This episode has been a long time coming. It was my decision to get off birth control after reading the book In The Flo by Alisa Vitti, which was honestly a staple in my personal growth and my growth as a woman to learn more about my body.
Through this book I learned that when the body goes through the menstruation for people who are on birth control, it’s not even a real period. That was all I needed to know, I started really taking a closer look at my periods and looking inward. 

What are the long term side effects of hormonal birth control?

• Damaged microbiome – hormonal birth control acts just like an antibiotic in your gut, destroying the essential microbiome balance. The impact of the pill on the microbiome will last long after you stop taking it without actions to replenish good gut bacteria. -  After being off birth control for a year and a half I’m finally not experiencing any IBS symptoms. 
• Increased inflammation – if you are prescribed the pill for common period problems, you should know that those issues result from hormonal imbalance and inflammation in the body. The pill does not treat these root causes, but can mask the symptoms you experience.  -  When I got off birth control I noticed more inflammation in my body and weight gain.  The way your weight fluctuates though your cycle is astounding to me.  
• Micronutrient deficiency – hormonal birth control prevents the absorption of micronutrients, vitamins and minerals, which have short and long term impacts on your health.  -  I now get monthly IV therapy. It has helped put these vitamins back into my body that I was missing from being on birth control.
• Suppressed ovulation –  consistent ovulation protects women’s long term health. Hormonal birth control suppresses ovulation. Suppressing ovulation has long term consequences, even if ovulation returns shortly after you come off the medication. - Ovulation should be happening around day 10-14, but it’s been very hard to me to track, likely because of my years of being on birth control. 
• Masked reproductive health issues – the pill is not a real treatment for reproductive health issues. Hormonal birth control can help manage symptoms for some women, but it is only a band-aid solution. - This sticks out to me so much. For people who suffer from endometriosis or PCOS, birth control is such an easy thing for a doctor to prescribe and not really hear you or the things you’re dealing with. 

Getting off of birth control really brought a new level to our sex life. Since I know a person can only get pregnant during the ovulation phase, I’m able to not have penetrative sex during that time. Which means we get to be creative with our sex life.
The biggest side effect I experienced from coming off of birth control was the weight gain. I’ve learned to love my body in whatever condition it’s in.
I’m now able to feel my emotions more. I’m embracing and embodying my feelings, not trying to push it back or push through it, but am really feeling into the emotions.
I can see things brighter. I feel lighter, I can see more, and I feel so proud of myself for speaking up and advocating for myself.

Resources
Sexual Confidence Academy
Flo Living Article
Everlywell Testing Kit

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