The Oral Contraceptive Pill - Does it mask 'who we really are?'
I get asked this……. a lot. Like, every week!
“If taking the oral contraceptive pill suppresses my ‘real hormones’ does that in effect means that it suppress the real me?”
I hear phrases such as “I feel like everything is just dull” to “I am constantly moody and my PMS is worse than ever before” and even “I went on the pill to avoid mood swings and while it has helped, my skin has broken out and I get constant headaches as a trade-off”.
What disappoints me the most is how many of us are being told that going on the pill will ‘regulate our periods’.
So, I am going to bust some myths and set a few records straight. You deserve to know how the contraceptive pill works and to ask yourself - am I really who I am while on the pill?
Female Hormonal Physiology 101: How does the pill work?
Estradiol and progesterone are your two ovarian hormones which are produced for the purpose of reproduction, linked to our thyroid function and play a crucial role in metabolism and our moods (Briden, 2018). When taking the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) you are ingesting steroid drugs which contain ethinylestradiol, drosperenone, levenorgestrel and others. They are NOT human hormones, but rather chemical messengers or pseudo-hormones (Briden, 2018).
The most commonly used is levenorgestrel which is incorporated in the Mirena IUD, the morning after pill and the OCP. It is a progestin and similar to the hormone progesterone. It works by thinning the uterine lining and suppresses ovulation. Progesterone (our own physiological hormone) improves cognition and our brain health. Progestin on the other hand has been linked to depression and anxiety (Briden, 2018). Whilst progesterone benefits human hair health and promoting growth, it is the opposite for levonorgestrel, due to its similarity to the male hormone Testosterone, and therefore, hair loss can occur.
How does the pill balance your hormones? Does it preserve your fertility?
In 2 words: It doesn’t. It suppresses the production of your own physiological hormones. It cannot balance what is not being produced. Taking the OCP does not preserve your fertility by saving your ‘eggs’ - in fact, there is a belief that it can delay menopause. Taking the OCP may even bring on menopause earlier (Briden, 2018).
Does the body think it is pregnant? Is that why you don’t ovulate?
No it doesn’t. The pseudo-hormone drugs which are in the OCP are NOT the same as the hormones produced by the body during pregnancy. Synthetic hormones shut down the process of ovulation. They do not have the same effects as the pregnancy hormones hcg, estradiol and progesterone.
The difference between the combined pill and the mini-pill:
The combination OCP contains two synthetic hormones: ethinylestradiol and progestin such as levonorgestrel. Each unique brand of OCP contains the same synthetic hormones, BUT they are branded according to the amount of estrogen and type of progestin (Briden, 2018).
The mini-pill means that this pill contains only one drug not two like the combination pill. The mini pill contains progestin and does NOT primarily work to suppress ovulation but rather, works to thin the uterine lining and impair cervical mucus (fluid) to make it inhospitable for sperm to survive. In some cycles, it can suppress ovulation. It is was thought that because it only contained the one hormone, progestin, less side effects would occur. However, in 1956, the first pill was tested and there were so many reported side effects that they added estrogen to make the pill more tolerable to take! The mini pill is known to cause irregular bleeding patterns - which are not true menstruation bleeds, but rather, anovulatory cycles (no ovulation has occurred) or ‘breakthrough bleeds’ when the body has not been exposed to progesterone (Briden, 2018).
Do we need a period?
Dr Aviva Romm M.D describes female’s menstrual cycles as our ‘sixth vital sign’. The menstrual cycle is the window into health and wellbeing of females and changes in our cycles that occur can alert us to the fact that something is amiss. The OCP has been well researched with many disheartening results being published about the effect it has on our overall health and wellbeing. For example:
Affects our sexual desire (and possibly even our mate selection!)
As the pill prevents ovulation it prevents the mid-cycle surge of energy or creative flow that has been found to exist in those with regular, healthy menstrual cycles
Creates bloating, sore breasts, headaches/migraines, acne breakouts, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety (including panic attacks) and increased PMS
Hair loss, weight gain and a deficiency in folic acid, vitamins B2, B6, B12, vitamin C and E and the minerals magnesium, selenium and zinc https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23852908/
What if I have been prescribed the pill because I had all the above side-effects in the first place?
It is likely that taking the OCP will help with the troubling effects of your menstrual cycle, which at times can be debilitating for some. While it may halt or prevent these effects, as soon as you stop taking the OCP, they are likely to still be there and can sometimes even be worse for a few months post-pill. Remember, they do not cure or resolve the underlying issues, they simply stop occurring whilst you are ingesting synthetic hormones.
What if I choose to use contraception - what are my best options/alternatives?
IUD: Copper or Mirena IUD. Most find that with a copper IUD they suffer from heavy and or irregular bleeding. The Mirena seems (in majority of people) to be better tolerated, however side effects such as headaches, skin breakouts and mood disorders have been reported and this is due to the progestin levonorgestrel. Learn more here: https://www.familyplanning.org.nz/
Natural Fertility - Sympto-thermal method. By learning your unique signs of fertility, you can choose to abstain or use a barrier method during your fertile phase. During your non-fertile phase of your cycle, you can enjoy unprotected intercourse without the fear of pregnancy occurring. When taught by an accredited educator, the effectiveness is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. Learn more here: https://www.naturalfertility.co.nz/home/avoid-pregnancy/information-on-avoiding-pregnancy/
So, essentially you can ask yourself if the OCP can halt the production of hormones, can it also suppress who we actually are? If we suppress our moods and improve our acne - for sure, this is a bonus, but really what else is it suppressing and is this healthy short term? Long term? If our moods are affected and our uptake of vitamins and minerals are not as optimal or absorbed as well due to the OCP - then how REALLY are we feeling? Add in stressful careers, children, a pandemic and it is no wonder we aren’t living with optimal reproductive cycles or have the ability to tune in. Could it be time to find out just who you really are when you are not taking the pill? I invite you to find out for yourself.
Further supportive measures for hormonal health:
Registered Naturopaths, Homeopaths, Nutritionists, Natural Fertility Educators
Registered Acupuncturists, Reiki practitioners
Yoga, mindfulness, breath work
Highly recommended books to read:
Lara Briden - Period Repair Manual - Every Woman’s Guide to Better Periods
Aviva Romm M.D - Hormone Intelligence: The complete guide to calming hormone chaos and restoring your body’s natural blueprint for wellbeing.
Further Resources:
Family Planning NZ: https://www.familyplanning.org.nz/
Natural Fertility NZ: https://www.naturalfertility.co.nz/about/
References
Briden, L. (2018). Period Repair Manual: Every Woman’s Guide To Better Periods. MacMillan.
Romm, A. (2021). Hormone Intelligence: The complete guide to calming hormone chaos and restoring your body’s natural blueprint for well-being. Harper Collins.
