Hormone Myth #1: Synthetic birth control is safe long-term.
Hormones play so many crucial roles in many bodily functions, from regulating mood to maintaining bone density.
Unfortunately, many myths and misunderstandings about hormones persist, often leading people to make misinformed decisions about their health.
So in the next few articles, let’s debunk 4 common hormone myths, starting with…
Myth 1: Birth Control Doesn’t Mess with Your Health
Surprise! Contrary to popular belief, birth control methods do mess with your hormones—sometimes in ways you might not expect.
Take "the pill" and MOST hormonal IUDs, for example:
They contain synthetic, unnatural forms of progesterone called “progestins.”
THEY ARE NOT THE SAME AS THE PROGESTERONE YOUR BODY PRODUCES. THIS IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
Progesterone vs. Progestin: What’s the Difference?
Conventional doctors almost always prescribe progestin-containing hormones, not bio-identical progesterone. (Something most hormone experts hope and pray will soon be a thing of the past!)
Progesterone is the natural hormone produced by the body, playing an essential role in regulating mood, sleep, joint health and much more.
On the other hand, progestin is a synthetic form that was developed to have the same effects as natural progesterone in your uterus, but not in other parts of your body.
This difference is critical!
So while both are effective as birth control, progestins do NOT serve all of the functions of progesterone in the rest of your body...
You have progesterone-responsive cells literally ALL over your body (brain, liver, heart, kidneys, stomach, small intestine, colon, urinary bladder, lungs, adrenal glands, skin…) and you need them to do a LOT of important things in those places, which they can only do with natural progesterone to stimulate them.
Without those functions (ie. with synthetic progestins), women can suffer a wide array of symptoms.
And, in certain populations - like those with endometriosis - progesterone can help alleviate symptoms, but progestin can worsen them.
How does progestin affect my hormones?
Progestins can throw your natural hormone balance into chaos by reducing the amount of natural progesterone your body produces.
Some also have “anti-androgenic” effects, meaning they reduce the amount of androgens - like testosterone - you produce.
Reducing the amount of natural progesterone your body produces can seriously mess with your mood, cause anxiety, weight gain and turn your sleep schedule into a disaster zone. 🫣
Why?
Because progesterone is your body’s natural chill pill, keeping you calm, emotionally steady and helping you sleep through the night. When you don’t produce enough, estrogen becomes the dominant influence (“estrogen dominance”), and let’s just say, things can get... emotional.
The key to staying sane—both physically and mentally—is a healthy balance of estrogen and progesterone.
Healthy hormone balance is not just about taking the right hormones, but supporting your body’s ability to use hormones properly, whether you take them supplementally or rely on your own.
What’s missing in the HRT conversation / doctor’s offices
However you get your hormones - whether supplemental hormones or natural - it’s important to support them to work well for you through a hormone-healthy lifestyle…
Especially in perimenopause, when we have less robust hormone levels.
For example, take nutrition in the context of birth control…
These medications don’t just mess with hormones—they can also cause imbalances or deficiencies in vital nutrients like B6, B12, zinc, and copper. EEK! I see low B12 a LOT in my clients.
So, if you take birth control, taking steps to prevent nutritional deficiencies is one aspect of a hormone-healthy lifestyle.
Plus, since every woman is different in the ways her body processes hormones - natural or supplemental - some women need support with processing estrogen to reduce risk of breast or uterine cancers if she is genetically predisposed.
So you can see how a personalized approach is essential when managing hormones, including birth control-related hormone imbalances.
A one-size-fits-all is definitely not the answer, and I always advise seeing a properly female hormone-trained provider (not just any GP) to navigate these choices.
If you want my help, I’m here for you. I will work alongside your doctor to ensure you get the care you need to thrive. Book a free call to see if we're a fit to work together here.
If you enjoyed this content, sign up my newsletter and please let me know - shoot me a message or leave a comment.
Or, check out The Better Beyond 40 Formula.
❤️
