be regulated. The pill can help you have a withdrawal bleed at regular intervals, but this, again, doesn\u2019t give you the benefit of hormones from ovulation. Holistic medical experts like Dr. Aviva Romm <\/a>or Lara Briden ND<\/a> have advice for how to manage these conditions while allowing your body to cycle. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Now, if you decide not to use hormonal birth control, what do you need to consider? Certainly, you\u2019ll need an alternative method for the prevention of pregnancy. Non-hormonal options include the copper IUD, barrier methods (like good old-fashioned condoms!) or the Fertility Awareness Method, which involves using biomarkers to understand when you are most (and least) likely to get pregnant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Next, especially if you were using hormonal birth control to manage period symptoms, you\u2019ll need to consider how to support a healthy, symptom-free period. The health of your cycle relates to the health of YOU, so holistic health practices will go a long way in decreasing unwanted period symptoms such as cramps, breast tenderness, or moodiness. Make sure that you are supporting your body with regular exercise, stress management (meditation practices, adaptogens), a nutrient-dense diet, hydration and rest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Here are some additional tips to support your cycle health:<\/p>\n\n\n\n