Hi!! I’m Hali. I am an integrative wellness expert, a certified women’s health coach, an integrative nutrition coach, a lactation education counselor, and a yoga & barre fitness instructor. I help busy, overwhelmed women struggling with their hormones, fertility, and the postpartum period. To…
FAQs:
What is Post Birth Control Syndrome?
Post-birth control syndrome (PBCS) is a term some alternative medicine providers use for symptoms that can occur after stopping hormonal birth control. These often last weeks, sometimes months, and include acne, no menstrual periods, hair loss, and anxiety. Post-birth control syndrome refers to the irregular periods and other symptoms that some people get in the months after they stop using hormonal contraceptives. This includes birth control pills, the mini-pill, intrauterine devices (IUDs), injections, patches, and implants.
Why Does Post Birth Control Syndrome Happen?
This umbrella of symptoms manifests as a result of the detoxification process from synthetic hormones. Those who have more difficulty usually have difficulty detoxing and need detox and drainage support from a trained practitioner. The body detoxes through sweating, peeing, and pooping. So it’s important to make sure that one is supporting these bodily functions.
This withdrawal from synthetic hormones can also result in a surge of androgens (male hormones) which can cause acne, male pattern baldness, hair where it doesn’t belong, and irritability and mood swings.
To make matters worse, since you haven't ovulated or had a period all these years while taking hormonal birth control ( this is because hormonal birth control shuts down ovulation, so you've just been having a "withdrawal bleed" or "pill bleed") you've been robbed from making the hormone progesterone.
Progesterone nourishes our hair and nails by reducing androgens (male hormones), as well as boosts energy by stimulating the thyroid and the metabolism. Recent research has found that women who don’t ovulate experience bone loss at a faster rate than women who do ovulate, so progesterone is also a crucial component of preventing osteoporosis. And since you haven't been ovulating while taking hormonal birth control, it might take some time before your body starts ovulating and menstruating again. Research shows that it takes an average of 6 menstrual cycles for ovulation to restore.
Is Post Birth Control Syndrome Real?
Absolutely. Many women struggle in some way when they discontinue hormonal birth control. These drugs are designed to shut down your entire reproductive system. They stop your brain from talking to your ovaries and prevent ovulation, which is a perfect thing if you're trying not to get pregnant. The trouble is, there's a lot we don't know about long-term suppression of the reproductive system. Just because we've been doing it as common practice doesn't mean we completely understand all the nuances of this treatment.
There is also evidence showing that side effects that begin while on birth control don't just go away when you stop—things like low libido, anxiety, depression, gut symptoms, autoimmune disease, and inflammation.
It is well documented that birth control leads to nutrient depletions—something we've documented since the 1970s. And there is a known association with mood symptoms that women have reported for generations. The more concerning side effects like cancer, blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks are much rare, but not always discussed. Women around the world have complained of post-birth control syndrome symptoms since the introduction of hormonal birth control, but sadly, they are told there is no relationship to birth control and this is just their new normal.
If you're a woman who has ever taken the pill, had a hormonal IUD, placed a patch, inserted the nuvaring, been given the shot, or has had an implant please keep reading. These hormones can take a serious toll on some women's bodies and any woman who has ever used hormonal birth control needs some level of support to address her body's needs. Clinically, women do not heal from their symptoms unless addressing the systems most affected.
How Long Does Post Birth Control Syndrome Last?
Most forms of hormonal birth control, including oral contraceptives, leave your system around two to three days after you stop taking the medication. The injection can take longer, usually lasting around eight months to a year. However, just because the hormones have left your body does not mean everything will return to normal.
For many forms of contraception, it can take a woman around three to six months to resume normal ovulation and menstrual cycles. Because the injection provides months of protection with just one dose, meaning it is stronger, its effects on your cycles can last up to a year and a half.
How long it takes for birth control to clear out of your system can depend on a few different factors. Age is one of them. As you get older and your metabolism slows down, it may take your body longer to clear out any remaining hormones. Certain medications can also affect birth control, making them clear out faster or slower. Some women regain regular cycles and ovulation within four weeks, meaning you can get pregnant right away. For others, the process can be slow and uncomfortable, as in the case of post-birth control syndrome.
Can All Types of Hormonal Birth Control Lead to PBCS?
The short answer is, yes. There may be varying degrees of PBCS with different types of birth control, but they all have the potential to disrupt the natural state of your systems leading to symptoms. The combination birth control that is found in most oral contraceptive pills (combination pills), inserts like nuvaring, or the patch has both synthetic estrogen as well as progestin (the synthetic version of progestin).
These may cause worse symptoms, especially when it comes to dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria), gut health, and immunity as estrogen has a very close relationship with the microbiome. Other forms of progestin-only birth control such as the mini pill, IUD, depo shot, and implant may also disrupt systems that lead to PBCS.
Progestin-only contraceptives suppress ovulation but not consistently, and are also introducing endocrine disruptors into your system, regardless of the hormonal birth control you are or have been on can have a significant risk of PBCS.
