The Birth Control Pill Won’t Fix It
For decades, the birth control pill has become the default “solution” for almost every hormonal or cycle-related challenge a woman can face. Irregular cycles? Pill. Heavy bleeding? Pill. Acne? Painful periods? PCOS? Endometriosis? Pill, pill, pill. It’s prescribed so frequently and casually that it can often feel like there is just no other option.
But let’s get things straight: Originally, the sole purpose of the birth control pill was to prevent pregnancies. In medicine, we call this the intended use, the purpose for which a drug or treatment is designed and approved. Therefore, everything other than preventing pregnancy is not the intended use of the pill. Hormonal contraceptives (aka the pill) do not fix or treat the root cause of hormonal imbalances, cycle irregularities, infertility, or any of the symptoms I previously mentioned.
What the pill does is mask symptoms. It can provide temporary relief, but the factors that caused those symptoms to begin with will remain there, lingering beneath the surface. And sooner or later, when you stop the pill, they will likely come back—and sometimes worse than before.
Symptoms like irregular periods, infertility, acne, or pelvic pain aren’t random. They’re your body’s way of waving a red flag and saying, “Hey, something needs attention here!” Masking those signals with synthetic hormones is like turning off a smoke alarm without investigating the fire.
This analogy captures it perfectly:
“Giving birth control pills and other medications to women to regulate their periods, improve their fertility, or enhance their sex drive is akin to putting a piece of tape over the flashing indicator light on the dashboard of your car and pretending you have addressed the engine problem rather than looking under the hood and dealing with the underlying issue.”
I want to believe you would never do that to your car, and I hope that after reading this you will never do it to your body either.
It’s time to rethink how we approach hormonal health. Your body doesn’t need silencing—it needs support, understanding, and care.
I Am Not Against the Birth Control Pill
You read that right—I am not against the pill. What I am against is its misuse and overprescription.
I take issue when:
It’s prescribed unnecessarily, masking hormonal or cycle-related problems instead of addressing their root cause.
It’s handed out like candy for anything and everything, without proper investigation or care. You deserve better.
It’s given without a thorough explanation of what it does—and what it doesn’t do.
It’s used for reasons other than preventing pregnancy, without exploring safer, more sustainable options of treatment.
If you’ve chosen to take the birth control pill to prevent an unwanted pregnancy—after being properly informed and fully educated about its side effects, long-term consequences, and natural alternatives—then I deeply respect your decision. It’s your body, your choice, and you have every right to do what feels best for you.
The problem is, that’s often not what happens. Far too many women are prescribed the pill without understanding how it works, its potential impact, or what other options might be available. Worse, many are taking it for reasons entirely unrelated to contraception.
That’s why I wrote this article: to empower you with knowledge, to help you take back control of your health, your fertility, and your medical decisions. You deserve the tools to make informed, confident choices—and that starts with understanding the bigger picture.
What the Birth Control Pill Actually Does
The pill works by overriding your natural hormonal rhythms with synthetic hormones. It prevents ovulation, alters your cervical mucus, and thins the uterine lining—all measures designed to prevent pregnancy. But when it’s used to “treat” hormonal imbalances or cycle problems, it’s a band-aid, not a solution.
Mechanism of action of hormonal contraceptives. https://www.invitra.com/en/
Let’s break this down further and look at what the pill actually does in each of these common cases:
Irregular Cycles
Have you ever been prescribed the pill to “regulate” your cycle? You’re not alone—this is one of the most common reasons women are put on the pill. But here’s the thing: the “period” you get on the pill isn’t a real period. It’s what we call a withdrawal bleed caused by the break from synthetic hormones. Your body isn’t ovulating, and without ovulation, there is no menstruation! So yes, your bleed is now regular. But it’s an artificial bleed, it is not your actual period.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, you’ve probably been offered the pill as a first-line treatment. While it can suppress symptoms like acne or excess hair growth by reducing androgens, it doesn’t address the underlying causes, such as insulin resistance, inflammation, or hormonal dysregulation. These root issues still need to be dealt with for true, sustainable healing. Plus, remember that PCOS frequently goes hand in hand with anovulatory and irregular cycles. If motherhood is in your future plans, you will want to restore ovulation as soon as possible.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it. The pill is often prescribed to lessen pain, and many times it works! But the pain from endometriosis is driven by inflammation and immune dysfunction—issues that the pill cannot resolve. Do you know what can? Diet and lifestyle changes. You may have less pain on the pill, but unless the underlying cause is addressed, you still have endometriosis. So, while hormonal contraceptives may give you back some quality of life, it is crucial that you treat the root of the problem at the same time!
