Will stopping the contraceptive pill improve symptoms?

[MissFG]

After reading that the pill can potentially exacerbate thyroid dysfunction can anyone provide advice on taking the mini pill - progesterone only pill?

As I understand levels of progesterone can be deficient when you have hashimotos.

What I can’t find is any information on taking the progesterone only pill - obviously if women with hashimotos do have low levels then surely taking this contraception pill should help. Or would I be better of coming off the pill if it can affect my hormones?

[camilla_01]

Hi! I'm interested to hear what others think about this! Please do let me know if you get any more information.

I have Hashimoto's and also PCOS (so my treatment for this is the birth control pill)...

Thanks! xx

[MissFG in reply to camilla_01]

I think it’s really important that our bodies don’t get confused with synthetic medication like the pill.

The more I read on Izabella Wentz the more I can relate. The pieces are all beginning to fit together. I’ve just started on anti viral pills (posting on this) so waiting to see how I respond before stopping my mini pill.

The pill can only “potentially exacerbate thyroid dysfunction”. So if you need the pill for PCOS it is required to help control your symptoms. Try everything else first that’s my intention before coming off the pill.

[Saya85 in reply to MissFG]

Hi missfg and camilla_01

I would really caution you to research regarding contraceptive pills.

I strongly do believe it does nothing for us in recovering fertility ovulation and general health and thyroid.

It also often masks a folate/b12 deficinecy and I can attest to that! Was devastating dealing with it.

Synthetic progestins and oestrogen don’t do anything for us. If you need contraception I urge u to look at the mirena coil. (Slow releases progesterone more directly into uterus- and more effective birth control with minimal /no side effects) and can be removed.

‘The period repair manual’ is a book ( also endorsed by izabella wentz’s) and its really brilliant at explaining how fertility and health are so connected. I would never use pills to ‘regulate cycles’ (they don’t/ they override your cycle and give a withdrawal bleed- that is NoT a period)

We need progesterone for good health too- progestin doesn’t do it. You can get bioidentical progesterone creams to use to help if required.

I would strongly suggest looking at (myo)inositol, folic acid - and a low carb /good fat diet to help with PcOS- and proper thyroid control as well of course.

[MissFG in reply to Saya85]

I have tried other contraceptives and found only the depo (no longer on it) and now the mini pill to suit me. The coil made me extremely ill and is pushed by the NHS as it’s the cheapest form to supply. Plus it can also give some a moral dilemma.

I supplement with B12 and folic acid along with others I have researched to be beneficial and am on a low carb diet have been even before diagnosed for many years.

I’m also 44 so doubt I’ll have any more children. So I suppose it’s only really going to benefit me if I continue to improve and eventually go into remission and my thyroid hasn’t been too destroyed and could function again without the need for T3 which is my long term aim if that’s even possible. But for my overall health I’m seriously considering coming off the pill just in the hope I will feel the benefits hence my original research and this post asking ppls opinions.

Obviously ppl in different circumstances and battling PCOS and/or wanting to have children would need to look at it and how it affects them.

But I agree Izabella provides great insight on all areas of hashimotos

[LAHs]

According to Drugs.com, yes, thyroid medications (both Levo and Armour NDT) or naturally generated thyroid hormones react adversely with both progesterone and estrogen. They both compete for thyroid binding globulin (TBGs).

[Saya85 in reply to LAHs]

I knew there was some interactions but that’s really put it into context and how it works. Ivf treatment really threw my thyroid out of whack

[Baobabs]

I took the pill for 2 months many years ago and felt ghastly. Personally I believe this is the most misrepresented drug on offer. Misrepresented by medics and the pharmaceutical companies. The symbiotic relation between the two has been highlighted many times on this forum, by functional practitioners and indeed by many folk who care about what really makes and keeps us healthy. I think the research, sponsored by the aforementioned named, suggesting positive outcomes and benefits is absolutely manipulated and maligned. I have no idea why I feel this way other than putting synthetic hormones into one's body for no other purpose than contraception must be a potentially dangerous road to walk down. We all feel, if not know what a powerful effect hormone imbalances have on our bodies.

[camilla_01]

Thanks all for your insight! much appreciated!