We all know about the most obvious side effects of the birth control pill, like blood clots, breast cancer risk, and depression. But there are a few you probably haven't heard about yet, which may already be affecting you:
1. Counteracting Your Fitness Goals
A study found that women on the pill gain 60% less muscle mass than women who are not taking oral contraceptives. In a 10-week weight training program, half the participants were on the pill and half were not. By the end of the program, women who were not on the pill had gained significantly more muscle mass, had higher levels of muscle-building hormones, and lower levels of muscle-breaking hormones like cortisol.
2. Attracting the Wrong Mate
Guess what? The pill may also be wreaking havoc on your relationships. In an experiment conducted at the University of Bern in Switzerland, women were asked to smell t-shirts worn by anonymous men and then pick the one that appealed to them most. The results showed that they chose the ones with a certain gene set that were very different from their own, making them genetically compatible. When this set of genes is too similar, the risk of miscarriage increases. Women who were on the pill in this study chose the t-shirts with genes that were very similar to their own, suggesting that the pill interferes with a woman's ability to choose her most compatible mate. As one woman from the study pointed out, "A colleague of mine wonders if the Pill may contribute to divorce. Women pick a husband when they're on birth control, then quit to have a baby and realize they've made a mistake."
Of course, the pill can and does work for some women, however if you're using it to put a band-aid over annoying menstrual symptoms, to regulate an irregular cycle, or because you don't know what else to do, it's time to consider other options.
Getting in touch with your natural hormonal balance is key to unblocking many areas of your life that you may not have even considered were related. We are not knocking the pill and the incredible impact it's had on so many women and the women's liberation movement as a whole. As we at FLO have always believed, it's so important to know the facts and have all your options available before making any decision, especially when it affects your body.
If you are on the pill as a band-aid therapy to mask symptoms like irregular cycles, acne, or heavy and painful periods- you should know there is another more effective option. Our 5-step protocol gets to the underlying causes of all of those symptoms, balancing your hormones and avoiding the dangerous side effects of medication. Why not take a break from unnecessary medication and experiment with what being natural can do for your body - and your love life!
Always remember, that once you have the right information about how your body really works, you can start making health choices that finally start to work for you! You can do this - the science of your body is on your side!
to your FLO,
Alisa
Good things come in threes:
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It is soooo true that the B/C pill wrecks havoc on our systems. Due to my doctors urging, I got on them to help with my pcos symptoms. It was awful!!! I tried different ones but nothing worked. I personally think that they made everything worse. It is so sad that there isn't a more natural approach to birth control and that so many young girls are prescribed them.
I agree, Claudia! And I think education is key - the more young girls (and women!) learn about their bodies and cycles, the more they can make informed decisions about birth control and their hormonal health. There are other options aside from the pill - and that's why we're here at FLO!
Have you been able to help your body naturally since coming off the pill? Let me know if there's any way we can help support you!
jessica
This is really, really interesting. What do you recommend as birth control instead? I'm looking for a better alternative so I can get off the pill. Thank you 🙂
Hi Maya!
I'd recommend a combination approach - learning about and tracking your cycle, along with choosing the right barrier method for you. "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" is a great book to get you started on thinking about alternate methods, and of course I'm happy to chat with you in more detail to see if our approach at FLO would be a good fit for you in helping you make the transition.
Let me know if you'd like to set something up!
to your natural flo,
jessica
I have been on the pill since I was 15 years old and now 34 so I would love to read more about coming off the pill yet hubby and I are not planning on having children so I sometimes feel at a loss of where to turn 🙁
Hi Yvonne!
Even if you're not planning on having children, it's still important to have your natural FLO going for many other reasons. AND there are birth control options that can help you prevent pregnancy without the negative side effects of hormones.
If you feel called to make a change, I'd be more than happy to spend time on the phone with you, going what's going on with you and seeing how I can be of help.
Feel free to message me with your contact info if you'd like to set something up!
[email protected]
in support,
jessica
The first side effect is so interesting! I thought I would lose weight after quitting the pill after 10 years in April since it was making me so bloated, but I actually gained about 10 pounds. I was upset at first but my clothes fit the same if not a bit looser and I did notice more muscle tone all over. I definitely put gained more muscle while keeping my food and exercise the same AND, save a little pre-flow retention, the bloating is gone.
Yvonne and Maya: I'd definitely recommend reading "Taking Charge" and checking out the TCOYF website. My husband and I have successfully used FAM (fertility awareness method) as natural birth control for 7 months now and there are ladies on that forum that have done so for over 5 years without a scare.
I agree it is frustrating that there IS natural birth control and most women don't know about it! I have a masters in biology and never learned anything beyond estrogen, progesterone, and ovulation on day 14. So thankful for the work the FLO ladies are doing 🙂
Hi Jen!
Thanks so much for chiming in. And wow - I agree with your frustration! Even in the academic world women are not learning enough about their bodies!
Keep in touch and keep us involved in your journey 🙂
jessica
(flo living counselor)
I can tell you aren't an average person by the way you write content. Your content is way too engaging and intelligent to come from an average thinker. Thank you.
Hi,
I have been tak8ng claudia pills to help with my hormones and acne but you say there are other options, which ones ?