Writing this feels like it was many lifetimes ago, but I hear so many similar stories about women struggling to balance their hormones and feel normal again after getting off birth control and having very little resources to help them navigate.
Our hormones and cycles are such an important part of who we are as women, and there are so many factors working against us (microplastics, hormone disruptors, fragrances, toxins in beauty products, stress, etc.)
There are definitely a lot more resources and people talking about this issue now, which is great. Of course, you should seek advice from a trusted medical professional if possible. I chose to do all the research and trial and error myself. I know there a lot of holistic and functional doctors that can help, but at the time I had no health insurance and not much to lose.
After college, I was engaged to a guy I was dating in school, and I have always known I wanted to have kids and a family. Originally, my plan was to stop taking my birth control pill after the wedding, but I just kept feeling like I should do it sooner because I thought it could take some time for my period to come back and be regular. I was on the pill for about 10 years after all.
Sidenote: I originally went on birth control to help with my acne, which I know now could have easily been prevented with just changes in diet, but this was another thing I was never told.
I went to a doctor with my concerns about being on it for so long and what to expect when stopping the pills. I was told that nothing would happen, and my period should return to normal in 2-3 months.This may be true for some women, but I felt like my whole world was turned upside down. It felt like nothing was normal for me anymore, and I didn’t even really know who I was.
My thoughts were different, my feelings were different. It was like I was turning into a new person, and it was scary. I mean, I’m a pretty healthy person, so I knew that all these symptoms I was experiencing were not right.
So, what was supposed to be a 2-3 month time frame to get my period back turned into almost 2 years, and in that time I called off my wedding, moved out on my own for the first time, and built a whole new life for myself.
I did a lot of research on cycle syncing, natural family planning, hormone imbalances, and lifestyle changes to support a healthy menstrual cycle. I will link all the resources at the end of this post. All the information felt extremely overwhelming, but little by little I made changes that supported my overall health.
My main goal was to lower my stress or cortisol levels because I knew they were high and probably have been for a long time. I started walking more and incorporating more low impact workouts and eliminating all high intensity workouts. I also started tracking my cycle even though I didn’t have a period. This helped me learn the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle, and how to eat, exercise, and even work during each phase. It also helps get your body into more of a rhythm or cycle.
I also started taking beef organ supplements, which are known to be very nutrient dense and contain a lot of vitamins and minerals – especially iron, which supports a healthy reproductive system. Along with the supplements, I focused on eating more whole foods. Adding in more vegetables and fruits to my meals as well as more animal proteins.
The birth control pill depletes the body of many critical nutrients (also never told to me by a doctor) such as Folate, B vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Magnesium and Zinc. All of these nutrients play a very important in getting pregnant as well as having a healthy pregnancy.
Now, I’m also not saying the birth control pill should be avoided, but I think it’s extremely important to be informed of how it impacts the body. I encourage you to ask questions and do your own research to find other possible solutions for either pregnancy prevention or other reasons for starting an oral contraceptive and decide what option is best for you.
I gradually started to feel healthier and more energized. I was able to build and keep muscle more easily even though it felt like I was working out less. My sleep improved, and I was sleeping 8-10 hours every night. I had to completely rebuild by sense of self and my way of living, but in hindsight this was a huge blessing and made me so much more confident in knowing myself and what my body needs.
I ended up getting pregnant about 3 months after getting my period back regularly, and I had a very healthy, enjoyable pregnancy. I was also able to recover more easily postpartum and rebalance my hormones again over time using all the resources I acquired. It is truly a miracle what our bodies go through to be able to conceive and bring a baby into this world. And in case no one has told you today, you are so powerful and strong and resilient.
*RESOURCES*
Primal Queen: beef liver supplements help balance hormones, improve sleep, increase energy, help with bloating and skin issues. These have been a game changer for me.
Ovia: The app I use to track my cycle. It’s free and a great place to start.
Flo: I have also used this app to track my cycle. There is a small monthly fee, but this app provides more information and tips to help you learn more about the phases of your cycle as well as what certain symptoms can mean.
Hormones Balance: This website has a lot of great resources for balancing hormones like articles, supplements, recipes, programs to follow.
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