Post-Hormonal Contraception (HC) Syndrome, widely known as ‘Post Pill Syndrome’ (PPS) is made up of various symptoms that occur when you stop taking it.
These can take months to appear. They're usually symptoms that you may have already experienced before Hormonal contraception (HC), along with some new ones that HC has caused in your body.
PPS is temporary, and once you have identified the root of the problem, you can balance your hormones and get back on your feet. Here are some symptoms that you may or may not experience: headaches, mood swings, acne, intestinal dysbiosis, amenorrhea, hypothyroidism, hair loss, post-pill PCOS, infertility, etc.
Don't be afraid of PPS, be calm and patient. Be aware that it is part of a cleansing and re-adaptation process. Your body is recovering from a drug that has been interfering with your system for a long time. Sometimes years. If you experience symptoms from quitting HC, you are absolutely not being ‘dramatic’, it is most probably PPS. It's real and it has a solution.
HCs interrupt your menstrual cycle and prevent ovulation, which is why they are contraceptives in the first place. But putting a stop to ovulation and menstruation doesn't come for free. You're turning off a physiological function, no more, no less. Furthermore, you're replacing your natural hormones with other artificial ones that don't do the same thing or have the same benefits. Consequences: problems with the adrenal glands, liver, intestine and thyroid.
Let's start with the good stuff: Positive effects of stopping Hormonal Contraception (HC)
Besides the obvious benefit of not flooding your body with synthetic hormones, you'll feel the following benefits:
Goodbye anxiety... And hello good mood! Many women notice this soon after they leave them. Anxiety, nervousness and depression disappear. They start to be themselves again.
Sleep*full* nights: Your body relaxes quicker without the anxiety or mood swings. You’ll sleep for longer and better.
My libido is back! This will be one of the things that you notice the most (and celebrate the most, whether you’re alone or in a couple). Sex exists again! Your orgasms come back, you start to lubricate again, no more vaginal dryness or discomfort from penetration.
Energy, energy, and more energy. HCs cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies, nutrients that your cells need in order to produce energy (among other things). When your metabolism goes back to normal, the absorption of nutrients increases, and not only does your energy go up, but so do your hormones.
Vaginal thrush? Cystitis? Infections? Not anymore. Your vagina recovers its’ microbiota, lubrication, and flow, as well as its’ protective barrier against fungi, viruses and harmful bacteria. Many women that take HC experience thrush on a regular basis or urine infections. Once you stop taking them, happy vagina, healthy vagina.
Shake the extra weight off: Although many don’t realise, a very common side effect of HC is weight gain. Whether it's due to water retention, your metabolism slowing down, your body becoming more resistant to insulin, because you're more prone to inflammation, or all of the above. Everything will go back to normal without HC.
What to expect when stopping HC:
You may not experience anything at all. If you took them as contraceptives and your menstrual cycle was originally regular or asymptomatic, they could go back to being like that (or not). Not all women have PPS when they stop taking HC.
Buuuut... If you were taking HC to "treat symptoms", they'll still be there. They may continue to be the same or worse. The pill is not a cure, it acts as a band aid. If you cover up an unhealed wound, then when you uncover it, it's most likely to still be there; it could potentially be worse than before. If you're not going to get to the root of the problem, over time using HCs will usually do more harm than good.
The most common symptoms of PPS are:
1. Post-pill PCOS. When you stop taking HC, you may go through a period of hyperandrogenism. This is especially true if you have taken Yasmin, Yaz, or any other pill containing drospirenone or cyproterone. This is PCOS, if you didn't already have it or symptoms before the HC. Don’t forget that these are temporary effects. Watch your diet, prioritize your sleep and make sure you exercise frequently. If you don't improve in a few months you may need help from a specialist.
2. Heavy bleeding and period cramps. If you started taking HC because of this, there's a good chance you'll find yourself back at square one. The pill (HC) is not a treatment. Trying an anti-inflammatory diet, some supplementation and lots of liver support is always a good place to start.
3. Amenorrhea. Some women may experience amenorrhea (absence of menstruation for more than 3 months) when leaving AH. If your periods were regular before, when you stop HC your period should go back to normal within about three months. If you had amenorrhea or your periods were irregular before the AH, surprise! They're going to remain that way. When you stop taking them, it can take up to 6 months for you to get your period again. After that, you should get tested and tackle the source of the problem.
4. Post-pill acne. Women who had acne before taking HC and used it as a “treatment”, are more likely to experience post-pill acne. A "rebound effect" can occur because the root of the problem is still there and was never treated. What can you do to treat it? Eat more zinc-rich foods, cut down on dairy and gluten, take hormone supplements, eat more fermented foods (e.g. probiotics)... And above all, look for the source of the problem.