Acne
Hormonal acne can be incredibly frustrating, and the pill is often promoted as the “cure.” While synthetic hormones can reduce androgens temporarily, they don’t fix the root causes (You start to see the pattern here?) We should be asking ourselves what is making those androgens be higher than they should. Could be tied to gut health? Insulin resistance? Chronic stress or adrenal function? Once the origin of the problem is identified, then we can actually, truly fix it.
Heavy or Painful Periods
If your periods are so heavy or painful that they disrupt your life, I see you—and I’ve been there. Since the pill blocks your cycle altogether, your bleeding will likely be lighter and the pain will likely lessen. But since it doesn’t address what’s causing that heavy bleeding or pain in the first place (which could be anything from an easy fix to a serious problem) it is not a very efficient long-term solution. Instead, evaluate whether your symptoms could be due to inflammation, hormonal imbalance, structural issues, or an underlying condition like endometriosis.
In short, for most of these cases, the reason why the pill “works” to rid you of your symptoms is because it turns of your entire HPO axis - it turns off your cycle!
I explain it to my patients with this simple analogy:
Imagine your refrigerator light is not working.
It keeps turning off and on and it is really annoying you. There are two routes you can take… you can call an expert in refrigerators to come fix it or you can just unplug the whole thing.
If you call an expert, it might take time, effort, money to resolve the issue, but you will be able to continue using it eventually.
If you unplug it, you can quickly forget about the light. BUT, don’t expect the refrigerator to cool anything. When you need to use it, you’ll have to plug it in again, and unless some electrical miracle happened, the most likely scenario is that the light will still be broken - because you never fixed it in the first place!
The Long-Term Impact of the Pill
For many women, the pill provides a temporary sense of control or relief. And for some, it’s a tool that serves a purpose for a season of life (ie: pain relief for an endometriosis patient while she makes the necessary lifestyle changes to lower inflammation, get off the pill, and manage her symptoms naturally). But, sooner or later, whether it be to try to get pregnant or to simply become more in tune with the natural rhythm of our bodies, we will want to get off oral contraceptives. So the question arises, what happens when you decide to stop taking it?
In my work, I’ve seen countless women experience a rebound effect after coming off the pill, also known as Post-Birth Control Syndrome:
Acne that flares worse than ever.
Irregular cycles that feel chaotic.
Hormonal imbalances that seem amplified.
Difficulty getting pregnant, missing periods, or anovulation (when you don’t ovulate)
In short, the same symptoms that drove them to take the pill in the first place make a return.
Of course, they do! The refrigerator is still broken, you just unplugged it! The imbalances behind your symptoms are still there because they were never properly resolved.
Wouldn’t it be better if we dealt with the root causes in the first place?
Aside from your original symptoms returning, hormonal contraceptives can also have long-term effects on:
Nutrient Levels
The pill depletes critical nutrients such as magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins. Nutrient deficiencies can, in turn, cause their own host of issues. For instance, magnesium deficiency can lead to symptoms like muscle cramps, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, while low levels of B vitamins might contribute to mood changes, irritability, or even anemia. If you are already taking the pill, I highly suggest that you work with a hormonal health and nutrition specialist to counter these negative effects.
