Many women turn to birth control for many different issues. Acne, to regulate their periods, to make them not have a period, help with symptoms of PMS, and to prevent pregnancy. 

But, do you actually know what is happening to the body when you start taking a birth control? Have you ever researched the side effects of birth control?

Understanding your cycle

The menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. Cycles vary from one woman to the next and can be anywhere from 21 days to 38 days. The first phase of the menstrual cycle is where the woman will shed the lining of the uterus. Estrogen and progesterone drop, which can cause “period symptoms”.

The menstrual phase lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days (on average). The next phase (which starts at day 1 and lasts until you ovulate) is called the follicular phase. It stimulates your hypothalamus to stimulate your pituitary gland (in your brain) to release FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone). This hormone stimulates your ovaries to produce 5 to 20 follicles. Each follicle contains an egg.

Most of the follicles are reabsorbed into the body and only the healthier 1 or 2 will mature and be ready to be fertilized. The follicle causes estrogen to thicken the lining of the uterus, which prepares the body for implantation of an embryo. 

Typically the follicular phase lasts for 16 days. The rise in estrogen triggers your pituitary gland to release Luteinizing hormone (LH), which kick starts ovulation. In ovulation your mature egg is released from your ovary and travels down the Fallopian tube toward the uterus. This is the only stage in your cycle where a woman can get pregnant.

Ovulation usually happens right in the middle of the cycle (example day 14 of a 28 day cycle) and can be very easily tracked if you are in tune with your body. There will be a rise in basal body temperature (this is checked before getting out of bed in the morning). Also, you will have an “egg white” discharge. Ovulation lasts 24 hours and if the egg is not fertilized the egg will die.

When the follicle releases the egg, it releases progesterone and some estrogen. This hormone release keeps the uterine lining thick to help the egg be implanted upon fertilization. If you do become pregnant, your body produces hCG, which is what a pregnancy test detect, which keeps the uterine lining thick.

If you don’t become pregnant, estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, the lining of the uterus is shed and causes an onset of the first day of your period. Starting the cycle over again.

Side effects

There are many problems with taking birth control. Firstly, it messes with your hormones! When you take a pill to manipulate your cycle, you are changing the balance of estrogen and progesterone in your body. Most birth control pills are estrogen pills. So you will become estrogen dominant. Just to name a few symptoms of having too much estrogen: mood swings, headaches, anxiety, weight gain, hair loss, fatigue.

Some other more severe issues with taking birth control is that it has been shown to cause secondary Raynauds disease (due to estrogen dominance) and many autoimmune diseases like; lupus, Crohns, Ulcerative Colitis, and multiple sclerosis. There are more than 100 diseases that fit into the category of autoimmune disease, and about 75 percent of the 50 million people living with autoimmune disease are women! With about 40 million women on birth control.

Some research has found an association between the risk of developing eczema and using birth control pills. There may also be an increased risk of developing the skin disorders pemphigus and vulval lichen sclerosis

Women on birth control are more likely to be diagnosed with depression. This is due to change in hormones, as well as, changing the gut microbiome.

Chiropractic

Getting adjusted helps not only to regulate your cycle, but also helps with symptoms of PMS. It’s commonly misunderstood that having pain and issues with periods are normal. Having any issues with your period is NOT normal. 

Chiropractic helps you figure out what is going on with your body and help fix the root cause. That could be through diet, exercise, supplements, changing skin care products or cleaning supplies or a combination of both. All while resetting your nervous system with the chiropractic adjustment. If you interested in getting rid of birth control, look into chiropractic and natural family planning. Understanding and tracking your cycle can be the key that makes you in control of your fertility.

Give us a call today to help you live a healthier life!

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036