I find it interesting how in the last few years, there has been a remarkable increase in literature about how birth control is actually not so good for you. I have a few different pdfs done by holistic practitioners about "Ditch your birth control" and "5 fabulous reasons to ditch your birth control". Plus a bunch of different resources that have snowballed into others. What a lot of people do not seem to realize is that there are non-hormonal alternatives such as the copper IUD and FAM type methods. I know when I think FAM, my brain goes to "I DO NOT want to get pregnant" as it is mostly used by women TO get pregnant. But, I am learning that it can be used to avoid pregnancy as well. Considering how much of a nut I am for detail, I know I can pull it off. I was able to remember to take the mini-pill at the exact same time every. This is the most detailed document on charting your fertility cycle that I have found so far. I am currently waiting for two books to come in as well (Taking Charge Of Your Fertility by Toni Weischler - this book was recommended to me by my Naturopathic Doctor and WomanCode by Alisa Vitti - this looked really interesting). In addition to the actual "how-to" and "why" resources, there have been some more detailed documents more about the physiological impact. One of the sites mentioned several deficiencies that birth control can cause: serotonin, B vitamins, magnesium, and CoQ10. And it wasn't just the one document. There is also the impact of having too much estrogen/progesterone in your body, which causes your body forgets how to regulate itself. Also, depending on when you started the birth control can have a major impact. One site mentioned that it takes 4 years after your first cycle for your body to regulate itself... I know I started birth control maybe 2-3 years after my first excruciating cycle.
I was 16 years old at the time. I have been on several different kinds. I started on aleese, then they switched me to aviane (after which I had an ocular migraine), given that I had an ocular migraine I was removed from estrogen based pills and put on the mini-pill, then an IUD (which was removed due to mass discomfort), and have since been on depo-provera to regulate my suspected endometriosis. Of course, my migraines got really bad at 17 years old and well, it kind of went from there. I have decided, with the guidance of my ND, to no longer take any of these. She put me on the "seed rotation" to balance my hormones. She upped my B vitamins intake as birth control can deplete the body big time of B vitamins. Amazingly, my abdominal pain hasn't seemed to have got much worse. In general, I am feeling better. We are working on getting me balanced; we are working on healing rather than using a band-aid.
Birth control seems to be used by doctors as a band-aid and "cure-all" for more uterine ailments, it seems, while keeping you from getting pregnant. I do not know if I would have been responsible enough when I was younger to do the charting, but if I was fully informed of my options, potential side-effects, and risks, I probably would have. Who the hell knows, really.
So, how does this all relate to fibro? Well, I take a variety of supplements (magnesium, CoQ10, 5HTP, vitamin B complex, vitamin D, and iron). I take them because I know I feel better with them and have experimented in seeing the effects when I do not take them to see if there is indeed a difference. If you look at the list of supplements that help compared to the list of items that birth control can deplete the body thereof, it is pretty damn close. One of the supplements that kind of confused me as why it worked was the CoQ10. I have found spotty literature on the impacts of it on fibromyalgia but with this new information, it makes more sense as to why it may work for me.
Each body is different. I will continue my research, expanding my knowledge and getting in touch with amazing practitioners to help me along my way. Yes, I am not particularly looking forward to having my period again. But, with magnesium on standby, I will survive the discomfort (who knew magnesium could help with pain!). I have made menstrual pads of organic, undyed cotton/bamboo and PUL material. I am ready. Goodness knows how long I will have to wait for the toxicity to leave my body to be replaced by natural hormonal balances. I can tell you this, my libido is already making a comeback!
Disclaimer: I do not endorse one method or another. I strongly encourage you to read up, become informed, and make the best decision for you. This is only a recount of my experiences and discoveries.
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