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Reclaiming Fertility: 3 Steps to Cleansing and Restoring Balance In Your Body After Oral Birth Control

Birth Control: A Love-Hate Relationship

Women can be prescribed birth control for many reasons apart from the obvious intent of contraception. These range from acne to painful periods, headaches to balancing out their cycles. However, chances are that if you are reading this article, you have some level of interest in learning how you can help your body through the transition that takes places after coming off birth control, by reclaiming fertility. Whether you were experiencing side effects from the pill, trying for a baby, or just simply want to learn more about your body and support its natural cycles, this is a great starting point!

 

Reclaiming Fertility: 3 Steps to Cleansing and Restoring Balance In Your Body After Oral Birth Control | Kolya Naturals, Canada

 

So What’s to Love?

There is absolutely no doubt that the birth control pill and other forms of contraceptives were catalysts for women’s liberation and the sexual revolution. As opposed to being mothers first and breadwinners second, birth control gave women a tangible tool to finally be on the same level as men when it came to the workforce. Many women saw birth control as a means of having more authority over their life path. The power of choosing when to have children and how many was and is life-changing. The first oral contraceptive was approved by the FDA in 1960 and only available for married couples. In 1972 the Supreme Court legalized birth control for all citizens, regardless of marital status. Here we are 55 years later, and if you’re in childbearing years and not on the pill or some other form of pharmaceutical contraception, you seem to be the minority.

Some Hazards to Hate

A woman’s body works through sophisticated cycles, rhythms, and cascades. Like a perfectly choreographed dance, our delicate (yet intricate) endocrine and reproductive systems sway and adjust, constantly trying to achieve a state of balance for whatever point of the dance we are in. An unadulterated menstrual cycle is made of rising and falling levels of estrogen and progesterone. Birth controls efficacy, simply put, comes from the consistently high and unchanging levels of estrogen and progestin. This combination stops the body from releasing the mature egg so that ovulation and, thus, potential fertilization cannot occur. It also keeps the woman’s cervical mucus thick and tacky, making it extremely difficult for sperm to reach the fallopian tubes.

When the liver metabolizes birth control, extra nutrients are required. These include B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc, folic acid, and magnesium. With long-term use of the pill, the user has a very high chance of developing nutritional deficiencies of these essential vitamins and minerals. Also, birth control can impair healthy gut flora, which leads to yeast overgrowth. This is a result of the continuous estrogen blast that the pill is giving. Science has shown a connection between high estrogen levels and candida yeast overgrowth. Click here to educate yourself further on this topic.

 

Reclaiming Fertility after Birth Control | Kolya Naturals, Canada

 

Here is a list of the stripped nutrients, their primary roles, and what their deficiencies look like:

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)- Involved in more metabolic functions than any other single nutrient, B6 is needed for the production of hydrochloric acid and the absorption of fats and proteins. It affects both physical and mental health. A deficiency may appear as anemia, headaches, cracks on the side on lips, irritation, depression, dizziness, hair loss, and oily flaky skin.

Folic Acid– Crucial in the regulation of homocysteine which is an amino acid that naturally occurs in the system as a result of other amino acids breaking down. High homocysteine levels have been connected to an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Folic acid is vital during pregnancy as it regulates proper embryonic and fetal nerve cell formation. A deficiency can manifest as anemia, digestive disturbances, sore, red tongue, and congenital disabilities.

Vitamin B12– Needed to prevent anemia, it works together with folic acid to regulate the formation of red blood cells and the utilization of iron. Needed for proper digestion and the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. Supports the healthy growth of the fatty sheaths that surround and protect nerve endings. A deficiency in B12 may cause depression, chronic fatigue, nervousness, irritability, anemia, and digestive disorders.

Zinc– Is essential for the growth and health of reproductive organs. Zinc is required for protein synthesis and a healthy immune system. Deficiency in zinc may appear as acne, fatigue, hair loss, infertility, recurrent colds and cases of the flu, and delayed wound healing.

Magnesium– Vital for the body’s energy production, magnesium is needed for the transmission of nerve and muscle impulses. Taking magnesium during pregnancy has been shown to dramatically decrease the event of congenital disabilities and mental retardation in infants. A lack of magnesium may present as confusion, insomnia, constipation, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome.

