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 so much for this. My last Depo injection was in January. I was so ready. I was dry as the Sahara and completely uninterested in love making most of the time. About a month later, I went off on my husband like a crazy person. But I also kinda wanted to make it up to him if you get my drift. My period just came back last month and my interest also really came back too. I had no idea all the vitamins depleted over the 25 years I was on birth control but I know I’ve been diagnosed at different times with a magnesium and b vitamin deficiency. You will never know how many women this post will touch. But from one of them, thank you!
Ugh, I went off BC to the copper IUD and I have .1% sex drive, but I also have other issues at play. No sex drive stinks! However this is great info and I’m totally storing it for any girl friends who bring it up in the future!
Thank you for sharing!! I’ve been wanting to get off birth control myself but I’ve been hesitant because of the transition. Please continue to share how things are going. All of this information has been very helpful so I can be better prepared when I do.
Went completely off birth control over a year ago. It was actually my then boyfriend now legal stud muffin that recommended it. Bold move cotton on his part. But, I was having a hard time recovering from workouts, my mood swings were everywhere no thanks to the BC and my thyroid being out of whack. It took like 4 month to level off after being on BC for 14yrs. I think the only thing I supplemented with was iron, and fuck those pills. I had to take it in liquid form, and the difference was night and day. It was awesome! Now I’m knocked up tho (by choice) and my hormones are all fucked up. So there’s that. But I used the “flow” app to track my period to make sure if we were going to get busy and not trying to get knocked up we would work around those ovulation days.. and awkward as it may be RUN to the bathroom immediately. Super romantic, I know.
I just went though the SAME thing got off BC in October been on it 20 years and my body decided to go cray cray!
I actually work for an acupuncturist/chiropractor/naturopathic doc and she’s helped me TONS with similar vitamins and sups. Ascent health center Dr Julie Marchiol if your needing any extra help! ?
Juli- thank you thank you thank you for making me not feel alone!!! I just went off for the same reasons you mentioned, unfortunately for me its been 4 months and no period here 🙁 but hopefully that changes. I found the prenatal vitamins from Pink Stork (on amazon) have the same vitamins and minerals that you mentioned above but are all in one pill.
Please do an IG Live on this topic- i think so many of us would find it helpful!
Thanks for sharing Juli – you are the best. Its been over 20 years since I have been on birth control so don’t really remember the effects but am currently struggling through menopause at this point in my life. The lack of sex drive made me seek out a naturopath and started some DHEA and a few other things that definitely helped with my energy and sex drive. I still have times where it is not as strong as I want it to be but it still comes back around. Good luck and keep doing you cause we love you!!
Me too! On birth control for over 15 years then finally quit 3 months ago because of non-existent (NULL! Squat! Zero!) libido. It was definitely doing a number on my relationship. Thankfully I’ve had very few negative symptoms from coming off (though maybe it’s too early to tell), and my period is normal. Libido has improved….marginally? But not by much! Keeping hope that it’ll continue to improve over the next few months. I’m using the app CLUE to track symptoms and my cycle, which has been a fun exercise! I’m also strategically using the “pull out and pray” method 😀 along with tracking my cycle (and fluid) on CLUE.
This is all good to know for whenever I go off of it. But for right now, the past 5 years I’ve been on it have been the happiest, most pain and discomfort-free I have ever been during my 30 reproductive years! Can’t imagine going back to my million symptoms that debilitated me.
Oh, do I feel this post! I had little sex drive, fatigue, and straight up depression from the Skyla IUD I had in last year. My GYN insisted it had nothing to do with the hormones, but guess what? Once I got it out, I felt so much better.
I will say, post hormonal birth control was rough. Apparently it takes 3 months to fully purge those fake hormones from your system? Something like that. And then was when I really struggled. My face broke out horribly, my periods were nonexistent, and I got really painful bacne. All that said, I have been off birth control for 7 months, and I’m now finally feeling like myself again. Periods are regular, libido is back in full swing (woohoo), and my acne totally cleared up.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel! I will never go back on hormonal birth control. My moods and overall health are so much better without it.
I love Dr. Jolene Brighten’s work and also reocmmend Dr. Laura Briden’s work too!