Birth control pills, both copper and hormonal IUDs, injections, vaginal rings, and implants offer convenience, peace of mind, and some can relieve excessive menstrual bleeding, severe menstrual pain, and certain types of acne. Although for some women, contraception comes with adverse symptoms – increasingly for those who experience menstrual suppression or drug-induced amenorrhea (absence of menstrual bleeding).
Many women remain unaffected or minimally affected, while others report noticeable changes following birth control use, such as:
• Weight loss
• Weight gain
• Digestive issues
• Appetite changes
• Emotional “numbness”
• Pelvic + varying pain
• Decreased libido
• Mood Changes
• Hair loss
• Bloating
Symptoms can vary in intensity and can depend on individual state of health. Acupuncture can offer management and significant relief, although symptoms often remain unresolved until the birth control is discontinued.
A deeply personal choice, discontinuing use can be nerve-wracking for those who are sexually active or are prescribed contraception as a remedy for controlling severe menstrual imbalances, such as pain and excessive bleeding often associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. Once discontinued, there is a possibility of the symptoms associated with those uterine diagnoses returning. Addressing the root cause(s) can take time, patience, and resources and can be an intimidating, though rewarding, commitment.
Mood Changes, Emotional Numbness + Low Libido
Imbalanced hormones and standardized hormonal therapies can lead to an array of symptoms such as mood fluctuations, a feeling of emotional numbness, or apathy towards what had previously ignited excitement. This can include a lowered libido and/or decrease in sexual sensation.
Weight Changes, Digestive Issues + Hair Loss
Some women experience weight gain whereas others notice weight loss due to a decreased appetite or lack of desire to eat. Bloating and nausea can occur in both cases, more often from birth control pills and hormonal contraception rather than copper IUD. When left unresolved, imbalances can result in nutrient deficiencies, anemia, low energy, and hair loss.
Persistent Aches + Pains
Deep-seated pain within the pelvis, lower abdomen, and/or low back that sometimes radiates to other areas of the body, for example, down the legs, is mostly associated with IUDs and menstrual suppression or drug-induced amenorrhea. Health history is important to understand if the pain in due to birth control rather than prior injury or poor posture.
Supporting the Body
Acupuncture, diet, supplementation, and self-care practices are strong tools for managing birth control-related symptoms or helping to regulate the body during detoxification. If discontinuing, the detoxification process affects everyone differently due to contraception type and personal state of health. For some, symptoms begin to resolve within the first week, while for others it can take months for the body to rebalance.
If this is you, remember to be patient with yourself during the process. Self-care practices such as adequate diet and quality sleep support the body as a whole and allow for natural healing mechanisms to do what they were designed to do. Avoiding toxins and hormone disruptors like alcohol, harsh personal care products, synthetic fragrances, and over consumption of processed foods can help to rebalance the body and hormone levels, aiding symptoms and discomfort.
— Rebecca Jivcoff, R. Ac
