I’m about to get REAL up in here. And I’m definitely a little uncomfortable talking about it, but I feel like more people should be talking about this…so here we go – I recently got off of birth control completely. You know why? No, it’s not because I’m trying to get pregnant. Definitely, definitely not. But because this past year I completely lost my sex drive (if any of my family members are reading this right now, please leave. thank you.). This is all pretty personal so it feels a little weird to share it all on the internet for anyone to read, but I digress.
For quite a while I just thought it had to do with my husband and I going through some tough times in our marriage while his job was eating him alive. But once he quit and we became the happiest we’ve ever been in our relationship, I had to face the fact that there was something else at play. Or not at play, if you will. But it didn’t make sense to me since I’m super healthy, I work out regularly, get enough sleep, and eat dense, nutritious foods. Then one day while I was out for coffee, I mentioned it to a friend and she brought up birth control and how it may have to do with it. This surprised me. Like, really surprised me. I had never heard of that, my doctor had never mentioned it, and none of my friends have ever talked about experiencing it. So then and there, I decided to get off birth control for good.
Then I went on my merry way hoping things would get back to normal in no time. Well, turns out the body often needs more help than just hope. A couple weeks back, my girlfriend Christina Rice (if you don’t already follow her, do it, she’s the best!) was in town and I told her about getting off of birth control and she quickly asked what I was doing to help my body with the transition. I said, “Uhhhhh…nothing.” She rolled her eyes and started spouting all her knowledge bombs at me, explaining how birth control depletes vitamins and minerals in the body, especially B vitamins, selenium, zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamin A. But there are also a ton of other things that can happen once you come off of birth control – loss of periods, depression, anxiety, hair loss, headaches, bowel issues, and WAY more. It’s bananas. Not only did I never know that being on birth control can cause these issues, but I definitely didn’t know coming off it could be just as crappy.
Christina was nice enough to send me a list of all the different vitamins I needed to get into my daily routine. And right away I went straight to Thrive Market to grab my vitamins. I’ve talked about Thrive Market about a million times because it’s truly one of my favorite places to shop, for almost anything! Dog treats, paleo snacks, non-toxic cleaning products and makeup, and a ton of other must-haves. Plus they have a HUGE selection of vitamins and supplements, all marked down below MSRP! I was able to pick up a Magnesium & Zinc, B Vitamins, Vitamin C, and Selenium, all between 20-36% below MSRP, and have it shipped to my doorstep in just a couple days.
In case you were like me and completely in the dark about birth control can deplete so many important vitamins and minerals in the body, here’s why some of these supplements can be beneficial when coming out of birth control –
- Magnesium & Zinc
- Magnesium – We all know magnesium is good for us. I feel like it’s talked about more than any other mineral. It’s involved in energy creation, protein formation, gene maintenance, muscle movements, nervous system regulation, and more. And it plays a role in brain function and mood which can help with depression while coming off birth control
- Zinc – This can be helpful with loss of menstruation since many birth controls can cause zinc deficiency or copper overload.
- B Complex – When your body is detoxing from the excess hormones, it needs adequate B vitamins such as B6 and B12, both of which can be depleted while on birth control. B Vitamins help with energy levels, cell health, and a crap ton of other things.
- Vitamin C – Surprise surprise, birth control also depletes Vitamin C in our bodies which is sucks since it helps protect our cells and fight against free radicals.
- Selenium – When you’re detoxing from the excess amount of hormones coming off of birth control, your liver is responsible for processing them. Selenium supports the liver, as well as the thyroid, to help process and eliminate heavy metals.
Sure, I complained for quite a long time about the size of the vitamins. I mean COME ON. Pills suck, especially ones the size of small boats. But I quickly learned that taking the vitamins with some carbonated water washes them down real quick like. It’s a game changer. Try it!
I’ve been off of birth control for over a month now and I’m happy to say things have been going very well. I’ve had some definite mood swings and cramps were a little worse than before, but I was quite happy to get my period on the same day as I thought I would. Sadly my sex drive isn’t fully back to normal (again, so awkward to talk about on here), but it’s improving. I’m a person who definitely understands that everything takes time and I don’t expect my body to be back to normal after 16 or 17 years of birth control.
