Birth Control & Holistic Health: What You Need to Know
By Dee Davidson
Birth control is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for women, and I get asked about it all the time—how it impacts hormones, gut health, mood, and overall well-being. Let’s look into the holistic perspective and what the research and experience show.
How Birth Control Puts the Body in “Default” Mode
Hormonal birth control works by artificially altering your natural hormone cycles. Essentially, it keeps the body in a default state that prevents ovulation. While this is effective for preventing pregnancy, it also means your body is not following its natural rhythm, which can impact:
Hormone balance: Estrogen and progesterone fluctuations are suppressed, which affects menstrual health, mood, and energy
Cortisol & stress response: The body may respond differently to stress when natural hormone cycles are altered
Thyroid function: Hormonal shifts can indirectly affect thyroid hormone transport and conversion
Even though birth control is considered safe for many, it’s not neutral on your body—and long-term use can have cumulative effects that we often don’t notice until later.
Impact on Gut Health & Other Systems
Hormonal birth control can also influence your gut microbiome and digestive health:
Altered gut bacteria: Research shows hormonal contraception can shift the balance of microbiota, sometimes reducing beneficial species (PMC Study{:target="_blank"})
Bile production & liver function: Estrogen-heavy contraceptives can increase liver workload, which affects how toxins and fats are metabolized
Nutrient absorption: Some studies suggest long-term use may affect levels of B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc
These subtle changes can contribute to fatigue, mood swings, bloating, and skin issues over time.
My Story
I personally spent 20 years on hormonal birth control, believing it was the “safe” choice for health and convenience. But intuitively, I always felt it was impacting my well-being. I struggled with water retention, hormonal imbalances, unexplained infertility and mood fluctuations. It wasn’t until I took a holistic approach—honoring my body’s natural rhythm, supporting gut and liver health, and eventually moving off the pill—that I started to feel truly aligned with my body again.
Helping Women Transition Off Birth Control
Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of women confidently transition off birth control. With the right guidance, nutrition, and hormone support, it’s possible to experience a smooth transition without the dreaded side effects.
If you’re ready to explore this, join HERE to experience a smooth transition off birth control.
A Holistic Perspective
If you are on or considering hormonal birth control, consider:
Regular testing and monitoring: hormone panels, gut health, liver function
Supporting your body while on it: nutrition, liver support, probiotics, stress management
Planning for transition off birth control: gradual support for hormone balance, adrenal health, and detox pathways
The goal is empowering informed choices—not fear or shame. Every body is different, and what works for one person may not for another.
Keep Learning & Take the Next Step
Book a Consultation to review your hormone health and gut function
Listen to the Confidently Balance Your Hormones Podcast for tips on restoring natural hormone balance
Follow Dee Davidson on Instagram for insights on holistic health
Dee Davidson is a Board-Certified Functional Health Practitioner based in North Attleboro, MA, specializing in hormone balance, mineral restoration, gut health, and women’s wellness. She helps women ditch surface-level solutions and address the real root causes of fatigue, hormonal chaos, and burnout—so they can finally feel like themselves again.