Gut Health
Did you know that the pill can disrupt your gut microbiome? This disruption isn’t just about digestion—it can ripple into mood and immune function as well. For example, shifts in gut bacteria have been linked to mental health issues like anxiety and depression due to the gut-brain connection. Similarly, a compromised microbiota can weaken immune defenses, increasing susceptibility to infections and inflammatory conditions (hello endometriosis and menstrual pain). Countless studies have shown the vast impact that our microbiome has on our entire health and its importance cannot be overestimated.
Liver Detoxification
Your liver is a powerhouse. Among many, many other functions, it works hard to process synthetic hormones from the pill, which places an extra burden on its detoxification pathways. In order to properly metabolize these hormones, they need to be converted from their fat-soluble form into a water-soluble form that can be excreted. This process demands increased use of nutrients like glutathione and B vitamins (remember these are already being depleted by the pill as well!). Over time, this added strain can affect the liver's capacity to detoxify other substances, potentially contributing to a buildup of toxins or hormonal imbalances. It’s complex, but basically taking synthetic hormones like oral contraceptives overwork the liver. And just like when you burn out at work you may start dropping balls, the same thing happens with the liver (the only difference is that the liver’s “balls” are aspects of your health, not emails).
Ovulation and Fertility
Years of ovulation suppression can make it harder for your body to “remember” how to ovulate when you come off the pill. Ovulation is a key sign of hormonal health, and restoring it can take intentional holistic care and time (which we don’t always have thanks to the biological clock that ticks away our chances of a healthy pregnancy).
Addressing the Root Causes of Hormonal Imbalances
In my practice, from a functional medicine perspective, rather than suppressing symptoms, I want to focus on uncovering their root causes. Where are these symptoms coming from? What are they trying to tell us? Remember, your body isn’t broken—it’s just asking for support.
If your symptoms point to a hormonal imbalance, instead of automatically relying on the pill, here are the steps I would take with you to resolve it.
1. Investigate the Root Cause
Explore:
Blood sugar balance (insulin resistance can wreak havoc on hormones).
Gut health and inflammation (intestinal dysbiosis and the state of your microbiota is often behind these issues).
Liver function (your liver is a pretty incredible and vital organ, but you need to help it help you)
Thyroid and adrenal function (hello chronic stress).
Nutrient deficiencies (all of the above can hinder your body’s ability to properly absorb vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients essential for correct endocrine function).
Once the root cause, or causes, have been identified, then we can start to design an individualized protocol to bring it all back into balance. Since nothing in the body acts in isolation, the approach must include all aspects of your life - not just those that seem directly related to your symptoms.
2. Support Your Body with Lifestyle Changes
The way you nourish your body matters deeply - always. But if you are on the pill, which as I just mentioned, can affect the way your body processes food, absorbs nutrients, and the composition of your microbiota, being mindful of your diet becomes even more pertinent.
Here are some quick tips for you to follow, regardless of what your root cause or symptoms are, to nourish your cycle. For a more detailed guide, check out my free Cyclical Nutrition Guide.
Diet
Focus on real, whole, unprocessed foods.
Incorporate healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds (consider seed cycling!), and extra virgin olive oil to support hormone production.
Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower) and dark leafy greens to support detoxification.
Stay hydrated—your body needs water to aid liver function and flush out excess hormones.
Movement
Exercise in sync with your cycle. Women are cyclical, dynamic beings. Your movement habits should be too. For example, take advantage of the rise in estrogen and try high-energy workouts during your follicular phase, leaving more gentle activities like yoga or walking for your luteal phase when progesterone is the main protagonist.
Stress Management
We’ve made it clear: chronic stress disrupts your hormonal balance. Incorporate mindfulness practices like yin yoga, guided meditation, or breathwork to keep cortisol in check.
