For many women it is a familiar story: you start taking the pill at a young age. Maybe because you suffered from acne, irregular or painful periods, or simply because it was recommended as an easy form of birth control. Sometimes without too much explanation of exactly what the pill does to your body.
By now we are years down the road. You are grown, more conscious of your health, and you suddenly ask yourself that one question, "What does the pill actually do to my body? And if I stop ... what will happen to my hormones, my cycle, my skin, my energy?"
This search, often prompted by intuition or health complaints, is very recognizable. De-pilling is not a trend. It is a choice that stems from self-care, awareness and the desire to get back in touch with your natural cycle. But it is also a process that requires time and attention.
What does the pill actually do?
The birth control pill is a combination of synthetic hormones - usually ethinylestradiol (estrogen) and a form of progestogen. These hormones suppress your natural cycle. Your ovaries are "turned off," you don't have a real ovulation, and the period you experience during the stop week is actually not a real period, but a withdrawal bleed.
So the pill not only suppresses your fertility, but affects your entire hormonal system - including your mood, libido, digestion and skin. This effect is subtly noticeable for years, but often only becomes apparent once you stop.
Why are more and more women choosing to quit?
Taking the pill was taken for granted for many women for many years, but that is changing. More and more women are consciously choosing to stop. The reasons vary, but these are the most common:
- Because they no longer want synthetic hormones in their bodies
- Because they suffer side effects such as mood swings, fatigue or headaches
- Because they want to feel what their bodies are really doing without hormonal contraception
- Or because they have a desire to have children
Whatever the reason: quitting the pill is not a "button" you just flip. Many women find that symptoms that once prompted starting the pill - such as acne, PMS, painful periods - come back in full force. Sometimes even getting worse.
What's happening in your body during de-pill?
After quitting, your body has to learn to function again, so to speak. Your natural hormone production resumes, but this usually does not happen overnight.
On average, it takes 6 months to 1 year for your cycle to stabilize. In the meantime, you may suffer from:
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
- Acne or oily skin
- Fatigue or mood swings
- Swollen breasts or sensitive bowels
- A decreased or just increased libido
This is perfectly normal. Your body is resetting. And that takes energy.
How does the pill affect your health?
The pill can contribute in the long term to various disturbances in the body, such as:
- Leggage of vitamins and minerals, especially B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, selenium and folic acid
- Disrupted gut microbiome (which in turn affects your skin, mood and resistance)
- Increased burden on the liver, which must continually break down synthetic hormones
- Impact on your thyroid function, stress response and insulin sensitivity
That's why it's so important to properly support your body during de-pill - with nutrition, rest, supplements and attention to your hormonal system.
Here's how to support your body during de-pill
Below are our tips for supporting your body after quitting the pill:
1. Support your liver
Your liver had to process synthetic hormones all these years. Now give it some extra love:
- Limit alcohol, coffee and processed foods
- Eat liver-supporting foods such as bitter vegetables (chicory, artichoke, arugula), turmeric and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower)
- Consider supplements such as NAC or milk thistle (preferably under supervision)
- Use natural skin care products as much as possible. After all, all toxic substances must also be excreted by the liver.
2. Eat the right building blocks
Virtually all major hormones are made from amino acids (proteins) and cholesterol (fats).
- Eat plenty of healthy fats, such as from avocado, oily fish, extra virgin olive oil
- Provide enough protein at every meal, such as from grass-fed meat, eggs or poultry
- Add foods with omega-3, such as wild fish, flaxseed, walnuts or supplements
3. Supplement deficits
The pill may have depleted important nutrients. Supplement with:
- Magnesium for relaxation and recovery
- Vitamin B complex (especially B6, B12 and folic acid)
- Zinc, essential for skin and hormone balance
- Vitamin C for your energy level
4. Work on your gut health
A healthy gut flora is crucial to your hormone balance:
- Eat high-fiber foods, fermented products (sauerkraut, kefir) and limit sugar
- Try a quality pre/probiotic
- Avoid unnecessary antibiotics
- Chew well and eat consciously - food is best digested in the "rest & digest" state, or "rest" state
5. Lower your stress level
Chronic stress affects your hormones and can significantly disrupt your cycle. So rest and relaxation are not a luxury, but a necessity:
- Make time daily for relaxation, such as walking, journaling or breathing exercises
- Go into nature without the distraction of your cell phone, sit in the sun, look around you
- Avoid blue light at bedtime and get at least 8 hours of sleep per night
6. Keep a cycle diary
Write down when your period starts, how you feel, how your skin reacts and if you notice your ovulation. This is how you get to know your natural cycle again.
Summary
Quitting the pill is a choice that comes with curiosity as well as uncertainty. What will happen in my body? How long will it take for everything to return to "normal"? The answer is: every body is different, but you can do a lot yourself to support recovery.
With the right diet, supplements, lifestyle and most importantly: patience, you can get your natural cycle back. Not overnight - but step by step, with more and more connection to your own body.
Want to know how to properly use supplements during the depilatory period? Or which products we recommend? Then request our free supplement consultation .
