“I woke up one morning and felt like a very dark cloud hovered over my head.
Brittney isn’t alone.
Yes, there is a connection between the pill and depression.
Onemassive epidemiological study1followed a total of 1,061,997 women between the ages of 15 and 34 for 13 years.
Researchers found those who used the pill were more likely to be diagnosed with depression.
The progestin-only pill wasnt much better, increasing teens risk for depression twofold.
The results of depression and other birth control side effects can be devastating.
Sadly, adolescents had the highest relative risk here.
How to know if you’re at risk for depression from the pill.
Natural approaches to depression from the pill.
In naturopathic and functional medicine, we believe symptoms like depression are manifestations of underlying imbalances.
She didn’t want to try another pill; she wanted to fix the root cause of her symptoms.
During that initial consultation, though, Brittney needed fast relief.
We used these nine strategies to alleviate her symptoms and improve her mood:
1.
Ditch sugar (even from “healthy” sources).
Researchshows that6high sugar intake contributes to mood disorders like depression.
Brittneys sugar came from sneaky sources like agave-sweetened crackers and sugar-sweetened almond milk.
We identified those problem foods and found smart replacements like no-sugar-added seed crackers and unsweetened almond milk.
She also added tons of leafy greens and cruciferous veggies.
For even more anti-inflammatory support, she added fresh ginger to her morning protein smoothie and sprinkledturmericonto her veggies.
On the list of so-called healthy foods Brittney regularly ate were Greek yogurt and whole grain tortillas.
I had Brittney do a three-week elimination diet that nixed these common offenders and helped heal her gut.
Most of your immune system, which regulates inflammation and so much more, resides in your gut.
Your gut also manufactures many mood-modulating neurotransmitters,including serotonin8.
(In fact, up to 95 percent of serotonin gets made here.)
Fixing your gut and providing the right nutrients can greatly help reduce symptoms like depression.
Even the healthiest diet might not provide the optimal amount of nutrients.
Onemeta-analysisthat looked at exercise for depression strongly supported the idea that exercise can be an evidence-based treatment for depression.
Studies show that chronicstress can rev up inflammation9, and this contributes to mood disorders like depression.
Nutrients like B vitamins and minerals support liver detoxification pathways, helping to rebalance hormones and steady your mood.
Brittney visited me several months later feeling far less depressed.
Whether or not youre on the pill, you never need to settle for depression.
Speak with a naturopathic or functional medicine doctor to discuss non-hormonal alternatives for birth control and other medications.
I even created afree post-birth-control syndrome detox dietto get you started!
Curious aboutnatural birth controlmethods?
Here’severything you oughta know about birth control apps.
