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things I wish I knew before taking birth control: part 7

balancing hormones birth control fertility

Let’s continue the series: Things I Knew Before Taking Birth Control. A friendly reminder, there is no 

judgement or shaming here, and any such comments will be removed.

 

When I was on the pill, I developed prediabetes. I struggled with excess weight, blood sugar highs and lows, mood swings that come with it, insatiable cravings, and more.

 

Little did I know:

 

↬Both "lo" and high versions of combination pills cause impaired glucose tolerance and low beta-cell function, and increase users' risk of diabetes. (Watanabe et al)

 

↬Use of oral contraceptives for 6+ months during reproductive years is a significant risk factor for developing diabetes. (Brighten)

 

↬Of those that do get diagnosed with diabetes, pill users get diagnosed at a younger age. (Brighten)

 

Thinking about why this is:

 

↬Hormonal contraceptives (HCs) increase inflammation. Our bodies produce cortisol in response, which raises blood sugar. Relatively high levels of synthetic estrogen in HCs also increase cortisol. HCs can also cause cortisol resistance, causing us to make even more cortisol. Cortisol is catabolic we’re also releasing fatty acids into the bloodstream, making it hard for our cells to utilize glucose.

 

↬Then we have iron. Placebo pills contain as much as 75 mg. Excess iron can cause failure of beta-cells, which produce insulin. Iron also stimulates fat cells, making it difficult for cells to utilize glucose. Insulin resistance and pancreatic problems can ensue.

 

Allow me to ponder: Could this have anything to do with the development of PCOS post-pill?

 

The possible cycle:

 

Insulin resistance is a hallmark of PCOS. High insulin causes the ovaries to produce androgens like testosterone. High insulin also inhibits the secretion of sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which keeps extra testosterone in check. Excess androgens are another hallmark of PCOS.

 

What I’m getting at here is, there are probably more dots to connect. And for me, understanding this information connected many.

 

Hopefully this was enlightening, especially if you’re someone struggling with the “why” behind your experiences.💗

___

Not medical advice.

 

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References

Brighten, J. (2019). Beyond the Pill. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

 

Corporate Europe Observatory. (2019). Toxic lobbying: the titanium dioxide label debate continues. Retrieved from: https://corporateeurope.org/en/2019/06/toxic-lobbying-titanium-dioxide-label-debate-continues#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organisation's%20International,carcinogen%20when%20it%20is%20inhaled.

 

CowsEatGrass. (2018). PUFAs Poison The Pancreas. Retrieved from: https://cowseatgrass.org/2018/09/25/sweetbreads/.

 

Drugs.com. (2019). Microgestin Fe. Retrieved from: https://www.drugs.com/pro/microgestin-fe-1-20.html#:~:text=Each%20brown%20tablet%20contains%2075%20mg%20ferrous%20fumarate.)&text=Fe%201.5%2F30-,(Each%20green%20tablet%20contains%201.5%20mg%20norethindrone%20acetate%20and%2030,contains%2075%20mg%20ferrous%20fumarate.).

FDA. (2017). Estrostep Fe. Retrieved from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/020130s018lbl.pdf.

 

FDA. (2017). LO/OVRAL-28* AND FERROUS FUMARATE Tablets. Retrieved from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/017612s043,018206s021lbl.pdf.

 

GoodRx. Lo Minastrin Fe. Retrieved from: https://www.goodrx.com/lo-minastrin-fe/what-is.

 

Harrar, S. (2019). Insulin Resistance Causes and Symptoms. Retrieved from: https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/type-2-diabetes/insulin-resistance-causes-symptoms#:~:text=One%20in%20three%20Americans%E2%80%94including,attacks%2C%20strokes2%20and%20cancer.

 

Jardim, N. (2020). Fix Your Period. London, UK: Penguin Random House.

 

Live Science Facts. (2011). 7 Surprising Facts About the Pill. Retrieved from: https://www.livescience.com/14691-surprising-birth-control-pill-facts.html.

 

Lo Loestrin Fe. How to Take Lo Loestrin Fe. Retrieved from: https://www.loloestrin.com/taking-lo-loestrin.

 

Peat, R. (2006). Diabetes, scleroderma, oils and hormones. Retrieved from: http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/diabetes.shtml.

 

Peat, R. (2006). Immunodeficiency, dioxins, stress, and the hormones. Retrieved from: http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/immunodeficiency.shtml.

 

Peat, R. (2012). Glucose and sucrose for diabetes. Retrieved from: http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/glucose-sucrose-diabetes.shtml.

 

Peat, R. (2012). Sugar Issues. Retrieved from: https://raypeat.com/articles/articles/sugar-issues.shtml.

 

Henshaw, A. Is it Safe to Take Iron Supplements While on the Birth Control Pill?. Retrieved from: https://www.nurx.com/faq/is-it-safe-to-take-iron-supplements-while-on-birth-control/.

 

Robbins, M. (2013). 2013: The Year Of Magnesium. Retrieved from: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/2013-the-year-of-magnesium/.

 

Robbins, M. (2013). Morley on "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" Show. Retrieved from: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/morley-on-livin-la-vida-low-carb-show/.

 

Robbins, M. (2013). Sugar Causes Heart Disease… What?!?… Retrieved from: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/sugar-causes-heart-disease-what/.

 

Robbins, M. (2016). Iron Toxicity Post #24: Diabetes is NOT a medical disease!. Retrieved from: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/iron-toxicity-post-24/.

 

Robbins, M. (2016). Iron Toxicity Post #40: Medication can cause iron induced oxidative stress!. Retrieved from: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/mag-pie-alert-40-toxicity-of-iron/.

 

Robbins, M. (2018). Iron Toxicity Post #71: There is no iron deficiency anemia on planet earth, but there is a pandemic of anemia adiponectin deficiency. Retrieved from: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/iron-toxicity-post-71/.

 

Roden, M. Price, T.B. Perseghin, G. Petersen, K.F. Rothman, D.L. Cline, G.W. Shulman, G.I. (1996). Mechanism of free fatty acid-induced insulin resistance in humans. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC507380/.

 

RxList. (2018). Junel Fe. Retrieved from: https://www.rxlist.com/junel-fe-drug.htm#:~:text=Junel%20Fe%201.5%2F30&text=Each%20brown%20tablet%20contains%2075%20mg%20ferrous%20fumarate.

 

RxList. (2019). Yaz (Drospirenone). Retrieved from: https://www.rxlist.com/yaz-drug.htm.

 

Simcox, J.A. McClain, D.A. (2013). Iron and Diabetes Risk. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550413113000557.

 

US Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Talc. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/talc.

 

Watanabe, R.M. Azen, C.G. Roy, S. Perlman, J.A. Bergman, R.N. (1994). Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7962320/.

 

 

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.