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Balancing Hormones Naturally After Birth Control

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Balancing Hormones Naturally After Birth Control

Balancing Hormones Naturally After Birth Control

How I Balanced my Hormones After Going off Hormonal Birth Control Pills!

After being on birth control pills for about 8 consecutive years, I started noticing hormonal issues. The biggest issue I experienced was heavy spotting lasting from ovulation to menstruation caused by thinning endometrial lining (a common side effect of long term birth control use). After discussions with my doctor, we decided it was best for me personally to take a break from hormonal birth control pills. These are the tips I used to help support my body during the transition off of hormonal birth control pills.

Before I go any further, I just want to make it clear that birth control is a personal decision that should be made with a medical physician. I am not advocating for or against birth control pills. I’m sharing some tips that may work well for balancing hormones and minimizing the effects of hormonal birth control for anyone currently using hormonal birth control or anyone who is transitioning to natural birth control.

Replenish Depleted Nutrients

Prolonged hormonal birth control pill use commonly depletes the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, folic acid, and magnesium. If you’re on birth control or recently stopped taking birth control pills, it can be beneficial to focus on increasing foods rich in these vitamins.

One easy way to get some extra vitamins and minerals into your diet is to focus on eating whole foods that are primarily plant-based. Packaged and processed foods are void of nutrients, so switching to eating more whole foods including fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds is an easy way to up your vitamin and mineral intake. Every once in a while I input my daily food intake into cronometer to track my vitamin and mineral intake. This is an awesome tool that shows if you if you’ve met your daily needs for each vitamin and mineral, and also shows you your highest food sources for each nutrient so you can focus on ensuring you’re meeting each nutrient requirement. If you’ve been on hormonal birth control I suggest paying extra attention to the nutrients mentioned above to ensure you are meeting those requirements and replenishing your stores.

Herbal Support

Herbs can be used to support your body naturally. I have been loving the Women’s Mena & Meno Balance Formula by Nova Scotia Organics. This USDA certified organic herbal blend is made with dong quai extract, shatavari, siberian ginseng, red clover flower, black cohosh and chaste tree powder. All of these herbs have been known to help balance women’s hormones. I have been taking this supplement for a few months now and I have been noticing a huge difference! I got my first period post birth control pills right on schedule and I believe it is partly due to taking this herbal support. I have also been noticing a reduction in cramps each month with taking this supplement.

This supplement is great to support hormones after taking birth control. It’s also great for the transition into menopause. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider or nutritionist before taking new supplements. Check out Nova Scotia Organics for more information.

Balancing Hormones Naturally After Birth Control

Liver Support

Supporting your liver can be super beneficial to ensure you are detoxifying excess hormones effectively. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage are great for assisting with detoxification.  Lemon water in the morning, dandelion tea, and milk thistle are also very supportive of the liver.

Since making the choice to stop hormonal birth control pills, I have been focusing on adding cruciferous vegetables into my diet each day. Every morning in my breakfast smoothie I add a handful of kale or swiss chard. Sometimes I also add in some frozen cauliflower. This ensures I always start my day with some form of cruciferous vegetables. Throughout the day I also try to add in an extra form of cruciferous vegetables with shredded cabbage in my salads or broccoli with dinner.

Seed Cycling

I started seed cycling a few months before switching off of birth control pills. Seed cycling is said to help balance hormones and increases your consumption of necessary vitamins and minerals that support your hormonal system. From day 1 to day 14 you consume 1 tablespoon each of ground flax seeds and ground pumpkin seeds. From day 15 to day 28, you consume 1 tablespoon each of ground sesame seeds and ground sunflower seeds.

I have been having a smoothie each morning for breakfast, so it’s a great time for me to easily add in my ground seeds. You could also sprinkle your seeds over granola or oatmeal bowls, or over salads. For more information on seed cycling, check out this great resource.

I hope you find these tips helpful for balancing hormones naturally after birth control. Whether you’re transitioning to natural birth control, or still taking hormonal birth control pills, these tips can help support your body and hormones naturally. Check out my recipe page for tons of great recipes that are all made with nourishing, nutrient dense whole foods.

Please make sure to consult a health care provider with any questions about your personal health.

Balancing Hormones Naturally After Birth Control

Classic Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

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Chia Seed Pudding!

vegan chia seed pudding

vegan chia seed pudding

Chia Seed Pudding is so versatile and full of nutrients. The chia seeds and plant milk in this recipe add protein, while the chia seeds add tons of omega 3’s and fibre to your day. You can also add coconut milk kefir for some probiotics. I chose vanilla for a classic and simple flavour that can be paired with any toppings, but you can also play around with the recipe and add cocoa or peanut butter.

This pudding is a great breakfast that will leave you feeling full for longer, but is so delicious it can be eaten for dessert too! I like to eat this pudding by itself or served with some fresh fruit or shredded coconut for breakfast or a mid-morning snack. It is also delicious added to yogurt or served over warm oats. This would be perfect for a healthy dessert with fresh fruit and whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup.

For more snack ideas, try my Healthy Toasted Granola or Banana Chocolate Chunk Muffins!

Tag me and follow along on Instagram @livesimplyhealthy for more healthy recipes and nutrition tips!

Classic Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

Laura Brining
A quick and easy Classic Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup plant milk
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1-2 tablespoons additional plant milk if desired

Instructions
 

  • Stir 1 cup plant milk, chia seeds, vanilla, and cinnamon in a jar or container. Cover and place in the fridge for at least two hours or up to overnight.
  • Remove pudding from the fridge.
  • Serve as is or stir in an additional 1-2 tablespoons of plant milk if you desire a thinner consistency.
  • Serve with fresh fruit or your favourite toppings.

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The Importance of Listening to Your Body

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Today, for the first time in a very long time I reduced my weights during my workout. I am not feeling 100% and I think I might be getting a cold. At the end of the semester and heading into exam week, it’s normal to be feeling exhausted and ready for a break. When you are so used to constantly pushing yourself and striving for your best, it can be difficult to listen to what your body needs.

Listening to your body is so important.

Not only does this prevent injury, but it allows you to recover and become stronger. Your body really does know best. It knows when you need a break and it knows when you need to take it easy.

It’s okay to take a couple rest days. It’s okay to go easy during your workout, to lighten your weights or reduce your miles. Listening to what your body needs is the best thing you can do to for yourself.

This also goes for nutrition. If you are hungry, it means you need to eat. I know this seems blatantly obvious, but there are still many people who think you need to limit your calories to a specific number each day. There’s no magic number of calories you need. Your body is constantly changing and growing. Every day is different. If you are hungry, it means you need food. Your body needs fuel to repair muscles and to recover. It needs fuel for strength. It needs fuel for growth. If you are hungry, you need to eat.

I understand it can be difficult to listen to what your body needs, especially when you want to push yourself to reach new goals. Listening to yourself is part of the process and part of your growth. Remember to listen to your body. It always knows what’s best for you.