Can Coming Off the Pill Affect Mental Health?
There is growing evidence the hormones in the pill can bring on or worsen depression for some women, and is one of the most common reasons for stopping the pill. However, for women who experience depressive symptoms in the week leading up to their period (a condition known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder) taking the pill stabilises the mood and works as an antidepressant. It goes without saying then that women coming off the pill can see changes to their mood or anxiety levels, and it’s good to keep your mental health care provider in the loop.
Do You Gain Weight When You Get Off Birth Control?
Chances are, stopping hormonal birth control isn’t the direct cause of weight gain you may experience after you stop using it. Sometimes weight loss is listed as a side effect of taking various hormonal birth control methods (and you should always consult the product information and talk to your doctor to be sure). However, for most people, birth control does not cause weight loss and therefore it’s unlikely you will gain weight as a result of stopping it. Of course, if you change your routine in other ways, you may notice weight gain, and everyone handles hormonal changes differently.
Signs and Symptoms of Post Birth Control Syndrome
Post Birth Control Syndrome is the series of symptoms that often arise within the 3-6 months after stopping hormonal birth control. Although symptoms may begin quickly after getting off birth control, many women will gradually experience more symptoms in the months following.
Post Birth Control Syndrome can present itself as a mixture of different symptoms such as
1. Post pill amenorrhea (loss of menstruation)
2. Heavy or painful menstruation
3. Infertility
4. Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
5. Mood disorders
6. Anxiety
7. Depression
8. Brain fog
9. Lack of desire or motivation
10. Mood swings
11. Irritability
12. Digestive issues
13. Leaky gut
14. Dysbiosis
15. Inflammation
16. Immune issues
17. Acne, rosacea, or other skin concerns
18. Hair loss or odd hair growth
19. Breast tenderness
20. Headaches and migraines
21. Fatigue
22. Insomnia
23. Blood sugar dysregulation
24. Hypothyroidism
25. Adrenal dysfunction
26. Excess androgens & post pill PCOS
Causes Of Post-Birth-Control Syndrome
Healthcare professionals aren’t entirely sure why some women experience symptoms after stopping hormonal birth control. More than likely, it’s due to your body adjusting to changing hormone levels.
Hormonal forms of birth control include:
1. The pill
2. Hormonal IUDs
3. Contraceptive implants
4. Skin patches
5. Vaginal rings
6. Hormone injections
Hormonal forms of birth control may provide a combination of estrogen and progestin, or they may provide progestin-only. When you stop taking these forms of birth control, your hormone levels change suddenly, which may trigger symptoms.
4 Reasons Why Post Birth Control Syndrome Happens
PBCS is believed to occur because hormonal birth control alters the body's natural hormone levels and suppresses ovulation. When a woman stops using hormonal birth control, it can take time for her natural hormone levels to return to normal, which can lead to the symptoms associated with PBCS. Here are the reasons why PBCS happens:
1. Suppresses ovulation: Hormonal birth control methods release synthetic hormones, which prevent the release of an egg from the ovaries. When you stop birth control, natural hormones start to fluctuate, causing unwanted symptoms.
2. Liver overload: Anything that overburdens the liver gets stored (including hormonal medications), and this leads to a tipping point. The liver can’t work as efficiently and symptoms develop.
3. Masking underlying symptoms: If you had any symptoms of hormonal imbalance before starting birth control, then once you stop, those symptoms likely return. Due to the hormonal rebound effect, often they are more severe than before you started.
4. Insulin resistance: The liver is involved in regulating blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. When the liver becomes insulin resistant, it struggles to regulate blood sugar levels, which contributes to weight gain, a common symptom of PBCS.
Post Birth Control Syndrome Treatment
Instead of considering the symptoms as a syndrome, it would be more effective if each symptom is treated specifically while the body readapts after one discontinues taking birth control. Post-birth control syndrome can be managed in the following ways:
1. Initially, any hormonal imbalances will be checked by the physician through a blood test. Based on this, one will be suggested to follow certain lifestyle changes or may be referred to a nutritionist.
2. Over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen and Tylenol can be taken for menstrual cramps and headaches.
3. Hot or cold compresses can be used for tender breasts.
4. One must consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables along with healthy fats from nuts, olive oil, seeds, and avocado.
5. Stress reduction techniques like breathwork, yoga, mindfulness meditation, and so on can be followed to maintain mood balance and prevent mood swings.
6. If one is worried about weight gain after discontinuing hormonal birth control, then one can make lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy weight by eating a balanced, nutritious diet. Engaging in regular physical activity will also help.
7. Specific symptoms will be treated with specific treatment methods. For instance, acne will be treated using prescription-strength medications.