 

Optimized Magnesium | Kolya Naturals, Canada

 

Step One: Love Your Liver

The liver is one of the hardest working organs in our system. It performs hundreds of vital functions all day, every day. These include the regulation of sugars, metabolism of hormones, proteins, vitamins and minerals, blood circulation and filtration, and of course plays a vital role in the detox process. Because the metabolism of birth control zaps a lot of nutrients from the liver, and most users have been taking birth control for several years, the liver can use some extra TLC! There are 2 phases in liver detoxification. In phase 1 the liver converts the fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble forms so that they can be taken out of the system. During phase 1 the toxins reactivity actually increases, making them more harmful if phase 2 does not happen correctly. Phase 2 is where something called “conjugation” takes place. This means that the newly converted water-soluble toxins are paired up with sulphur, amino acids, and other organic compounds so they can be excreted as bile. The problem, though, is that if someone has a stressed-out liver (like someone who has taken birth control for years) phase 2 happens slower and can’t keep up with the workload phase 1 has so kindly made for it. To make sure the sequence of liver detoxification occurs properly, I suggest Opti-Liv from Optimum Health Vitamins. This product supplies the liver with ingredients that gently support the detox process on a daily basis. These include Milk Thistle, N-Acetyl-Cystine, and Schizandra. Milk thistle stabilizes the cell membrane and stimulates protein synthesis while accelerating the process of regeneration in damaged liver tissue. N-Acetyl-Cysteine and Schizandra both increase glutathione- a powerful antioxidant that detoxifies harmful compounds in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and bone marrow. Cleaning up your liver can give you many health benefits such as clearer skin, better sleep, weight loss, and uplifted mood.

Opti Liv | Kolya Naturals, Canada

 

Step Two: Eat your Broccoli!

Like you haven’t heard that enough in your life! But seriously, your parents were right! One of the most beneficial constituents of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables is something called Diindolylmethane or DIM (way easier to pronounce). Taking a DIM supplement is the second step of cleansing after the pill. Sure you could eat roughly 18 kgs of broccoli to get the therapeutic dose, but we did you a favour and made a supplement! Estrogen, including the synthetic form most birth controls use, can be converted into “good” or “bad” metabolites. DIM aids our bodies in choosing to convert estrogen into the “good” form. This is beneficial because the harmful estrogen metabolites have been linked with increased risk of obesity, breast, and uterine cancer. This process takes place in the all mighty liver, which is another reason why supporting that organ is so crucial. My favourite supplement that assists with this estrogen clearance is DIM & D-Glucurate by Optimum Health Vitamins. As mentioned above, DIM makes sure that the liver chooses the positive pathway for estrogen metabolism. D-Glucurate ensures that both phases of liver detox occur uninterrupted.

Dim & D Glucarate | Kolya Naturals, Canada

 

Step 3: Be Pro-probiotic!

The importance of probiotics is a newer phenomenon in both natural and allopathic medicine. We always knew they were important, and we just had no idea they would be this important. You might be thinking, “Probiotics? Does she mean antibiotics? Because I’ve taken those!” I get that question all the time, and there is a world of difference between the two! In fact, they’re the opposites of each other. Antibiotic means “against life,” and these are used for bacterial infections to kill harmful bacteria. While these can be handy, even life-saving if you really need them, they are widely over-prescribed in North America resulting in resistant bacteria and weakened digestive systems. Probiotic means “for life”. They are the beneficial live microorganisms that act as the first line of defence for our immune system and increase nutrients absorption by improving intestinal health. These tiny critters also play an important role when it comes to detoxing the body of excess hormones. Once the toxins are secreted by the liver in the form of bile, they are taken to the intestines for excretion. In order for complete excretion to take place, the gut must have a healthy population of good bacteria. If there is an imbalance between the good and the bad guys, it means that something called dysbiosis is occurring. This creates an issue because when dysbiosis is present, there are higher levels of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that digests the bond of the coupled estrogen. Once the bond is broken, the estrogen is once again biologically active and is reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Then it is sent to the liver to be processed all over again. Therefore, replenishing your system with probiotics will ensure that the excess hormones and toxins that your body just worked so hard to metabolize actually make it out of your body completely. We recommend the Opti-Elite Probiotics from Optimum Health Vitamins.