5. Mood swings. HC blocks the ‘communication’ between your brain and ovaries. When you stop taking them, it takes time for that connection between the two to readjust. In the meantime, you’ll probably notice mood swings. Your body used to run on "borrowed" hormones, and now it has to learn to produce its’ own. Be kind to yourself, patient and understand that it’s a process. If you cut down on your sugar intake and exercise regularly, you’ll start to notice an improvement. If you find that the mood swings are difficult to manage, then of course make sure you seek advice.
6. Digestive problems. These begin while you’re taking HC. Your metabolism (hello thyroid) often slows down, your body tends to become more resistant to insulin, and your bowel movements become problematic. A.K.A, intestinal and nutrient absorption problems. You may experience slow and heavy digestion, gas, constipation and/or diarrhea, bad breath, bloating… the list goes on. Stopping HC intake could make it a little worse at first, until your body completely elimi
"If a truth comes from the enemy but it’s valid, the doctor must not argue against it, and they must consider it for the patient’s sake." (4) One of Ayurveda’s declarations is that this form of medicine is not closed to external contributions or opinions, it is open to applying medicines from other medical systems and traditions, because its’ focus and sole purpose is on the welfare of the patient.
Undoubtedly a very moral concept, which all health systems should practice. Ayurveda is one of the oldest medicines, with more than 5000 years of antiquity, which has come to conquer the diverse corners of the world with its’ wisdom.
Don’t you know what it is? Discover more about it here...
The origins of Ayurveda
As previously mentioned, it is a medicinal system which originated thousands of years ago, in India. It is believed to have its’ foundations and origins in the Atharvaveda, one of the ancient texts of Hinduism (known as the Vedas). It often mentioned herbs, spells and formulas to treat health problems. It is also believed to refer to the Rig Veda, with its detailed description of different conditions and cures. Moreover, there are those who consider that its true origin is in the texts Caraka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. (2)
Since a lot of this knowledge and text has been verbally shared in the past to the yogi disciples, it is very difficult to be certain of its’ content and origins. Ayurveda itself has undergone many changes over time; perhaps the last, oldest original book being the Bhava Prakash, written more than 400 years ago. After that, the ayurvedic texts weren’t modified to the same extent again. The foundations are not based on the context or the environment, but on the human being and the relation between their body and mind. Independent of habits, civilizations and environment, the relation between the body and mind does not change.
"Those who practiced Ayurveda were at the service of humanity, since their motivation was to alleviate human suffering" (4)
The principles of Ayurveda
The texts referring to Ayurveda, including its’ name, are written in Sanskrit: the language used for all the sacred texts of Hinduism. The term Ayurveda आयुर्वेद comes from āyuh (life) vedá (knowledge), "Knowledge of life". Its’ principles are based on what it considers a universal truth: the connection between the mind, body and soul in a human being which leads to the connection with the universe and nature.
Ayurveda works to achieve harmony between both worlds, the interior and the exterior. It believes that this balance can be achieved through diet, habits and lifestyle (social behaviour, thoughts, exercise, sleep, etc), medicinal herbs, and so on.
Perhaps one of the most outstanding aspects of Ayurveda is that it treats each individual for what he or she is, a unique and particular being; so instead of applying generalized treatments like traditional medicine, it carries out extensive studies of the patient's characteristics to then determine the type of treatment that best suits his or her situation.
In order to determine this, the so-called Doshas are defined, which could be considered in the modern language as biotypes.
What are the Doshas?
According to Ayurveda the 5 senses serve as a portal between the inner and outer worlds and are connected to the 5 elements: air, fire, water, earth and ether. These 5 elements are grouped into 3 types of energy called Doshas: Pitta, Kapha and Vata, which are found in everything that exists in the universe, be it things or people. (2)
The body needs energy to perform 3 basic functions: movement, nutrition/ metabolism and lubrication.
Pitta: Heat - Responsible for digestion, metabolism, nutrition, vision and body temperature. When it is balanced it promotes intelligence, however if it is out of balance it promotes anger, jealousy and ego.
Kapha: Liquid - Responsible for nutrition and the structure of the cells, immune system and joint lubrication. When in balance it shows love and calm, but if out of balance it leads to attachment and envy.
Vata: Movement - Related to the biological activity responsible for the body’s movements, as well as one’s breathing and heartbeat. When balanced, it promotes creativity, while an imbalance leads to fear and anxiety.
Each person has the qualities of these different Doshas, some in a more pure form, that is to say there is one that is predominant, but the majority have a balance or combination of Doshas, that is why the types are often: Pitta-Vata, Vata-Pitta, Kapha-Vata, Kapha-Pitta, Pitta-Kapha, Vata-Kapha.
An imbalance in these energies can cause disease, so Ayurveda seeks to establish balance again. To do this, you need to understand how the Doshas work together in the individual.
