My motto has always been “Have ovaries, will travel,” but since I can’t be everywhere at once, I’m going to do the next best thing: video!
I’ve hand-picked some of the most common and insightful questions you’ve asked me, and for the next few months I’ll be answering those questions weekly on my new vlog series: Food, Love, and Ovaries.
How harmful is the pill? from Alisa Vitti on Vimeo.
Now, I want to hear from you!
First: Have you recently come off the Pill?
Second: It’s easier to #quitthepill with support – let’s share our experiences.
Third: You know every one you know is hormonal – spread a little good ovary karma and share this article on social by clicking the buttons below 
Need more Hormone Help?
If you’re needing some health upgrading, it’s time you started you looking into what’s going on with your hormones.
I’ve designed a 4 day hormone detox and evaluation to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance so that your hormones no longer have to suffer.
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Thanks for your answers, I´ll buy the book that you recommend here.
Hi Emilia, Thank you for following along. That’s wonderful! Happy reading! Yours in the FLO, Alisa
IUD’s! I can’t believe you didn’t mention IUD’s. They are a GREAT option! And as the non-hormonal is as effective as the hormonal–well, you can get the same birth control benefits without messing with your system.
Hi Sheri,
In certain cases IUDs can be a good option but they don’t work for everyone.
Thanks for pointing that out though – perhaps it will be the subject of a future vlog!
Jessica
FLO Health Counselor
I can speak from experience and an IUD is not a universal solution. My doctor recommended and IUD for my pcos and my symptoms dramatically worsened. I battled depression, weight gain, acne, irregular cycles and horrible cramping.
I find it disappointed you didn’t mention the NFP option….learning to take and read ones basal temp and read muscus and cervex sign. I did this for years! It works, it’s all natural, it truly helped me know my body and it’s fertility!!!
I agree, the modern methods of NFP are valuable options that you should lay at the disposal of all women and couples. I particularly like the Creighton Model and the Marquette Method of NFP, but there are many more !!! WOMEN DO YOUR RESEARCH!
Kris & Kitty –
Great points!
The book Alisa refers to in the video – Taking Charge of Your Fertility is all based on the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) – very similar to NFP and Creighton.
Sorry we weren’t more clear that that’s what it is!
Happy cycle tracking,
Jessica
FLO Health Counselor
IUDs can be great — if they don’t perforate your uterus or stimulate the growth of fibroid tumors…
True, Esther!
great video Alisa! I’ve used natural charting methods and barrier birth control my whole life while watching friends suffer on hormonal contraceptives. they all thought it would be too hard to learn to chart their cycle- but in fact its pretty easy and so empowering to know exactly when your fertile times are 🙂 thanks for sharing this. Rachael xxx
Thank you, Rachael! That’s beautiful that you followed your instincts to connect with your body. Yours in the FLO, Alisa
So glad you are enjoying the book, D!
On behalf of Alisa I’ll say that it certainly could be low progesterone, as well potentially a slightly slow thyroid, which can be responsible for long bleeds like what you’re describing.
Without knowing more about you, we really can’t be more specific, but I encourage you to sign up for a consultation with one of our counselors to discuss everything more.
I just know how much value the online program has and how much it will not only transform your health, but also your business! Being in the FLO means much more than just having a healthy cycle 😉
Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] to sign up for a consultation.
In support,
Jessica
FLO Health Counselor
My girlfriend and i have been together for 3 1/2 years we have always had a great sex life up to about 4 months ago. The time before the last time she started balling during sex, we where having a great day so it really scared me, And then after the last time everything changed She started taking the pill about a 1 and 4 months ago, Back to the last time she told me she dont known whats wrong with her and i said something about the pills then/ Well last Thursday she called it off said she guessed she lost that feeling. Sad it was killing her that she could not give me what i wanted. I have been going crazy trying to figure this out. Everyone in my fam tat knows her and myself say that is not her something is wrong. And i know she is not seeing anyone. She looks at me like i don’t exist and she never been angry. And she mad. At me and she broke up with me. Could this be the pill?
