Woman Code - Birth Control

90% of women in the United States have used some form of contraceptives in their lifetimes, most popularly choosing the pill. Women use hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives for a plethora of reasons like protection from unwanted pregnancies, reducing menstrual cramps and pain (even though there are so many homeopathic remedies to relieve discomfort), treating stubborn acne, and to help ease those who suffer from endometriosis. Birth control is honestly only beneficial to those who do not have any hormonal disturbances and are using it to prevent pregnancy (even though there are ways to naturally prevent conception).

However, so many females are using it for the wrong reasons like masking symptoms of underlying hormonal issues because their Gynecologists recommended them to start birth control to “fix it”. Birth control does not cure any conditions listed above; it only alters hormone levels to eliminate symptoms. In reality, the pill and other forms of birth control make your body think that it is pregnant, therefore causing your body to have the symptoms you were already dealing with, on top of false pregnancy symptoms too. 

There are millions of women walking around today with compromised endocrine systems who do not even know it since their birth control masks their symptoms. Many do not realize that they have an issue, and the longer the hormonal problem exists, the more complicated it is to treat. In addition to that if you choose to go off of the pill later on in life to conceive and start a family, you might find it to be frustrating and harder to do. The body’s natural chemistry is thrown off course, and can cause infertility. Birth control affects more than just the reproductive organs like ovaries, it also has a detrimental effect on the kidneys, liver, and heart. It impacts the quality of blood and changes the brain’s chemistry which can create many neurological disturbances. The mind and body are not able to connect and maintain balance. It can have serious consequences for physical health, moods, weight, and personal relationship with self.

Now let’s take a look at the history of contraceptives. It took a large group of people and many decades of studying biochemistry and other areas of science to come up with a compound of hormones that causes temporary sterilization and/or infertility. There are a few honorable people who made the biggest efforts in the creation and distribution of birth control, more specifically the pill. It all started in America when activist Margaret Sanger, the founder of the American Birth Control League opened the first clinic in 1916. As her service continued, so did her scientific research throughout the 1940-50s, in which she personally funded. She worked closely with her longtime friend Katharine McCormick who financially supported research for an oral form of contraceptive. McCormick was Sanger’s right-hand woman and had a strong background in Biochemistry as a graduate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Together they popularized the term “Birth Control”.

Overall it is important to do your research, listen to your body, and ask questions to your Gynecologists and others who have accurate information. Birth control has its negative and positive effects and opportunities for women. Before taking any kind of medication, especially hormonal ones, it is crucial for you to have a deep and full understanding of each intricate system, phase, and hormone that the female body regulates and does to maintain a healthy body. Start by practicing mindfulness when it comes to what you are putting into your body, how you’re using it, and how you react to certain internal messages. There are many beneficial and wholesome ways to control symptoms with eating proper nutrition and diet, as well as having a strong and proud connection with your feminine energy.