Hormonal birth control methods like pills often cause mood swings in women. It’s like a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Statistics show that even today, most women quit contraceptive pills within a year of use. Mood swings are not the only side effect. You might feel nausea because the dosage is quite strong, and the combination irritates the lining of your stomach.
If you think that your moods have gone erratic since you are on hormonal birth control, you are not delusional. Hormonal birth controls are known to create anxiety, depression, anger, and other issues over time. Having a clear idea of how these contraceptives alter your hormones will help you understand the relationship between mood swings and the pills.
Here’s an article that will not only explain the working of hormonal contraceptives but will also tell you about the ways to prevent mood swings while taking birth control.
Working of Hormonal Contraceptives
All hormonal birth control options come with synthetic female sex hormones, estrogen, and progestin. These interfere in the normal functioning of your natural hormones. In a typical 28-day menstrual cycle, the estrogen level slowly increases from day one to day 14, and from there on, it decreases gradually. When you are on hormonal birth control, your estrogen levels stay stable like a straight line from where it will take a steep downward slope between day 21 and 28. Such drastic changes may be responsible for the mood swings women experience while on pills.
Studies show connections between induced hormonal fluctuations and mood swings, even though the scientific community seems divided on the issue. So, if you are experiencing mood swings while you are on the pill, there are ways to make you feel better.
How to reduce the mood swings?
While you are on birth control, the following steps might help to balance your mood swings.
- Take lots of nutrients
Contraceptives might deplete all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed for the body. Eating healthy, wholesome foods with lots of protein and vegetables can help with some of the symptoms. Having your nutrient levels replenished will make you feel a lot better.
- The good old turmeric
Turmeric can help you alleviate your mood swings by reducing inflammation and supporting liver health and detoxification. Add it to your food or have it with milk. You can also go for turmeric tablets as supplements.
- Include Omega-3 in your diet
Omega-3 has a lot of anti-inflammatory properties and is neuroprotective. You can include fish like salmon, sardine, etc., in your diet. They can also ward off your period cramps.
- Put On Your Sports Gear
Regular activity can alleviate your mood by controlling your hormones better. Being energetic throughout the day will do wonders for your body and mind. Exercise regularly and stay more active so that you will start feeling much better!
- A Healthy Gut
Having a healthy microbiome can help with lowering inflammation while you are on birth control. Include probiotics and fibers into your diet for healthy digestion. It will help deal with your mood swings better.
- Speak to your Doctor
You can openly approach your doctor and discuss the side-effects you are facing. Your doctor can help you with alternate non-hormonal birth control methods.
- Get Good Night’s Rest
A person needs to get quality sleep for 7-8 hours on average for normal hormonal functioning. If you are not getting enough sleep, it will make things worse for you. When you are taking pills, you need to give enough rest for your body to recover.
Summing up
Before we conclude, you must ensure that you have the pill on time every single day. When you miss one or more pills, taking two or three pills together can aggravate the symptoms.
Having said this much, the choice of taking a birth control option is entirely up to you and your partner. If you still cannot manage your mood swings, you might have to look for other birth control methods. In such cases, you can opt for intrauterine devices and condoms. Condoms are not 100% reliable, but IUDs are quite effective.
You can invest in Kyleena T-shaped IUD. For the past two decades, women have been using this brand’s T-shaped IUD. As for Kyleena mood swings, you may have some changes in your mood, but it is certainly better than popping in birth control pills.
So, we would suggest you choose a birth control method after considering all the side effects, usability, accessibility, and cost.
If you cannot take pills every single day, opt for IUD devices. You can get it removed whenever you are ready to conceive.