Hi! I want to quickly re tweet and share this video series on Facebook but I don’t see the links. This is great info! Ask webmaster to add thee links for sharing! Thanks!
I love your work but was really shocked you are recommending spermicide. I have not heard of the Today Sponge (not a Seinfeld fan) so I just looked it up. I know that some spermicides have been discovered to INCREASE the transmission of HIV for women (in particular) in studies in Africa. This is because of the local irritation they cause to the vagina making it more susceptible to infection. Can you please comment on this? Is this some new safe “edible” spermicide?
Oh yes its not any kind of new edible spermicide, its Nonoxyl-9 which in the year 2000, was cautioned by researchers who identified it as an irritant and facilitates the transmission of HIV. Here is an NPR report. I heard about it in 2000.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/02/06/146343080/what-spermicide-users-should-know-but-often-dont
Hi Penelope,
Thanks so much for bringing these studies up and for your careful attention.
It was Alisa’s intention to provide OPTIONS for women who choose not to be on an oral contraceptive. That being said, each woman has to adopt their options based on their lifestyle and needs.
For those women who are sexually active with multiple partners, the sponge would NOT be a good option. But for women who are in a monogamous relationship and not sensitive to the spermicides, the sponge could be a great option.
I hope that clears things up!
Jessica
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Hi Alisa, I was wondering what is your opinion on spirals for 30 year old women? Like Mirena or copper one? I am taking pills for already more than 5 years, but due to all information that you and Dr. Gotfried are providing I’m leaning to ditch the pill and take other sort of birth control. My husband can’t wear condoms, so that’s also not an option and we are thinking of having children in the near future, maybe in two years or so. Frankly, the idea of having something in my body repulses me, even more if I would have to put it everytime myself, so I was thinking to try out Mirena, but its also hormones and I don’t like already how the pill influences me. It did help out my acne and PMS symptoms, especially pains, but I still am very moody and want to cry most of the time before period or have to postpone things to just go lay in bed cause I feel like I’m sick. I have already taken care of nutrition, I eliminated grains and sugar and am in ketosis like low carb diet, excercising regularly so I think due to pill I have hormonal disbalance and want to try non hormonal birth control.
Hey Agne!
thanks for writing in. this is a great question. I highly recommend you pick up Alisas book because she discusses all the different options in there. But, I will let you know that she doesn’t really recommend them for women who have not yet had a child and who wish to become pregnant….but more so for women who are done having children or are choosing not to have them. She says this because there is a (rare but still existent) risk of infection or forming scar tissue in the uterus at the implantation site, which can make conception more complicated. She highly recommends barrier methods instead.
Hope that helps!
In support,
Shannon
The Flo Living Team
This is a great introduction to birth control and less harmful barrier methods. I have never used the pill, and do not plan to ever use artificial hormones that may affect my body’s natural cycles.
I have been using condoms for years, tho, mother nature took over. I got pregnant with correct use of a condom, I’m not sure if it was the day my period ended, or the week after, just a few days before I ovulated. I feel it was close to ovulation, but again, I am not sure. When I found out, I read many stories that women can spontaneously ovulate anytime in their cycle. It is not common, it seems, but it does happen. No barrier method is 100% if a soul wants to come thru, they may be determined to do so! They have free will, but as women, so do we. So we can be as informed as possible, and be with male partners who treat their sexual power with care, and practice conscious conception if that is the route both partners want to go.
What a beautiful perspective Rani. I absolutely agree, if a soul wants to come to us, they will find a way and sometimes, defy all odds!
Keeping writing in!
In support,
Shannon
The Flo Living Team
Great question! I’ve been on the pill for 15yrs! Wow, so crazy to say. So grateful it’s been only good for me. It cleared my acne and never caused me weight gain or lack of sex drive! I’m on OrthoTri-cyclen Lo.