8. A few research show that certain oral contraceptives may lower the levels of certain vital nutrients in the body like magnesium, folic acid, zinc, selenium, and vitamins B2, B6, B12, C A, and E. So, one can obtain these nutrients either through diet or through supplements which can help reduce the symptoms of post-birth control syndrome. Further research is necessary to know if taking nutritional supplements is beneficial while taking hormonal birth control.
9. One must sleep sufficiently each night. Nighttime light exposure by viewing mobile screens, television, and so on should be avoided. Also, one must spend sufficient time in the sunlight during the daytime.
Vitamins and Supplements to Manage Post Birth Control Syndrome
It is recommended that you get vitamins and minerals from food first, but it can be difficult to ensure that you are getting what need and in the form that is best-absorbed. In that case, we turn to supplementation. The following can be helpful to the restoration of nutrients once your levels have been evaluated by a health professional:
1. Methyl Folate
Our natural detoxification processes require ample amounts of B-vitamins; therefore they are one of the top nutrient priorities for anyone coming off of the BCP. Folate, or B9, is especially important if you have come off of the pill with the desire to become pregnant, as folate is absolutely essential to fetal development, specifically brain and neural tube formation. Many foods are now fortified with folic acid, the more stable form of B9, in acknowledgement of the dangerous impacts of folate deficiency.
2. Methylated B-Complex
B-vitamins are an incredibly important component to energy production, metabolic functioning and the nervous system. Methylated B-vitamins are more bioavailable than non-methylated vitamins, meaning they are more readily able to be absorbed and used by the body, namely the liver in this instance, at a faster rate than vitamins that are not in that form and would require that additional step once by the liver once ingested.
3. Zinc Picolinate
Zinc is essential to a wide range of bodily processes, including immune function, synthesis of DNA and transcription of RNA, cell division, and the prevention of cell death. Deficiency due to depletion can be incredibly detrimental, especially to immune function.
4. Magnesium Glycinate
Magnesium is a mineral that is incredibly important to heart health, nervous system and musculoskeletal system regulation, body temperature, and protein synthesis. It is used in over 300 different biochemical reactions in our body, and is a necessary cofactor in the liver’s detoxification pathways, which is what is necessary for proper elimination of excess hormones and toxicants within the body.
5. Selenium
We only require a trace amount of Selenium each day through our nutrient intake or else through supplementation, but that does not men that it is not essential for a room transition during this hormonal rebalancing phase. Selenium helps with the normal functioning of our metabolism, is crucial to our thyroid function and is an antioxidant, meaning that is fights the buildup of harmful, pro-aging free radicals and other toxicants within our bodies
6. Liver Support
There are various nutrients and herbs that help assist the liver in functioning optimally, and depending upon the patients exact needs and presenting condition, there are a variety of products that can be used to aid in the detoxification process and promote the health of liver cells, or hepatocyte functioning.
7. Glutamine
Glutamine is an amino acid that acts as food/fuel for the intestinal cells, also referred to as the colonocytes. It also helps to fight inflammation within the gut which is often linked as a side-effect of prolonged birth control usage.
8. Probiotic
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the most common and beneficial bacterial strains in your intestinal tract, as well as in your vaginal tract. In the spirit of “two birds one stone” you want to find a probiotic that contains ample amounts of both with no less than 25billion CFUs per capsule.
9. Saw Palmetto, Pygeum, and Nettles
All can help prevent excessive buildup of androgens by targeting androgenic metabolism.
10. Red Raspberry
Fabulous source of gynecologically-specific antioxidants which can help with inflammation throughout the body. Also may help with blood flow to the uterus, helping alleviate cramps, soothe uterine contractions, decrease cystic formation and fibroid size and support healthy pregnancy.
11. Chaste Tree Berry / Vitex
Can help normalize and regulate ovulation, thereby bringing mensuration into “normal” 28-30 day timeframe.
When to See a Doctor for Post Birth Control Syndrome
One must consult a doctor in the following circumstances:
1. Having bothersome symptoms or if one is concerned in any other way.
2. Absence of periods (menstrual cycle) within six months of discontinuing birth control.
3. Those who would like to get pregnant and have not had their period for about three months.
4. Any impact on one’s life that demands the need for professional help has to be addressed.
Reasons to See A Naturopathic Doctor For Post-Birth Control Syndrome
Here are the top reasons why you should seek out a naturopathic doctor for PBCS:
1. Address the root cause: Let’s get to the real cause you’re struggling. No more bandaids like acne or headache medication, or fertility treatments.
2. Individualized treatment: We take a patient-centered approach to treatment, meaning they will create a personalized treatment plan based on your unique needs and goals.
3. Natural options: We include herbal supplements, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications that will get you back to vibrant health.
4. Comprehensive approach: We look at the whole person, considering not just the physical needs but also emotional and mental health.
5. Safety: We prioritize your safety. We work to minimize side effects and avoid interactions with other medications or treatments.
6. Collaboration with other healthcare providers: We work in collaboration with other healthcare providers, such as primary care doctors and reproductive endocrinologists, to provide comprehensive care and ensure the best outcome for you.
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