Supporting Your Body After Birth Control

Coming off hormonal birth control can feel really different from person to person.

Some women transition off with very few symptoms, while others notice things like:

• irregular cycles

• acne

• mood changes

• painful periods

• bloating

• fatigue

• hair loss

• changes in libido 

This is often referred to as post-birth control syndrome, though what’s really happening is that the body is trying to reestablish its own hormone production and balance after synthetic hormones have been suppressing natural signaling.

While this process can take time, there are ways to support your body through the transition.

One thing I always remind clients is that healing hormonal imbalances after birth control does not happen overnight. 

It can take around 4-6 months for synthetic hormones to fully clear and for the body to begin reestablishing normal communication between the brain, ovaries, adrenals, liver, and gut.

Here are the things I would recommend focusing on if you are planning to transition off of hormonal birth control:

Support Drainage Pathways First

Because it can take several months for the synthetic hormones to be flushed out of the body while your own production is also ramping back up, it can be a game changer to support detoxification and drainage pathways during this phase.

1. Prioritize Daily Bowel Movements + Hydration

If hormones are processed through the liver but not properly eliminated through the stool, they can get recirculated back into the body.

This is one reason constipation can contribute to hormone symptoms.

Supporting regular bowel movements is foundational.

Things that help:

• adequate hydration

• daily electrolytes

• fiber-rich foods

• movement

• magnesium support when appropriate

2. Sweat Regularly

Sweating is another supportive drainage pathway.

Regular movement that helps circulation and lymphatic flow can be incredibly beneficial. 

Saunas and/or heated work out classes 2-3 times per week are another great way to boost blood flow, circulation, lymph flow, and overall detoxification.

3. Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil packs can be a really helpful tool for supporting circulation, lymphatic flow, digestion, and liver support.

4. Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy may support mitochondrial health, inflammation, tissue healing, and overall cellular function.

It can be a supportive addition during the transition off birth control, especially for energy, skin health, and recovery.

Focus on Nutrients That Support Hormone Clearance

The birth control pill is known to deplete several key nutrients. This is one reason many women feel depleted coming off of it.

A nutrient dense diet can go a long way in supporting recovery.

Some of the biggest nutrient depletions we commonly support after hormonal birth control include B vitamins, magnesium, and selenium.

Some foods we love emphasizing during this phase:

• cruciferous vegetables

• broccoli sprouts

• flax seeds

• berries

• eggs

• nuts and seeds (especially pumpkin and sunflower seeds)

These foods provide important nutrients and compounds that support estrogen metabolism, liver function, gut health, and inflammation balance.

It could also be supportive to get on a good quality multivitamin and magnesium glycinate.

If you want to learn more about post-birth control syndrome and how we approach it in practice, check out Episode 241: Post-Birth Control Syndrome from The Funk’tional Nutrition Podcast.

If you are currently thinking about coming off or hormonal birth control or have already made the jump and want individualized support, we’d love to work with you in our 1:1 Functional C.A.R.E Method™.