When I first started using hormonal birth control, I did what most of us did: I listened to what my doctor said, picked up the prescription, and trusted that it was the best (and only) option. No one explained how it would impact my hormones, my mood, or my connection to my body. No one told me I’d stop ovulating—or what that might mean in the long term.
And when I started to feel off—feeling down, completely numb and totally disconnected from my own body—I didn’t even think to question the pill. I just thought: Maybe I’m the problem.
But here’s the truth:
You’re not the problem. And you’re definitely not alone.
This post isn’t about bashing hormonal birth control. It’s about making sure you have the education you should’ve gotten from the start. Because when you understand your body’s natural rhythms, you can make informed, empowered decisions—not reactive ones.
Let’s talk about what hormonal birth control doesn’t usually tell you.
1. It turns off your natural hormonal cycle
Most hormonal birth control (like the pill, patch, ring, shot, or hormonal IUD) works by shutting down ovulation. That means your body isn’t cycling through its natural rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone. Instead, you’re in a kind of “flatline” state—where your hormones stay at steady synthetic levels.
For many people, that means:
- No natural period (the bleeds on the pill aren’t true periods)
- No ovulation (which is the main event of your cycle)
- No hormonal fluctuations (which play a huge role in energy, mood, skin, libido, and more)
You might not feel the monthly rhythm you’d have without it—and over time, that can create a deep sense of disconnection. Like you’re not fully “you.”
2. It can mask underlying hormone issues
A lot of people are put on the pill to “regulate” their cycle. But here’s the truth: hormonal birth control doesn’t regulate—it suppresses.
If you’ve ever had:
- Painful periods and cramping
- Irregular cycles
- Heavy bleeding
- Mood swings or intense PMS
- Hormonal headaches/migraines
- Acne/skin issues
- Low back and pelvic pain
…those symptoms are worth understanding, not covering up.
Hormonal birth control can act like a band-aid. But once you come off of it, the underlying imbalances often come back—sometimes stronger than before. And that can feel overwhelming if you weren’t prepared.
3. It disconnects you from your body’s cues
Without ovulation, basal body temperature (BBT) shifts don’t occur. Cervical mucus doesn’t change. You don’t get the follicular phase “spark” or the luteal phase “slow-down.” That monthly internal rhythm your body is designed to follow? It’s muted.
And it’s not just about fertility. Ovulation is a key player in:
- Bone health
- Brain function
- Libido
- Mood regulation
- Muscle building and recovery
You might not realize just how much your cycle supports you—until it’s gone. That’s often when clients tell me:
“I feel like a different person.”
“I don’t even recognize myself anymore.”
“It’s like I turned into someone I don’t want to be.”
If you’ve ever felt like birth control made you feel “crazy” or “like a monster,” you’re not imagining things. You’re reacting to a real hormonal shift. And you deserve to know why.
4. Coming off the pill can be a journey
If you’ve ever stopped birth control and felt like your body was totally out of sync, you’re not alone.
It can take time for ovulation to return, for hormones to rebalance, and for your body to re-learn how to cycle naturally. During this time, symptoms like acne, mood swings, fatigue, or irregular periods can pop up—and it can feel like you’re back at square one.
That’s why I recommend gently supporting your system before and after
If you’re on hormonal birth control and it works for you—great. You deserve options.
But if something feels off… if you’ve caught yourself saying,
“Why am I so emotional?”
“Is it normal to feel this flat, this anxious, this disconnected?”
You deserve better answers.
This post is for those who never got the full picture. Who want to feel more in their body, not less. Who want to understand their hormones instead of fighting them.
You are allowed to ask questions. You’re allowed to explore what wellness looks like for you. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Let’s take charge of your wellness—together.
Much love,
Dr. Em
Dr. Emily Mason
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