Embracing Hormonal Harmony: My Journey of Natural Healing After Coming Off Birth Control
- cayleegray
- Mar 5, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 6, 2024
**While I discuss my experience of birth control, it's crucial to note that I respect every woman's choice in contraception, as it is a personal decision shaped by various factors. Every woman should be empowered by their ability to make a decision that is best for her body.**
Just like many women, I went on birth control when I was 18 years old to ensure that I would not accidentally become pregnant. I never questioned going on the pill and honestly never had any problems with it. I consistently got my period at the exact same time every month (which I later learned that it wasn't an actual period, just "breakthrough bleeding"), and did not experience negative symptoms from being on the pill (but after coming off of it I learned that it did cause a low libido, mood swings and brain fog).
Seven years on birth control pills had become the norm for me, until I stumbled upon the book "Beyond the Pill" by Jolene Brighten. I devoured this book and it terrified me to learn that I had been taking birth control for 7 years without the knowledge of the many negative side effects that can come from it. Learning about the potential adverse effects of hormonal contraceptives and knowing that I absolutely wanted kids one day and didn't want fertility complications, I made a profound decision - to embark on a natural healing journey after bidding farewell to the pill.
The Detoxing Phase
Coming off the birth control pill was not a walk in the park for me. My body decided to initiate a detox process that manifested as hives, persisting for a month. Within that month, I saw doctors and dermatologist and nothing that they gave me would help with hives. No one was able to give me answers as to why I was dealing with hives and it soon became evident that this was my body's way of purging itself from the synthetic hormones it had been accustomed to for years. It was a challenging but necessary phase in my journey toward hormonal balance.
Looking back at it, I can't believe I went through it. These pictures are what I dealt with daily for a month. I often couldn't sleep because the itching of the hives would be too intense.
Post Pill Symptoms
The first few months post-pill were honestly, the worst months I've ever lived health wise. I no longer knew my body and did not know how to make my body feel better. At the time, I had been vegan for at least 6 years and I believed, at that time, that I was eating the "perfect diet." I ate no sugar, no gluten, no processed foods and every meal consisted of a plate full of vegetables. I was also drinking plenty of water every day, never drank alcohol or smoked and worked out every single day. Like I said, I thought there was no one that could be living healthier than me yet I was miserable and was dealing with so many issues.
My period quickly became irregular... I even lost my period for three months. I began to get horrible acne which I had never dealt with in my life, significant hair loss, and persistent bloating and stomach pain. I also had absolutely no libido (shout out to my boyfriend who loved me through all of this) and honestly just was not happy. I remember dealing with horrible mood swings and doing everything in my power to find ways to make myself feel happy. All of this was a stark reminder of how deeply birth control had influenced my body and the adjustments it had to make to regain equilibrium.
How I Healed My Hormones & Body
Cycle Syncing
Recognizing the need to support my hormones, I dove head first into learning about cycle syncing and how to live with my cycle vs. against it. I made a conscious decision to prioritize eating, working out and living based on what cycle I was in. This included embracing gentle movement over high intensity workouts and listened attentively to what my body needed. This shift allowed me to discover the benefits of cycle tracking and adjust my lifestyle, including diet and exercise, to align with the distinct phases of my menstrual cycle. Learn more about cycle syncing HERE!
Nutritional Adjustments
Another significant change in my healing journey was learning the importance of nourishing my body well. Coming off the pill and experiencing constant bloating despite eating "perfectly," I knew that I had to make changes.
I learned about the importance of the gut and how to heal it. The gut is often considered the "first brain" of the body because your gut health will affect your body in so many ways including mood, energy and acne. Birth control can ruin the gut lining and your gut microbiome, so I worked diligently to heal my gut. Healing the gut can look differently for people but for me it included incorporating high-quality animal products back into my diet, eating natural pre/probiotic foods (yogurt, kefir, fermented foods), focusing on blood sugar balance and putting less stress on my body physically.
For me, the vegan diet was no longer supporting my body and weirdly after coming off the pill, I began to crave eggs. After a couple of weeks of craving eggs I gave into the craving and decided just to listen to my body and eat an egg. After eating my first egg, I felt so good that I ate 4 more. I slowly began to reintroduce animals products starting with chicken, beef and then dairy products and had never felt better. It was so healing to my body to consume quality protein that wasn't tofu or beans.
I also learned about the importance of blood sugar balance and ensured that I was eating enough protein in every meal to make sure my blood sugar remained balanced. Blood sugar spikes can cause an imbalance in women's hormones and cause gut problems so learning how to keep my blood sugar stabilized was another game changer for me.
Stress Management
Understanding the interconnectedness of stress and hormonal health was pivotal. I realized that the stress induced by the changes happening in my body was exacerbating my symptoms. By adopting stress-management techniques, such as mindfulness and relaxation practices, I began to observe positive shifts in my hormonal balance. I began to practice daily gratitude to shift my thoughts to focus on all of the good around me and to thank my body for all that is was still doing to support me. I also learned the importance of not allowing myself to become stressed about what I was eating, how I was moving my body, and how I was caring for my hormones. Sometimes we can get fixated on doing everything "perfect" which can result in even more stress. When I simply slowed down and tuned in to my body, I was able to truly heal.
Today
Fast forward to today, I am happy to say that I feel healed from the inside out. My menstrual cycle gradually regulated and I now have very regular period. My PMS (mood swings and cramps) no longer affect me the way that they did. I rarely deal with acne, bloating or low libido. I truly have found harmony within my body and mind and it has allowed me to live the life that I have longed for happily, healthy and feeling my absolute best.
In maintaining this balance, I focus on eating whole foods, moving my body mindfully and limit my stress as much as I can. I am mindful with what I put in my body and honestly rarely eat processed foods. I love to indulge in a sweet treat which typically are homemade... but I also don't get stressed out if I enjoy a dessert from anywhere else. I focus on moving my body in ways that feel good - walks, pilates, barre, HIIT, strength training. I understand that importance of rest and I have the mindset that rest is productive! Finally, I do my best to manage stress. I am by no means perfect, but I do my best to not stress over food, movement or how my body is functioning. Our bodies are so resilient and when you tune in to your body and work as a team, it's life changing.
Honorable Mentions
While a lot of my healing was through daily living practices and changes, I of course have some favorite products that helped me through it and that help maintain healthy hormones:
For the face:
For the hormones:
For the mind:
My journey of healing hormones naturally after years on birth control was transformative. It was not an overnight thing and it took me probably a little over a year to finally feel like myself again, so be patient with yourself. It highlighted the importance of respecting our bodies, understanding the impact of hormonal contraceptives, and embracing holistic approaches to well-being. While every woman's experience is unique, my hope is that sharing my story will inspire others to explore natural alternatives and prioritize their hormonal health. After all, true empowerment lies in understanding and nurturing our bodies on our own terms.
If you would like to learn more about my healing journey or comfort during yours, please reach out to me!
Comments