While the body is governed by these 3 Doshas, the mind is governed by 3 attributes also called Gunas, these are Satva, Rajas and Tamas. Satva is responsible for kind, joyful and honest thoughts and emotions, Raja for ego, arrogance, desire, love and passion, and Tamas for calmness, sleep and ignorance.
The different aspects of our life, such as food, sleep and activity habits, social relationships, etc. affect the balance of the Doshas. This is why it is important to know what yours is and to seek balance.
How do you balance them? (5)
Vata:
Stay calm.
Avoid cold, frozen or raw foods
Avoid extreme cold
Eat warm and spicy foods
Maintain a regular routine
Get enough rest
Pitta:
Avoid excess heat
Avoid excessive use of oil
Avoid or limit salt intake
Eat cold, raw and not too spicy food
Exercise in the morning or evening (cooler times of day)
Kapha:
Exercise hard
Avoid heavy and dairy foods
Avoid cold food and drinks
Have a varied routine
Avoid greasy or oily foods
Don't take naps during the day
The diagnosis:
As previously mentioned, Ayurveda is based on each individual, according to their specific constitution (doshas) designing exclusive treatments for each one, a diagnosis is made by paying attention to several factors. (2)
1- Root factors: Hetu
2- Early symptoms: Purvaruupa
3- The symptoms: Rupa
4- The individual’s combination of different doshas: Samprapthi
5- Response to certain treatment (medication, diet) to help identify the possible diagnosis: Upasaya
The treatment:
-- The best treatment is ‘Nidana Parivarjana’, i.e. abstaining from the root factors --(2)
Often, the treatment is aims to tackle the cause of the disease, the disease itself, or both. It is made up of 3 factors:
- The diet: Ahara
- Mental and physical behavior (habits): Vihara
- Medicine: Aushadha
The treatment can be Preventive or Curative:
Swasthasyaurjakara: Preventive treatment to promote health in the body and balance between the doshas.
Aturasyaroganut: Treatment to treat the disease or imbalance.
Treatment methods
1- Shodhana: Focuses on cleansing and the elimination of toxic substances through sweating, ointments, purging, etc. One then gradually incorporates food, first liquids and then solids. It is usually prescribed in cases of more severe illness. It is often associated with the cause of the illness.
2- Shamana: The palliative treatment that is done through diet control, fasting, sun exposure, exercise, yoga and medicine. It is often used to treat less severe diseases and aims to tackle symptoms of the disease.
Ayurveda tips for a healthy lifestyle
You can follow these suggestions to help you keep a healthy balance: (1)
- Take care of your diet: nourish your body by adding all the colours of the rainbow or the 6 Ayurvedic flavours (sweet, salty, sweet-and-sour, spicy, bitter) to your dish.
- Get enough rest: try to sleep 7 hours a day. Go to bed at 10 pm and wake up between 4 - 5 am as these are the purest hours of the day.
- Cleanse your body: do regular cleansing and purification to eliminate toxins and waste from the body.
- Self-Care: Wash your face and eyes with warm water, massaging them gently every day.
- Drink fluids: Avoid cold water and add ginger infusions to your daily routine.
- Exercise every day: preferably in the early morning.
- Give yourself body massages with (organic) oil: focusing on the places with nerve endings such as hands and feet.
- Have a light breakfast and dinner: Midday is when the digestive fires are strongest, so it is the best time to have the "strong" meal of the day.
- Do all of your activities with presence: i.e. if you are eating, eat; if you are reading, read; if you are bathing, take a bath. Allow yourself to experience and feel in every moment.
- Practice Yoga and pay attention to your breathing: Be it asanas (postures), meditation or pranayamas (breathing).
- Use herbs that can balance and detoxify your body such as: Triphana, Ashwagandha, Ginger, Turmeric, Neem, Brahmi and Indian pennywort.
One of the best-known medicinal plants in Ayurveda is Aswagandha, an adaptogenic plant that can help you manage stress and anxiety (3), raise your energy levels, boost your immune system and improve memory and overall cognitive system. Learn more about the benefits of Aswagandha in our next blog!
The benefits of this practice go beyond the disease, since its primary objective is prevention, to achieve a complete state of health, seeking a balance between our body, mind and soul.
Try some of these tips and rely on the medicinal plants that can offer a natural help to achieve this balance in your overall being.
Don't be afraid of PPS
All this can be scary. But it's even more scary to keep prolonging the side effects of HC. There's a lot that you can do, even before you stop taking them. You can replenish nutrients, improve your bowel movements, keep hydrated and take supplements before you stop HC.
Just remember to keep in mind that it will take some time until you return to a regular, healthy cycle; so be patient. Always remember that you are doing what is best for you and your body (99% of the time). We will give you more specific advice in the next post.
Post-Pill Syndrome
Ashwagandha – effects and functions of the ayurvedic super plant