Education - Now that we know it can take from 6 months to 2 years or more to get pregnant, it is wise to support your body in the recovery process towards pregnancy focusing on these 5 pillars;
1. Supplement nutrients
2. Support natural hormone production
3. Restore intestinal health
4. Support your liver
5. Measuring with the Daysy cycle tracker
1. Which vitamins/minerals are often in short supply?
B2 - Riboflavoin
B6 - Pyridoxine (P5P)
B9 - Folate (not to be confused with synthetic folic acid)
B12 - Cobalamin (methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin)
C - Ascorbic acid and buffered compounds
E - Tocopherols
A - Beta-carotene or retinyl acetate
Selenium
Magnesium
Zinc
Coenzyme Q10
2. Everything in your body runs on natural hormones
Steroid hormones (lipids, i.e. fatty structures), our sex hormones, are made from cholesterol. Then we are talking about oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol. Yes indeed, we need cholesterol to make enough hormones for the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, it is nice if you are rich in vitamin A, various B vitamins, C, D3, iodine, selenium and zinc in the process.
Disrupted thyroid function is one of the most common causes of cycle complaints. In fact, let chemical cycle suppression be a disruptor of normal thyroid function! Iodine, zinc and selenium are needed so that your thyroid can turn inactive T4 into active T3 (thyroid hormone). This requires iodine, zinc and selenium otherwise you have a problem!
Diet and lifestyle are important for natural hormonal balance. This goes from getting a good night's sleep to drastically minimising exposure to chemicals. If you address several lifestyle factors at once, it will improve your hormonal balance.
Then you can start supplementing and preparing for pregnancy right now.
3. Intestinal repair
Long-term use of contraception upsets the balance between good and less good gut bacteria. Hence, women have an increased risk of PDS (irritable bowel syndrome) after discontinuing contraception (1). Plus a higher risk of Crohn's disease, which is a chronic illness where on and off intense inflammation in your gut hinders your life.
Our gastrointestinal tract contains oestrogen receptors. Exposure to excess ethinylestradiol (synthetic estradiol in contraception) which has been shown to affect the integrity of the intestinal barrier - is a risk factor for developing PDS. (2).
Contraceptive use has also been shown to alter the vaginal microflora, making you more susceptible to bacterial vaginosis, candida albicans (fungal infection) and other infections, especially during the first few months of use. (3). I know women who developed recurrent fungal infections shortly after starting contraception - a problem that usually disappears once you stop.
The flow of your cycle gives an insight into your digestion. If your digestion is not working properly, you may notice abnormal cervical mucus patterns or even abnormal bleeding patterns during your cycle. As your health improves, you can often observe the changes in your cycle progression.
Digestive problems can disrupt nutrient absorption, hormonal balance, menstrual health and your immune system, not to mention the significant impact the symptoms can have on your enjoyment of life! Focusing more on gut restorative foods like bone broth and fermented foods is a good idea to start with. (4).
Of course, you also want to know if any allergies or food sensitivities are a factor. Imagine having a cut on your finger, but when it starts to heal, you re-injure it. Similarly, consuming foods you are sensitive or allergic to can prevent your gut from healing and lead to chronic inflammation.
4. Support your liver
Your liver breaks down fat, produces energy and plays an important role in maintaining your blood sugar levels. (5).Your liver also cleanses your blood, regulates your cholesterol levels and controls the balance of sex hormones and thyroid hormones in your body. Your liver works continuously - day and night - to break down hormones, chemicals and toxins and get them out of your bloodstream so you can continue to function normally. If you use synthetic beauty and skincare products, then those choices will cause more stress on your already overstressed liver. Stress? Yes, stress caused by your organs having to work too hard - very recognisable... 😳
The higher the workload on your liver the more likely your hormones are out of balance. Poor liver function can exacerbate premenstrual symptoms, acne, irregular menstrual cycles and menstrual cramps. While it may be tempting to assume that the best way to support your liver is by detoxing or taking supplements, the best thing to do is to start reducing your toxic load right now!
You might want to include cruciferous vegetables like broccoli in your diet, totally fine! Because they contain a compound called indole-3-carbinol (I3C) that helps your liver to break down estrogen more effectively and reduce the harmful effects associated with excess estrogen in the body. (7). I3C can also be found in a supplement along with diindolylmethane (DIM), an active compound derived from I3C. (8).
Know when to seek help
Knowing that long-term contraceptive use can be associated with a delay in the return of your normal fertility, you obviously want to know what to expect when you stop. If your cycles don't immediately normalise within the first few months, don't panic!
But if you are still waiting for your periods after 4 to 6 months, or if you still don't have regular periods 12 to 18 months after contraceptive use seek professional support. In doing so, pay attention to who you go to. If it is a professional who prescribes medication then your outcome will be medication-focused. If you choose a professional early on who supports your organs from the cause to ensure the above starts functioning properly again then you can seek help from an orthomolecular therapist specialised in fertility and menstrual cycle. Book an appointment.
5. Measure with Daysy the cycle tracker
Monitor your cycle progression, so you know if you are ovulating and when your fertile days are. Community during the 3 days before the expected ovulation gives more chances! The chances of getting pregnant are higher when you have your natural cycle well before a pregnancy wish, making your own hormones. After all, you give to your offspring the genetic material you release through ovulation. That is how essential having an ovulation is!
Overview:
When to stop contraception to start a family? Take into account a transition period of 1.5 to 2 years to allow your body to come into balance. Before you continue reading this overview!
Contraception shrinks ovaries and suppresses your ovarian reserves. Stop for at least 6 to 7 months to allow your ovaries to return to normal function.
Contraception has been shown to cause a temporary delay in the return of your normal fertility - anywhere from 3 to 18 months or longer, depending on the type of contraception you took and for how long.
Irregular menstrual cycles are associated with an increased risk of a delay in the return of your normal fertility after contraception.
Quitting contraception is not it, even if you don't have a desire to have children yet, you can already decide not to start. You are the boss of your body and therefore the choices you make.
Focus on supplementing nutrients, supporting your natural hormone production, restoring gut health and supporting your liver during the post-pill recovery phase.
If your periods have not returned within 4 to 6 months of discontinuing contraception, or your cycles have not normalised within 12 to 18 months, seek professional support.
Sources:
BMJ Journal Oral contraceptives, reproductive factors and risk of inflammatory bowel disease
Pubmed. Estrogen receptor-β signaling modulates epithelial barrier function. 21252046
Pubmed. Risk of bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans infection among new users of combined hormonal contraception vs LNG-IUS. 28849960
Pubmed. Gelatin tannate ameliorates acute colitis in mice by reinforcing mucus layer and modulating gut microbiota composition: Emerging role for 'gut barrier protectors' in IBD? 24918016
National library of medicine. How does the liver work? books/NBK279393/
Pubmed. Changes in levels of urinary estrogen metabolites after oral indole-3-carbinol treatment in humans. 9168187.
National library of medicine. Chemopreventive properties of 3,3′-diindolylmethane in breast cancer: evidence from experimental and human studies. PMC5059820
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