Common fears when ditching the Pill

Thinking of ditching your birth control pills? You’re not alone. Many women are rethinking what they put in their bodies, moving away from hormonal contraception to embrace their natural fertility.  

From wanting to be rid of negative side effects to desiring a more holistic approach, getting off “the pill” is a pivotal and very personal decision. The benefits are equally significant – and science proves it!  

Many women have been on “the pill” since high school. And making the switch can seem daunting. That’s why we’re taking an honest look at some of the most common fears women express when beginning this journey.

The facts: Women deserve to know the truth about how hormonal birth control really works. They also deserve to know there is a better way of living that rejects the artificial and harnesses a woman’s natural power already found in her fertility.

How it works

In short, hormonal birth control prevents pregnancy by manipulating the body into thinking it’s constantly pregnant. This is done by altering normal hormone levels with artificial versions of the hormones estrogen and progestin. These prevent the woman from ovulating, or releasing eggs.

As a “back-up” measure to prevent pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives also change her uterine lining and cervical mucus to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg or welcoming a fertilized egg . For this reason, this form of contraception is also called an “abortifacient,” since it indirectly causes the death of a unique human pers

In contrast, observation and science show that a woman’s body produces its own natural biomarkers – such cervical mucus or urine hormone levels – to track her cycle and indicate exactly when pregnancy can be achieved or avoided without flooding the body with synthetics. 

That’s where fertility awareness methods come in, where through simple observation and charting, women – working with trained medical professionals – can learn to manage their reproductive health. 

Now on to some myths and fears.    

Myth: I’ll lose my autonomy

One of the most common fears is that without the pill you’ll lose control over your fertility. While understandable, this concern is looking at fertility backwards. 

Ditching the synthetic hormones and embracing the natural rhythms of your cycle is the full picture of healthy autonomy.

Fertility awareness opens a window for your body to run the way it was meant to and for your cycle to tell you natural indicators of fertility and hormonal health. When it comes to reproduction and conception, you are able to make fully intentional and educated decisions based on your knowledge of your unique cycle. 

The pill, in contrast, is a one-size-fits-all option that doesn’t take into account your specific cycle and personal needs. 

That’s why some women on the pill lose or gain weight, some have clearer skin or worse acne – because messing with your blood cells with foreign hormones can start to dysregulate the body.

Myth: The pill is trusty and tested

Ever since the pill first arrived on the scene in 1960, it’s been standard practice for doctors to prescribe it for women as soon as adolescence is reached – like a rite of passage – along with recommending it as a cure-all “remedy” for anything from intense period cramps to bad acne. 

However, rather than being an old reliable, many women have experienced that the pill has only done harm to their reproductive system, mental health, and exacerbated health problems they were told would be resolved by birth control. 

One of the biggest concerns women have had with the pill is the intense side effects that come with adding synthetic hormones to the body. Mayo Clinic lists many of these side effects with varying severity including: headaches, stomach pain, depression, breakthrough bleeding, liver disorders, deep vein thrombosis, strokes, and even heart attacks.

What’s more, the National Cancer Institute says that the risk of developing breast and cervical cancer is higher for women on the pill. 

According to EVIE Magazine, research has found that “nearly half of all women who go on hormonal contraceptives stop using them within the first year because of intolerable side effects.”

Psychologist and author of “Your Brain on Birth Control,” Dr. Sarah Hill has done extensive research on how some of the pill’s side effects affect the brain, from the altering of women’s moods, increased anxiety levels, a decrease in libido, and even affecting  brain development altogether.  

Though first FDA approved in 1960, versions of the pill have been flagged as posing serious risks for women, such as in 2012 when some birth control brands were marked as potentially dangerous to the cardiovascular system. 

Myth: Everybody’s doing it

While it’s so widely defaulted to in media, medicine, and culture, the pill’s popularity is actually dwindling as more women from all backgrounds are deciding to take back their natural fertility health. Women searching for a lifestyle free from pharmaceutical dependency, debilitating side effects, and the medical industrial machine are ditching the pill.

It may be popular, but not everyone is content with the toll the pill has taken on so many women’s health. As of 2019, only 24% of women said the pill is their preferred method and that’s in decline from 31% back in 2002. 

In Conclusion

If you’ve decided to ditch the pill, know that you’re not alone and there are many women just like yourself taking steps to be informed on their body’s natural capabilities.

We highly recommend talking with your doctor and exploring fertility awareness methods, such as Creighton or Marquette, as you embark on this journey toward greater health and knowledge of the incredible things our bodies can do.