- Birth control pills deplete selenium, zinc, and the amino acid tyrosine from our bodies. These are all vitamins and minerals that are necessary for proper thyroid function!
- The hormones in birth control pills suppress our own body’s production of estrogen and progesterone through a negative feedback loop mechanism. Birth control pills flood our bodies with high doses of artificial estrogen and progesterone, causing our production of natural hormones to turn off, preventing ovulation, and thinning the unterine lining. This can lead to a hormonal imbalance such as estrogen dominance.
- Birth control pills increase the risk of blood clots and strokes. The risk greatly increases after age 35 and for women who smoke.
- Birth control pills can thin our bones, leading to osteoporosis.
- Oral contraceptives stimulate a shift from the Th1 to the Th2 immune branch. This can produce an imbalance of the immune system, perpetuating autoimmune conditions.
- Birth control pills can change our normal flora, allowing yeast and other pathogenic organisms to thrive.
- Women who take birth control pills have an altered preference to mates, due to the change in hormones.
- Birth control pills increase the risk of breast, ovarian, and liver cancers.
- Birth control pills impair our ability to build muscle, despite exercise.
- Birth control pills can decrease sexual desire by suppressing testosterone. (Yes, women produce small amounts of testosterone too.)
- High doses of estrogen contained in birth control pills increase the activity of TBG (Thyroxine Binding Globulin), which binds thyroid hormone. More circulating TBG leads to lower levels of free thyroid hormone available for use by the body.
- Many oral contraceptives contain lactose as an inactive filler. This may be an issue for many individuals with food intolerances and for women with Hashimoto’s who often present with dairy and gluten intolerances.
- Birth control pills lower our DHEA production. DHEA has been described as an anti-aging hormone, and many conditions, including autoimmune conditions, have been associated with low DHEA levels.
- Birth control pills deplete our bodies of folate, B12, and B6 vitamins. A deficiency in any of these may results in anemia, birth defects during pregnancy, depression, and other serious conditions.