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Functional Medicine - Focusing on The Root Cause of Disease

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Let’s Talk the Birth Control Pill and Your Gut!

Oct 09, 2019

Let’s Talk the Birth Control Pill and Your Gut!

"The day we stop learning is the day we die." - Michael Scott


Let’s Talk About the Birth Control Pill and Your Gut!


​According to the CDC, in the United States, 16% of women aged 15-44 are currently using the pill. TWO THIRDS of women in the US have used birth control at some point in their life- the pill being the most common form. It’s more important than ever to understand how oral contraceptives can affect a person’s overall health, beginning in the gut.


Now, the pill has significantly reduced the amount of unwanted pregnancies, there is no doubt about that. However, when the pill is readily used for SYMPTOMATIC treatment- this is the issue. 

Ladies, if you are utilizing birth control because you aren’t ready to have children or maybe you don’t ever want children- that is 100% your choice and I support that. We know the pill causes nutrient deficiencies, I’m here to help with that!


If you are using the pill to manage symptoms, I want you to know that there are other options! Options that don’t change your gut microbiome, options that don’t negatively impact your health, options that don’t cause side effects like infertility, painful periods, reduced libido, anxiety, weight gain, etc.


Birth control was introduced in 1960. What I love about science, it’s always evolving! We know much more now, in 2019, than we did in 1960. Over the years, there has been several studies done on the use of the pill and its effect on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease. While each study differs in their focus, methods, and sample size, one common conclusion has been obtained- there is a direct link between oral contraceptive use and your gut


Most forms of most oral contraceptives contain estrogen, this synthetic estrogen impacts your gut wall, essentially leading to “leaky gut syndrome”. Leaky gut is a very common problem. Basically, it’s a condition that occurs when the "tight junctions" that line the GI tract stay open too long. This means toxic by-products in the digestive tract will be absorbed into the blood stream and taken into the liver. Your GI is supposed to excrete these toxins, with your pores open, the toxins leak out.


I know, I know, you want the science backed data…


Long term use of the pill can result in a higher risk of developing Crohn’s disease or another form of inflammatory  bowel diseases (IBD).

(The research study is included below.)


A study in 2016 showed the association between using the pill and cardiovascular disease. If you are a smoker, and take the pill, you have an 80% higher risk of a heart attack. Women that take the pill have 2 times the risk of primary pulmonary embolism and 80% higher risk of hypertension. Oral contraceptive users have a higher risk of invasive breast cancer and were found to be associated with a 2 times higher risk of melanoma. (PMID: 27459451)

Do you suffer from migraines? About 25% of women in the United States do. Did you know that women who take oral contraceptives, and suffer from migraines, have a NINE TIMES HIGHER RISK OF A STROKE?!

(The research study is included below.)


Do you suffer from anxiety?! Anxiety is the most common type of mental disorder in the United States. Did you know that with improving your gut microbiome you can help treat your anxiety? In 2019, Yang published a systematic review, published in the Journal of General Psychiatry, stating that “We find that more than half of the studies included showed it was positive to treat anxiety symptoms by regulation of intestinal microbiota.” If you’re taking the pill, it is most likely attributing to your anxiety. ​

(I’ve included the summary to Yang's systematic review below.)


Women account for SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT of ALL auto-immune diseases. Sex hormones in your gut microbiome can affect the development of autoimmune diseases. (PMID: 23328391)

As I previously stated, if you are taking the pill to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, I support your choice. But, let’s talk about the nutrients it’s depleting and be proactive with your health! If you are taking the pill to treat symptoms like irregular periods, acne, PCOS, painful periods, etc.- I am here to tell you that you have other options! And those other options don’t come with a grocery list of potential side effects. Our women deserve better, please, contact us today!


Let's get back to health,
​Dr. Taryn

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