I don’t know personally know many people who have had the same experience as me when it comes to birth control, but I’m hoping that sharing this story helps at least a few people out there. And I have Christina to thank for talking me into supplementation post birth control. And I can thank Thrive Market for having everything I would need to make the transition a little easier. Thrive Market makes healthy living easier and more affordable. And the more we can support Thrive Market, the more they will be able to change even more households in the US, for the better. And don’t forget, you can get 25% off your first order + free 30 day trial + free shipping when you click here! Thrive Market will help you save on groceries, beauty products, and yes vitamins and supplements!
Remember, I’m not a doctor. This is my own personal experience. Don’t forget to talk to a medical professional you TRUST. And if you have your own birth control or post-birth control experience you’d like to share, I’d love to hear it. I know it can be a little strange sharing it over the internet, but those stories can impact people in such positive ways! I’d especially love to hear any vitamins and minerals that you’ve added into your own daily life to help you thrive. I’m really excited to feel like I have my body back. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on the progress!
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This post is brought to you by Thrive Market. It contains some affiliate links and I may be compensated for this post, but all opinions are my own. This compensation helps with expenses to keep this blog up and running! Thank you for all your support!
Thank you sooo much for sharing! I was on birth control for several years and didn’t know about any physiological effects until maybe a year ago. Birth control didn’t start affecting me until several years after I started taking it and it completely changed my personality. I suffered from depression, anxiety, just didn’t feel like myself at all. The podcast “Fertility Friday” & Lisa Hendrickson-Jackson’s work was a GAME CHANGER for me. I learned so much about how BC affects us internally (even if it doesn’t manifest externally) and how to better understand my cycle. Thank you again for sharing – more people need to be having conversations about this!!
I learned especially with monster level cramps evening prim rose helps to tame them back down. It doesn’t make them stop but it does help to keep the “fall to your knees, doubled over in agony” at bay. Another trick I learned to just eliminate the cramps, is to take naproxen sodium (aka Aleve) right at the start of your period. You’re suppose to take it throughout your period to prevent them but since my cramps are only at the beginning I only take naproxen sodium through the rough part of my cycle and lay off. I know over the counter pain killers can do a number on the stomach but everyone feel like dog shit when their in pain. Naproxen Sodium is also the only pain killer that I found that doesn’t increase your flow which is a big positive for me.
definitely grabbing some prim rose for my next period!
I just can’t with the misinformation. Are you a doctor? No- but you have a massive following. The research that suggests birth control is linked to libido is behind and there is no correlation. I hate that you’re spreading this in an age where birth control is attached and many women lack basic health care and need access to birth control so badly. You are abusing your power with this blog and it sucks. Please, everyone, talk to your health care provider if you need adjustments to your bc. Do the research and trust your Gynecologists. We fought long and hard for birth control and the STRUGGLE continues as lawmakers try to take our basic rights away.
Attacked*
Ally, I’m not attacking birth control. I’m sharing my personal experience because others have done the same for me and it’s been incredibly helpful. no doctor has ever shared information about supplementation to help with what birth control depletes in the body. i personally chose to get off birth control and look to other preventative steps to prevent pregnancy. no where in this post did i tell others to get off birth control. i know i’m not a doctor and i state that in this post and tell others to talk with a medical professional. if you are looking for doctor advice, dr. jolene brighten has been incredibly helpful for me and other people out there – https://drbrighten.com/
I just wanted to say thank you for being willing to share your personal experience around a sensitive issue. I decided 2 decades ago to use a copper iud because the hormones in BC caused depression. It has been a good choice for me. It gives my husband and I freedom in knowing we won’t have an unexpected pregnancy.
You may want to see a functional medicine doctor and have your vitamins and minerals tested along with your DHEA. You can find these doctors on the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Website.
Hi, Thank you for sharing and being so open. I just tried using your affiliated link and it doesn’t look like Thrive is selling the supplements anymore. Do you have another affiliate link or some on amazon you get. Thanks in advance:)
weird! i wonder if they just sold out of everything during the pandemic!
It is not showing out of stock it is just gone. 🙁