Why Birth Control Pills Aren't the Cure for Non-Contraceptive Health Issues
My doctor started me on the birth control pill at the age of 16, and not for birth control. My periods were quite heavy and irregular; I likely had polycystic ovarian syndrome. But no testing was done, and no other options were offered.
I ended up staying on birth control until I was ready to have children - about 13 years later!!! That’s a long time to be taking hormones as a band-aid, but I didn’t know any better at the time. Hence, the reason for this blog. To educate my readers about using the birth control pill for non-contraceptive issues.
If your doctor has suggested birth control pills to manage symptoms like acne, PMS, irregular periods, or menopause symptoms, you're definitely not alone. These medications are prescribed for many reasons that have nothing to do with preventing pregnancy - and while it might seem like a simple solution, there's a lot more to consider.
As both a functional medicine physician and someone who reversed my own chronic condition through lifestyle changes, I’ve seen too many women struggle when birth control pills are used as a one-size-fits-all answer for various health concerns. Let's dive into why this approach often misses the mark and what better alternatives exist for our long-term health.
The Real Issue: Symptom Suppression vs. Root Cause Healing
Here's what we need to understand: symptom suppression is not the same as root cause healing. When we use birth control pills to quiet symptoms like painful periods, acne breakouts, or mood swings, we're essentially putting a band-aid over what our bodies are trying to tell us. Our symptoms are how the body communicates with us.
Our menstrual cycles are actually like another vital sign - when everything is working well and our cycles are regular, it implies that our body as a whole, with its many interconnected systems, is functioning properly. When things are off, it's often a signal that we need to look deeper at things like our gut health, stress levels, nutrient status, metabolic health or thyroid function.
Birth control pills can mask these underlying issues, which means we might be delaying true healing while creating new problems.
How Birth Control Pills Really Work in Our Bodies
Most birth control pills contain synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone - hormones made in a lab that aren't exactly what our bodies naturally produce. The goal is to prevent ovulation by completely shutting down our natural hormonal communication.
But here's what happens when we flatten that natural hormonal rhythm: we lose all those ups and downs that are supposed to be there. While this might seem appealing if we've been dealing with PMS or mood swings, it's actually disrupting a complex system that affects far more than just our reproductive health.
These synthetic hormones aren't processed by our liver the same way our natural hormones are. While our own estrogen is anti-inflammatory to us, synthetic estrogen can become inflammatory as it's metabolized, potentially creating problems throughout our bodies.
The Hidden Downsides
Nutrient Depletion
Birth control pills deplete crucial nutrients including B-vitamins (especially B6, B12, and folate), magnesium, zinc, and vitamin C. These nutrients are vital for:
Mood stability and energy production
Healthy immune function
Proper thyroid function
Our body's ability to handle stress
Fertility when we do want to get pregnant
The longer we use birth control pills and the higher the dose, the more significant these depletions can become.
Gut Health Disruption
Research shows that birth control pills alter our gut microbiome - the beneficial bacteria that support everything from immune function to mood regulation. This can lead to leaky gut, which creates inflammation throughout our bodies and can contribute to autoimmune conditions, food sensitivities, and digestive issues.
For those of us who might have preexisting inflammation, or an autoimmune condition, it can really worsen things for us down the road.
Mood and Mental Health Effects
There's growing research showing links between birth control pill use and depression, anxiety, and mood swings. The pills can alter our neurotransmitter activity (things like serotonin and dopamine) and change how we respond to stressful situations.
This is especially concerning for teenage girls, who might be prescribed the pill for acne or irregular periods during a time when their brains are still developing and they're already at higher risk for mood disorders.
Blood Clot Risk and Other Serious Concerns
The synthetic estrogen in birth control pills increases our body's production of clotting factors, raising the risk of dangerous blood clots. This risk is highest for those over 35 who smoke, but it's something all of us need to be aware of.
Birth control pills can also raise blood pressure and affect thyroid hormone conversion, leaving more of our thyroid hormone bound to proteins and inactive.
When Birth Control Pills Are Prescribed for Specific Conditions
PMS and Mood Symptoms
While the pill might blunt hormonal fluctuations that contribute to PMS, it's not addressing why we're having such severe symptoms in the first place. Often, PMS is related to nutrient deficiencies, stress (and our stress hormone cortisol), poor sleep, or blood sugar imbalances - all things we can address naturally.
