Since I talk about the effects of hormonal birth control and how to transition off so frequently, I often get asked about the copper IUD. I had the copper IUD for seven years since I wanted a non-hormonal form of birth control and wasn't ready to rely 100% on the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) yet. In this post, I'll be sharing the history of the copper IUD, how it impacts the body, possible side effects, and how to be healthy with a copper IUD.

History of the Copper IUD

The first IUD was made in 1909 by a German physician Richard Richter. His IUD was made of silkworm gut but wasn't widely used (wonder why). IUDs started to get more popular in the US in the 1950s as they began to improve the design making them easier to insert and remove. The copper IUD was invented in the 1960s and made the T-shape design more popular since it fit better inside the uterus, and would reduce the rates of IUD expulsion (cringe). The physician that invented the copper IUD, Howard Tatum,...

Hormonal birth control (HBC) has been a big part of my health journey and morphed my career path, and is something that has impacted many of my clients' lives as well. This isn't surprising since 80% of women will take the pill at some point in their lifetime (1).

I don't want any woman EVER to feel bad about taking hormonal birth control. I took it for seven years and then had a copper IUD, and I don't regret it. This allowed me to avoid pregnancy while finishing college and starting my career. I have since adopted and successfully use the Fertility Awareness Method, but that's a whole other post. My goal with this post is to teach you how HBC impacts the body since I was not told this by my doctor so that you can be informed.

To be honest, the pill was revolutionary for women, but at this point, I think we deserve a better option. Something that won't shut off our hormones and potentially cause health problems in the future.

Dr. Jolene Brighten puts it best in her new...

Hormonal birth control or HBC, as I like to refer to it, has a long list of side effects that not enough people talk about. I certainly was not warned about the increased risk of depression, migraines, or breast cancer risk. If you're wondering what hormonal birth control includes, I wrote a blog post on all of the different types and how they work in the body here. 

As I always say, I am not hating on hormonal birth control. The birth control pill was a huge step for women and truly changed the future for us. My issue is that it hasn't progressed, and women deserve better. YOU deserve better. You also deserve to be informed, especially if you're currently taking hormonal birth control like the pill. 

Read on to learn about the potential side effects of hormonal birth control. 

Side Effects of Hormonal Birth Control

There are several different types of HBC that I cover in this post. Many of them have similar side effects, while others have more severe...

When women find themselves diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), one of the first treatment options they’re often offered is the pill. And, it’s no surprise - hormonal birth control is the most common treatment for PCOS within conventional medicine. 

But, it may not be the best. 

If you haven’t read my first post on understanding PCOS (here) or my second on PCOS and insulin resistance (here), be sure to check those out first!

When it comes to the pill and its relationship with polycystic ovarian syndrome, there is a lot to unpack. That’s why I’ve put together the six main points you should know and consider before getting started on the pill to manage your polycystic ovarian syndrome. 

Do I think the pill isn’t a good choice for anyone? Of course not - all treatment options work differently for different patients, but understanding the risks and benefits of each is important when making the decision on which is best...

Are you nervous about getting off the pill or having an IUD removed? I get it. I've been there. Unfortunately, I didn't have the knowledge that I have now when I came off the pill. 

This led to me not getting a period for 10 months, developing Post Pill PCOS, and completely changed the trajectory of my life and career. 

You might be freaked out about getting off the pill or getting your IUD out, but once you reconnect with your body's natural cycles and regain your sanity it will be SO worth it. 

What You Need To Know Before Getting Off HBC

In order to transition off of hormonal birth control with minimal side effects and to regain your menstrual cycle there are four main areas you want to focus on:

1. Stress management

2. Liver support

3. Beneficial gut bacteria

4. Replenishing nutrient deficiencies

I'm going to walk you through each area and share tips you can discuss with your doctor before transitioning off. I also want to mention that you can apply...