 

Opti Elite Probiotics | Kolya Naturals, Canada

 

References

  • http://natural-fertility-info.com/
  • Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, M.S.; A Smart Woman’s Guide to Weight Loss, Headline Promotion Ltd. 2012
  • Elson Hass MD, Buck Levin Ph.D., MD; Staying Healthy With Nutrition, Celestial Arts, 2006
jessica o.
jessica o.
Jessica is a life sized fairy who devotes her life to helping others cultivate better versions of themselves. She believes that true beauty comes from a being that is nourished on all levels; body, mind, spirit. She is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, has a diploma in Holistic Health, and is a birth doula.

25 Comments

  1. Cris says:

    Hi! I was wondering if these steps should be done at the same time??

    Thank you??

    • jessica o. says:

      Hey, Cris!
      Great question- we highly recommend doing all three of these products at the same time. Synergistically, they make the detox process more efficient 🙂

  2. […] It is important to note that debilitating menstrual pain, called dysmenorrhea, stem from hormonal imbalance, therefore the best way to resolve this issue is bringing your body and cycles back into a state of harmony. You can learn more about how to do so with natural techniques here and here. […]

  3. Kaela says:

    I’ve been on depo for 3 months I had an horrible experience it made me depressed and anxious I’m on the 13th weeks and it should be leaving my body what should I do to help me regain my normal hormone balance and when will I feel myself again

    • kolya says:

      Hi Kaela,
      We are sorry to hear about your horrible experience, and would love to help in any way we can. If you call 780-433-1090 ext 2, one of our floor consultants would be more than happy to help you find something that may remedy your situation.

  4. Rino says:

    Hi ,I have stopped my menstruation for 9 years back because I was using constraceptive for certain period ,but now I am very concerned about it because I want to get pregnant

    • kolya says:

      Hi Rino,

      Thank you for the inquiry. We do not advise on peoples health conditions and kindly suggest asking your health practitioner.

      Best wishes on your journey.

  5. sharon says:

    I have been in depo for almost a year i stoped it last year ad am not seeing any signs of being pregnant what medicine can i use or you help me in any other way

    • kolya says:

      Hi Sharon,

      We do not advise on peoples health conditions and we kindly suggest asking your health practitioner to see if they can help you in any way. 🙂

      Wishing you well.

  6. Katie says:

    Will the DIM exacerbate hormonal symptoms as it begins to clear out the toxins?

    • kolya says:

      Hi Katie,

      As every individual is different, we cannot be certain your symptoms won’t worsen. However, it is not likely that there will be a worsening of hormonal symptoms, but rather, an improvement.

      If you want to clear out toxins, then we recommend using the Optimized DIM & D-Glucarate (though, we advise against using or beginning anything during pregnancy).

      Rebalancing hormones after using or even while you were on birth control is one of the main applications for DIM, and the D-Glucarate helps clear old hormonal metabolites out of your body more effectively then DIM alone. Optimum Health Vitamins recommends taking one capsule twice a day, with meals.

      Saying this, there are no guarantees and if you experience any worsening of symptoms, reduce the dosage or discontinue the Dim & D-Glucarate.

      Best wishes on your healing journey!

  7. Hi! Would following this cleanse be beneficial for my husband as well? Or no?

    • kolya says:

      Hi Teliah, great question!

      Opti-Liv and the Probiotics are good for (almost) anyone, as they help the liver get rid of toxins and help the gut escort them out of the body completely.

      The Optimized Dim & D-Glucarate will be very good for male hormonal health and prostate health.

      The combination of all 3 will also help reduce the effects of BPS and xenoestrogens from plastics (and other sources). In general, most males would like to get rid of excess estrogenic substances for better hormonal health, so yes- these will all be beneficial for your husband!

  8. Karla says:

    Hi! I was on the pill for many, many years. How long should one do this detox for? Many thanks 🙂

    • kolya says:

      Hi Karla, thank you for your message.

      Detoxing is an individual process and as every individual is different, the length of time will vary for everyone. To help the detoxification process, we suggest ensuring you have adequate amounts of essential fatty acids, and look into additional supplementation such as using Female Balance and DIM from Optimum Health Vitamins.

      Though, please note that these are basic recommendations from John Biggs,BSc, NCP, OHP. We suggest seeking any additional advice from a qualified, natural health or functional medicine practitioner. 🙂

  9. Autumn says:

    I have been off of birth control for over 6 months now. I’ve gotten my hormone levels tested and found out my progesterone is extremely low. My fiance and I want to have a baby in the next few years. What can I do to help that’s natural? I’m not willing to take any creams, injections, or pills. That can harm me more. How long does it take birth control to leave your system and not cause horrible side effects?