Acne
Birth control can help with hormonal acne by suppressing androgen production, but it's not fixing the underlying insulin resistance, inflammation, or gut imbalances that often drive skin issues. Plus, when we eventually stop the pill, the acne often returns - sometimes worse than before.
Heavy or Irregular Periods
While birth control can certainly help with excessively heavy bleeding, using it long-term for irregular periods means we never discover what's causing the irregularity. It could be thyroid dysfunction, PCOS, stress, or nutrient deficiencies.
Menopause Symptoms
This is where the mismatch becomes really clear. Birth control pills contain "supra-therapeutic" doses designed to shut down our natural hormone production - but during menopause, we need gentle, bioidentical support with much lower doses. Using birth control pills for menopause is like using a megaphone when our bodies need a whisper.
Better Approaches That Work With Our Bodies
Address the Root Cause
Instead of suppressing symptoms, we can investigate what's really going on:
Support our body's natural detoxification pathways
Address nutrient deficiencies through diet and targeted supplementation
Balance cortisol levels, which directly impact our other hormones
Restore gut health to support overall wellbeing
Optimize sleep, stress management, and movement
When Hormone Support Is Needed
For menopause specifically, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses hormones molecularly identical to what our bodies produce naturally. These can be customized to our specific needs and delivered in physiologic doses that support rather than suppress our natural processes.
Natural Cycle Support
For younger women dealing with PMS or irregular periods, we can support healthy cycles through:
Balancing blood sugar throughout the day
Ensuring adequate protein and healthy fats
Supporting liver detoxification
Managing stress and prioritizing sleep
Addressing any underlying conditions like PCOS or thyroid dysfunction
Birth control pills are quite effective for birth control, with a little support
When contraception is the main goal, birth control pills are very effective and for some, this is the best option to prevent pregnancy. In this case, a little support goes a long way to prevent nutrient deficiencies and allow the body to function as best it can. Here are some ways we can support our bodies while on birth control:
Nutrient Support
B-Vitamin Support: Since birth control depletes B6, B12, and folate specifically, consider a high-quality multivitamin or focus on B-rich foods like leafy greens, eggs, wild-caught fish, and grass-fed meats.
Magnesium: This is one of the most important minerals to replace. Look for magnesium glycinate or a combination magnesium product since birth control significantly depletes magnesium stores. Signs of deficiency include muscle cramps, poor sleep, anxiety.
Probiotics: Since birth control alters the gut microbiome, consider a high-quality probiotic with multiple strains, or focus on fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and yogurt.
(If you are looking for some high quality support in these areas, check out my online store for Balanced Multi, Balanced Magnesium and Balanced Probiotic.)LINK
Detox Support
Since your liver has to work harder to process synthetic hormones, we want to support the process the best we can.
Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and kale support liver detoxification.
Stay Hydrated: Your liver needs adequate water to function optimally.
Limit Alcohol: Giving your liver a break from alcohol means it can focus on other jobs.
The Functional Medicine Difference
In functional medicine, we always ask: what's the root cause? Whether we're dealing with acne, PMS, irregular periods, or menopause symptoms, these aren't just inconveniences to be suppressed - they're our bodies' way of communicating that something needs attention.
Our bodies have an amazing capacity to heal and find balance when we give them the right support. We just need to work with our body's wisdom rather than against it.
There's Always Hope and Better Options
Here's what we want every woman to know: there's always something that can be done. We don't have to accept that hormonal issues are just something we need to cover up or live with, and we don't have to rely on approaches that create new problems while masking the old ones.
If you're currently using birth control pills for non-contraceptive reasons, please don't just stop them without having another plan in place. Work with a healthcare provider who understands root cause approaches and can help you address what's really going on. And if you are taking birth control pills for contraception - please don’t stop without another reliable option.
Remember, our hormones are supposed to cycle and fluctuate - that's how our bodies were designed. When we support rather than suppress these natural processes, we often find that our bodies are incredibly capable of healing and thriving.
The goal isn't just to quiet symptoms - it's to feel vibrant, energized, and like the best version of ourselves. And that's absolutely possible when we address root causes and trust our body's innate healing capacity.
We all deserve healthcare that empowers us with knowledge and supports our body's natural wisdom. Because when we understand what's really happening and address the root causes, lasting transformation becomes not just possible, but highly probable!