Why I Quit Hormonal Birth Control

Am I the Only One Who Once Thought Birth Control Was Basically a Vitamin?

I used to think birth control was just something you were supposed to be on. It felt like a given—everyone talked about it like it was no big deal. So many of us start it as teens or young adults because someone told us it would help with our skin, our periods, our mood. No one really talks about the risks. No one warns you about what it actually does to your body.

It didn’t feel like a medication—it felt like a multivitamin. Simple. Normal. Necessary.

But once I started digging deeper, researching, and talking to other women, I realized there’s so much more to hormonal birth control that we aren’t taught.

The Truth About the “Period” on the Pill

Let’s clear something up: you don’t have a real period on hormonal birth control. The bleed you get is a withdrawal bleed, not a natural menstrual cycle. Why? Because birth control is made up of synthetic steroid hormones that shut down your body’s production of its own estrogen and progesterone—two hormones that play critical roles in your overall health.

Your body doesn’t just use estrogen and progesterone for reproduction. These hormones impact blood pressure, sleep, mood, energy, metabolism, bone health, and more.

When you're on birth control, you're overriding your natural hormonal rhythm—and in doing so, you're also silencing one of your body’s most important health indicators: your cycle.

Your Period Is a Report Card for Your Health

When you have a real, natural period, you can actually learn from it. Irregular periods are often a sign that something deeper is going on. Hormonal imbalances, blood sugar issues, inflammation, thyroid problems—these can all show up through your menstrual cycle. In fact, irregular cycles are linked to higher risks of:

- Cancer

- Infertility

- Osteoporosis

- Anxiety & depression

- Diabetes

- Heart disease

Your cycle is like a built-in check engine light. Covering that up with synthetic hormones might temporarily make things feel easier, but it can also mask bigger issues.

Birth Control for Acne: A Temporary Fix with Long-Term Frustration

So many of my clients have been prescribed birth control for acne. And yes, it can temporarily help by suppressing androgen activity (those are the hormones that increase oil production). But once you stop the pill? Your body often rebounds, producing even more androgens than before. Cue the acne flare-ups—often worse than when you started.

I see it all the time. Clients come to me after being told birth control (or spironolactone, another common band-aid) would "fix" their skin. Then they go off the medication, and they’re right back where they started—or even further behind. And often, they're also dealing with mood swings, hormonal chaos, and confusion about what's actually going on in their bodies.

Here’s the truth: you don’t need birth control to manage hormonal acne.

So What’s the Real Solution?

Hormonal acne isn’t that different from other types of acne. The same bacteria is involved. The main difference? Androgens increase oil production, which can clog pores more frequently. That’s where targeted skincare, lifestyle support, and understanding your skin's biology come into play.

You can manage acne-prone skin without prescription drugs. You can balance your hormones naturally. You can have a healthy, real period that supports your overall well-being.

A Quick Disclaimer

I’m not a doctor, and I’m definitely not here to tell anyone to stop taking their medication. I understand that birth control is an important tool for preventing pregnancy and that it’s a personal choice. I’m simply pointing out the potential downsides when it’s used as a bandaid rather than addressing the root causes of acne or hormonal imbalance.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re curious (and I hope you are), here are some incredible resources that helped me start to understand this complex topic better:

Websites:

- [Lindsay Rose Nutrition](https://www.lindsayrosenutrition.com)

- [Fertility Friday](https://www.fertilityfriday.com)

- [Me by Katie](https://www.mebykatie.com)

Books:

- *The 5th Vital Sign* by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

- *Period Repair Manual* by Lara Briden, ND

- *Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook* by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

Let’s Talk About Your Skin

While I’m not an expert in hormones or birth control, I am an expert in managing acne-prone skin through customized skincare and effective, non-toxic treatments. If your skin is struggling—especially post-pill—I’d love to help.

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Let’s heal your skin from the outside and the inside.