FOUR

I’ve seen it time and time again. Someone goes on the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) for their skin as a teenager, conveniently becomes a use for contraception, and they don’t stop taking it until they find ‘the one’ and want to have babies 10-15 years later.

For some, they will fall pregnant almost instantly. For others, especially the ones who have been on higher oestrogen doses (E.g. Brands like Jasmin, Dianne, Estelle, Jaz) it can take a lot longer to find their fertility again.

Ask your doctor. They will say it is safe to continuously take the pill for long periods of time. How many of you were informed about the common risks and side-effects of having your own perfectly working hormones suppressed by a drug?

What’s so bad you say? It prevents an unwanted pregnancy. Yes, and there are so many alternatives to avoiding pregnancy that work. It just takes some mindful body awareness. Getting to know your body and your cycle, should, in my opinion, be taught in primary school, around the time when girls are beginning to menstruate. It is not yucky, it is a cycle that should be honoured and rejoiced as a pathway into womanhood. It is unfortunate in our society such sacred cycles of life are taboo and considered an inconvenience.

Short-term effects of the pill might include-

Nausea

Headaches/Migraines

Bloating

Weight gain

Breast tenderness

Feeling very emotional (crying a lot more than usual)

Impaired glucose tolerance- ever felt ‘hangry’ (hungry + angry)? This might be due to your body not being able to uptake glucose as effectively as usual. The pill can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose and insulin. The result? Hungry, tired, possibly hangry ladies.

What can the pill do if taken long-term?

Nutrient deficiencies- Numerous deficiencies tend to occur, mainly because the pill requires so many extra nutrients in order to be metabolised. Common deficiencies are Magnesium (many headache sufferers are low in Magnesium), Zinc (part of glucose tolerance factor), Vitamin B3, B6, B12 (all essential for energy production and maintaining healthy blood). Can you see some common links here?

High prolactin levels- prolactin is a hormone secreted in the brain. It stimulates mammary gland development during pregnancy readying the breast for milk production. This is good if you’re a breastfeeding mother. Not so good if you are trying to conceive. High prolactin levels can prevent ovulation. Without ovulation, there is no egg to be fertilised. Prolactin also opposes the hormone dopamine. Dopamine is one of our ‘feel good’ hormones. Low levels of dopamine are often associated with PMS-D (depression). High prolactin levels have also been associated with decreased libido in both males and females.

Increased amount of circulating inflammatory markers- when the body is inflamed, the immune system is constantly on guard. It is ready to attack. The body is very smart. It essentially prioritises certain body systems to conserve the rest. For example- If the immune system is in overdrive, the reproductive system gets less blood flow. The body believes it needs to attack, so it may halter the reproductive system while it continues defending the rest of the body. This is merely ONE possible effect from high amounts of circulating inflammatory markers. Often this type of inflammation can cause such non-specific symptoms, that it may not be diagnosed as anything apart from tiredness or just feeling a bit bleh. Long –term effects of inflammation could certainly be linked to some types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, kidney , liver and thyroid disorders.

(These are just a few possible long-term effects that I feel are most relevant to fertility. There are so many more on the list!)

Now for the part I feel everyone needs to know. I was warned about it when I stopped taking the pill in my early 20’s.

It may make or break your current relationship.

Sounds strange, but let me explain.

Boy meets girl. You were on the pill for contraception. Your hormones were being suppressed. You were ok with that because you wanted to avoid pregnancy.

Years later, for whatever reason you decide to come off the pill. You start to feel great, you lose weight, you sleep better and wake more refreshed. You don’t feel hung over after just one glass of red, and you haven’t had a headache in ages!

BUT…

Your partner starts seeing you differently. He says ‘you’ve changed’. Because you’re feeling so good, you think this statement is a good thing right?

Your body chemistry changes when you are on/off the pill. The difference between having somewhat balanced hormones or suppressed ones, can be the maker or breaker. 

Your partner may love the new you, and you go on, have babies without an issue.

Others, well let’s just say it just doesn’t work out. The sparkle doesn’t happen anymore. The attraction leaves and no babies are made!

Then, I think there are the others, where they stay together happily, but the pill has messed up the woman’s hormones so much, it takes what feels like an eternity to get her fertility back. If at all. Serious sad face. 

This is Part One in a series of blogs on fertility. Subscribe to find out more!