    • kolya says:

      Hi Autumn, thank you for reaching out!

      Every individual is different, so the length of time will vary. Beyond making sure you have adequate amounts of essential fatty acids (i.e., Fish or Krill Oil & especially Borage or Evening Primrose Oil, etc), the herb Vitex will help raise progesterone, and is one of the principle ingredients in hormone balancing formulas such as Female Balance (which we highly recommend).

      For anyone trying to rebalance their hormones after birth control, the cruciferous vegetable extract known as DIM, (diindolylmethane) would also be important because of the positive impact it has on normalizing estrogen metabolism.

      These are basic recommendations from John Biggs,BSc, NCP, OHP, and if further information is desired, we recommend seeking advice through a qualified, natural health or functional medicine practitioner.

  10. Mae says:

    I am using pill for almost three years and I want to cleanse my body from it. what can you recommend to me?

    • kolya says:

      Hi Mae, thanks for reaching out!

      As mentioned in the blog, here’s a list of nutritional deficiencies you may be experiencing:

        Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)– Involved in more metabolic functions than any other single nutrient, B6 is needed for the production of hydrochloric acid and the absorption of fats and proteins. It affects both physical and mental health. A deficiency may appear as anemia, headaches, cracks on the side on lips, irritation, depression, dizziness, hair loss, and oily flaky skin.
        Folic Acid– Crucial in the regulation of homocysteine which is an amino acid that naturally occurs in the system as a result of other amino acids breaking down. High homocysteine levels have been connected to an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Folic acid is vital during pregnancy as it regulates proper embryonic and fetal nerve cell formation. A deficiency can manifest as anemia, digestive disturbances, sore, red tongue, and congenital disabilities.
        Vitamin B12– Needed to prevent anemia, it works together with folic acid to regulate the formation of red blood cells and the utilization of iron. Needed for proper digestion and the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. Supports the healthy growth of the fatty sheaths that surround and protect nerve endings. A deficiency in B12 may cause depression, chronic fatigue, nervousness, irritability, anemia, and digestive disorders.
        Zinc– Is essential for the growth and health of reproductive organs. Zinc is required for protein synthesis and a healthy immune system. Deficiency in zinc may appear as acne, fatigue, hair loss, infertility, recurrent colds and cases of the flu, and delayed wound healing.
        Magnesium– Vital for the body’s energy production, magnesium is needed for the transmission of nerve and muscle impulses. Taking magnesium during pregnancy has been shown to dramatically decrease the event of congenital disabilities and mental retardation in infants. A lack of magnesium may present as confusion, insomnia, constipation, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome.

      Feel free to read over the blog again and learn about how you can help your body cleanse after birth control (and rebalance the possible nutritional deficiencies mentioned above).

      Best wishes on your healing journey!

  11. Memory says:

    Hi I took the depo shot four
    Times and I was suppose to take the fifth one in February this year but I didn’t because I want to have a child how long will it take for me to conceive?

    • kolya says:

      Hi there,

      We do not advise on people’s health conditions and as everyone is vastly different, we kindly suggest asking your health practitioner to see if they can help you in any way and answer your questions.

      Wishing you well.

  12. Fouzia says:

    Hey, I took depo for almost 7 years, I’ve been off it for 2 years coz I’m trying to conceive. By any chance do u think I can get pregnant, I’ve been getting periods every month for almost 2 years I havnt missed. I’m really worried tht I might not conceive. Anything u would recommend I take to help me conceive. Thnk you.

    • kolya says:

      Hi Fouzia,

      We do not advise on people’s health conditions and as everyone is vastly different, we kindly suggest asking your health practitioner to see if they can help you in any way and answer your questions.

      Wishing you well.

  13. Michelle R says:

    Is this the same protocol if I took one PlanB pill? My body feels like a train wreck. I have endometriosis and one ovarian cyst currently. Please advise steps on cleansing. Thank you so much.

    • kolya says:

      Hi Michelle,

      We are sorry to hear about your negative experience. When dealing with hormonal issues, we often recommend Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Zinc and Magnesium. Saying that, we do not advise on peoples specific health conditions and we kindly suggest asking your health practitioner to see if they can help you in any way.

      Wishing you well.