The pill-free life
Many people start taking birth control in their teens and continue consistently without a break for years. When it comes to quitting birth control, there is a barrage of information available out there detailing the bad and the ugly, from breakouts to severe mood swings, tender breasts and irregular or non-existent menstrual cycles and if you don’t know where to start, it’s daunting and overwhelming.
If you’re thinking about giving birth control the boot but you’re not sure what living a pill-free life will be like, this is my experience.
It wasn’t until recently that I learnt just how important it is to understand your body as someone who experiences a menstrual cycle, and how our menstrual cycles affects each and every day we have.
Let’s start back in 2017. I was a bit of a late bloomer, and I didn’t get my first period until I was 16. All I remember was that they were super painful and very irregular which was my reason for starting on birth control. Just one quick trip to the doctor, no information apart from the possibility of blood clots which could cause a stroke, I started taking the pill.
Fast forward to the beginning of 2023, I decided to stop taking the pill and stay off it after being on it for about 6 years. I won’t lie, I was scared, as only about 8 months beforehand I decided I was sick of it and stopped taking it and I quit cold turkey. This was the worst thing I could have done. I know it doesn’t sound bad, but I got acne (I know, I know), but for me I don’t get acne, so this was bad, and it started to affect me mentally. An easy fix was to give in and start taking the pill again. I felt guilty because I knew this was an easy fix and wouldn't be a long-term fix, but I didn’t know what else to do, and after going to the doctor they also suggested the easy fix to go back on the pill even though deep down that was the last thing I wanted to do.
After being back on the pill for a few months I had noticed such a negative change in my mood, and I genuinely hated myself, to the point I had to put a towel over my mirror because I couldn’t stand the sight of myself. I knew this was the consequence of starting the pill for a second time, so I decided to come off it (again) once and for all. This time around, I wanted to do it properly; I booked a naturopath appointment to help me through this and to help aid the horrible side effects which can come with stopping the pill, along with all the side effects I had while on it.
My naturopath really guided me through this and yes, I was taking quite a few different supplements, and powders, but it was worth it to keep my skin clear, limit my bloating and most importantly to understand what it’s like to feel like me as a woman.
The menstrual cycle is something I really wish was taught more in schools. I’m 22 years old and only now truly starting to understand the menstrual cycle and what each phase is. Our hormones go on this incredible journey over around 28 days (about 4 weeks) which means we are going to feel differently literally every single day. It really boggles my mind that more people don’t understand this. Our menstrual cycle and our hormones literally impact everything about us; our mental health, our physical symptoms, how we can exercise, our productivity, creativity, our social needs and our sexual needs. And, the wild thing is that male hormones, their testosterone, goes on this 24-hour journey meaning it resets every 24 hours. Making them perfect for the society we live in. The other half of the population has had to learn how to operate within this 24-hour clock, meaning we’re supposed to wake up every single day feeling the exact same way, when that’s just not it.
Have you noticed that some days you are feeling amazing, confident, skin is glowing, and just everything is right with the world? You very well may be ovulating. But then, other times you are an anxious mess, you don’t want to talk to anyone, you hate yourself and anyone who tries to come close? That could be because you are in your premenstrual phase which is known as the Luteal Phase.
We have four phases which make up our menstrual cycle and each phase is incredibly different than the next. We are going to feel slightly different, and we are going to need different things at each of these stages.
Menstruation
The first phase which everyone knows about is Menstruation. This is typically days 1-5 of the cycle and this is when bleeding occurs. Hormone levels are low, lower energy, we can experience physical discomfort such as cramps and headaches, we are more prone to mood swings and irritability.
Follicular
The next phase is the Follicular phase, usually days 6-14, where your body prepares for ovulation. Our oestrogen levels increase, we have more energy, more motivated and feeling more sociable and creative.
Ovulation
Day 14 is Ovulation. This is halfway through the cycle and oestrogen levels peak; this is when we are feeling our most confident and our sexual desire is heightened. This is also the optimum time to get pregnant.
Luteal
The last phase is the Luteal phase where progesterone levels decrease and we start to see changes in our mood, we are more irritable and may experience more anxiety and feel tired.
Learning about this has been so important for me as I have learnt to recognize what phase I am in and what I need to do to care for myself during that. We’re not even taught about how amazing our Follicular and Ovulatory phase is. No wonder why we are so tired all the time, no wonder why PMS makes us hate ourselves, make us want to break up with our partners, and quit our job, there’s no wonder why periods can be so painful that sometimes we can’t get out of bed. Because we are not taught how to care for ourselves.
For me personally, I don’t think I could ever go back to taking synthetic hormones. I understand some people don’t get this choice, so I’m grateful that I do. But if this is something you’ve been considering for a while, talk to someone who knows what they are talking about; specialists, OB-GYNs or naturopaths for a more holistic approach if that’s what you’re into.
My biggest advice to anyone thinking about a pill-free life is research all methods of contraception. Not everyone reacts the same. My friends are on the pill, and they are okay! My body just didn’t react well to the pill and that’s also okay.