But I agree Alisa, you have to listen and be aware of your body to know what’s going on!
Hi I submitted a comment a few weeks ago , I guess you choose not to publish it or chose to move on to your next blog posting ?
I thought it was important to add to the info about fertility and contraception. Thanks, Bhavana
Hi Bhavana!
I’m so sorry, your comment must have gotten buried somewhere in the cyber world. We never would have deleted it or not posted. We’ve located it and I am going to be replying momentarily. Sorry for the mix up.
Look forward to supporting you!
🙂
Shannon
The Flo Living Team
Hi Bhavana!
I have no idea how your comment disappeared, but this is it right? “This is a great introduction to birth control and less harmful barrier methods. I have never used the pill, and do not plan to ever use artificial hormones that may affect my body’s natural cycles.
I have been using condoms for years, tho, mother nature took over. I got pregnant with correct use of a condom, I’m not sure if it was the day my period ended, or the week after, just a few days before I ovulated. I feel it was close to ovulation, but again, I am not sure. When I found out, I read many stories that women can spontaneously ovulate anytime in their cycle. It is not common, it seems, but it does happen. No barrier method is 100% if a soul wants to come thru, they may be determined to do so! They have free will, but as women, so do we. So we can be as informed as possible, and be with male partners who treat their sexual power with care, and practice conscious conception if that is the route both partners want to go.”
My reply:
Love this reply Bhavana! I absolutely agree! If a soul wants IN, then they will always find a way and defy all odds!
Thank you so much for writing in and we hope to hear from you again soon!
In support,
Shannon
The Flo Living Team
What are the common side effects from stopping the pill? Thank you.
Regarding your recommendation on Aloe Cadabra, it contains sodium benzoate. Do you have any comments to this? 🙂 Thanks for all your lovely informative videos!
Hi there! I absolutely loved your book and have passed in on to a number of friends. I transitioned off hormonal birth control over three years ago and after a readjustment period, have enjoyed fantastic reliable periods with light flow and very minor cramps…and then met a wonderful man, we are in a monogamous relationship, and neither of us want children. So this month after a lot of convo, we decided to try the copper IUD. This is month one…and it’s been awful. Heavy cramping, period started 8 days early, super heavy flow. I just wondered if you’ve found that this evens out over time, or if the Womancode program has been effective in helping manage them, or maybe even return to some semblance of my previously wonderful cycle? Thanks so much for any perspective…I really don’t want to go back on the pill or hormonal methods, but we’re not quite at the stage yet where tubal ligation or a vasectomy feels right. Thank you so much! I love the work you do.
Hi Sarah,
Unfortunately, I don’t have a definitive answer for you. Every one responds differently to the IUD. Listen to your body and do what feels right! Also watch zinc levels as copper can deplete zinc stores! You can try this via a blood test.
Alisa
Thanks so much for the info. These most recent years especially with the me too movement ive been feeling that feminine energy of empowerment strongly. Ive been on the pill for 15 years, starting young to help control my acne. The past 3 years, as ive become more holistic in my thinking and question big pharma, ive been thinking of stopping. My longterm bf and i have broken up a few months ago, i havent been sexually active, im at the end of my year prescription and i think its finally time, give my body a break. But it really is scary, ive been doing fine, no real reason to stop except ive been on it for soo long. My period stops a few cycles at a time, which they say is normal when on the pill for so long, but issss it, i question. I worry about how my body will transition. I worry about doing the right thing to protect myself of pregnancy when i do become sexually active again. Ive been thinking about copper iud when i do meet a partner. I worry about how my body will react to that. (And after reading some of these comments, realize i have a lot to read up on about that).
Anywho, your page has been my first pit stop in educating myself and has made me feel a little more at ease on my journey. Helping me take my power back and let go of that fear by learning about my options. Thank you so much. You are doing so much for the female collective and I appreciate you.