3. Track Your Cycle with the Symptothermal Method
Discover the power of understanding your body through the Symptothermal Method. By tracking basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and other natural signs, you can gain invaluable insights into your health and fertility. Note that if you're on birth control pills, this method may not be accurate, as your natural hormones are being suppressed. For those cycling naturally, this non-invasive, observational approach is the ultimate tool to:
Manage your fertility – Whether you're trying to conceive (TTC) or avoid pregnancy (TTA), this method provides clarity and control.
Deepen your connection with your menstrual cycle – Learn to interpret your body's natural rhythms and what is normal for you.
Spot hormonal imbalances and dysfunctions early – Identify issues even before noticeable symptoms appear.
Address hormonal and fertility challenges at their root – Avoid years of waiting for a diagnosis or relying on unnecessary medications.
Powerful, isn’t it? Almost a decade ago, this method completely transformed my life—and now I’m passionate about helping others experience the same empowerment. That is why I created the Vital program.
In Vital, I teach you everything you need to know to confidently track your cycle, take control of your fertility, and recognize hormonal imbalances so you can live in harmony with your natural essence. If you need further convincing that careful observations and correct interpretations of your cyclical signs can offer immensely valuable information about your overall health, let me share just a few examples of what your graphs can tell you:
Consistently low temperatures during the luteal phase might signal thyroid dysfunction.
An erratic cycle could point to adrenal fatigue.
An abnormal cervical mucus pattern could be a manifestation of PCOS.
The Symptothermal Method isn’t just about tracking—it’s about understanding your body and taking charge of your health and fertility, naturally.
Getting Practical…
Whether you are trying to balance your hormones without hormonal contraceptives, are already taking the pill, or want to get off of it, here are some practical steps you can take to nourish your cycle in each scenario.
If you want to stay away from the pill…
5 Steps to Achieve Hormonal Balance Without the Pill
Prioritize a nutrient-dense diet – Include healthy fats (avocados, extra virgin olive oil, nuts) and protein (especially if rich in Omega 3s) to support hormone production.
Optimize sleep – Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep to regulate cortisol and melatonin, both of which influence reproductive hormones.
Support your gut health – Eat fermented foods (like kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, or yogurt) and consider a high-quality probiotic to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Incorporate stress management practices – Try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing to reduce cortisol, which can disrupt hormonal balance and affect fertility.
Track your cycle naturally – Use methods like the Symptothermal Method to monitor your body’s rhythms and understand potential imbalances.
If you are already on the pill…
5 Tips to Counterbalance the Negative Effects of the Pill
Support liver detoxification – Include cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale), lots of leafy greens, and plenty of water to help the liver process synthetic hormones.
Replenish depleted nutrients – Focus on magnesium, zinc, B vitamins (especially B6), and vitamin C, as the pill can lower these essential nutrients.
Balance your gut microbiome – The pill can disrupt gut health, so incorporate fermented foods and a quality probiotic supplement.
Reduce inflammation – Eat anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, berries, and fatty fish to counteract potential inflammatory effects.
Support adrenal health – Limit caffeine, alcohol, and excess sugar. Include daily movement, but avoid over-exercising, and nourish your body with adaptogens like ashwagandha or Rhodiola.
If you want to get off the pill…
5 Essentials for Transitioning Off the Pill
Start probiotics early – A high-quality probiotic can help restore gut balance disrupted by the pill.
Support ovulation – Once off the pill, encourage ovulation with seed cycling and cyclical nutrition.
Balance blood sugar – Eat balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats to stabilize blood sugar and prevent hormone disruptions.
Consider herbal support – Herbs like Vitex (chaste tree berry) can help regulate your cycle post-pill, but consult a professional before use.
Track your cycle – Use the Symptothermal Method to monitor when ovulation resumes (or doesn’t) and assess your hormone health.
A Holistic Approach to Hormonal Health
The pill might seem like a quick fix, but your body deserves better than a band-aid solution. By addressing root causes, making intentional lifestyle changes, and connecting with your natural rhythms, you can find real, lasting balance.
Your symptoms are not your enemy—they’re your guide. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you. It’s time to stop silencing the signals and start supporting your health from the inside out.
