Seeking Answers: She Worries Birth Control is Compromising Her Health and Causing Brown Vaginal Discharge

After doing some reading of her own, she questions if the birth control she’s on is healthy for her. Much of her worry is prompted by the brown vaginal discharge she’s starting to experience. But now, after reading of the numerous problems associated with birth control, she’s afraid it might harm her health in other ways as well.

Case #: 1320

Concern：

Hello, I have a couple of problems. First I have been reading on this site about birth control pills and how they affect the liver, uterus and so on. Reading all of this has made me worried. I am on birth control and have just started to get a dark brown discharge a week before I am due for my normal period. Is the birth control pill hurting my body? Are they not healthy? Are they going to hinder my chances at getting pregnant in a couple of years? I am just worried that I am doing something bad to my body voluntarily.

Discussion：

Depending on who you ask, you’re likely to get many varying answers as to whether or not birth control is safe. The debates over this topic are hot and heated, with each side claiming their argument is the right one. Because every woman responds differently to this medication, you might instead ask if birth control is safe for you.

Why the Discharge?

Brown discharge is common among women who take the pill. It is caused by an estrogen imbalance, which also means progesterone levels are disproportionate. Estrogen and progesterone are the two main sex hormones in the female body. They offset each other’s functions to ensure a woman’s total health. Estrogen prompts fat storage, while progesterone burns it for energy; estrogen increases the risk for blood clots, whereas progesterone normalizes this risk.

The pill is made with synthetic formulas of estrogen and progesterone. Once in the blood stream, the body treats these chemicals like natural hormones, meaning they are metabolized by the liver and sent to perform the functions expected of them. Meanwhile, the body continues to produce its normal hormones in accordance with the traditional 28-day menstrual cycle.

An abundance of natural and synthetic chemicals overloads the liver until it can no longer keep pace. Hormones then accumulate in the body and cause disruptive symptoms like vaginal discharge. Each month, estrogen levels prompt the uterus to form a thick lining of blood cells. Progesterone also increases to give the lining nutrients to nourish a developing fetus if the woman becomes pregnant. Should pregnancy not occur, the lining is shed during menstruation and the cycle begins again.

When estrogen levels are out of balance, the lining does not develop as thickly as it should. Its consistency is instead thin and loose. Too watery to remain in the uterus, the lining instead leaks out prior to menstruation. This is the brown discharge you’re experiencing.

Birth Control and Overall Effects on the Body

In reality, birth control is neither all bad nor all good. It is not ideal to ingest chemicals that alter your body’s natural processes, but some health benefits are attached to the pill. It has shown in studies to lower the risks of uterine and ovarian cancers as well as improve hair loss. Some women take birth control to manage their PMS symptoms, while others take it to prevent ovarian cysts.

But serious problems with the pill are also well documented. It increases the risk for blood clot, stroke, breast cancer, and cervical cancer. It can also impede a woman’s desire for sex and place a serious strain on intimate relationships. Thus, the safety of birth control depends on your personal and family medical histories.

Most health care professionals agree fertility is not compromised by oral contraceptives. The only barriers between you and your ability to conceive are age and lifestyle choices. Women over the age of 35 can take longer to get pregnant than those in their 20s or early 30s. Similarly, your diet and exercise choices also affect your future fertility.

Ditch the Side Effects

Whatever your choices are with regard to birth control, you now need to detoxify your body to eliminate excess hormones. An all-natural formula blended specifically for women can help achieve this and also stop unwanted discharge. (TRY: Vaginal Detox and Infection Relief Solution) Herbs like Calendula and Safflower restore the vagina to its naturally acidic state, while Fenugreek and Bupleurum improve liver functions. The result will be natural discharge that helps cleanse the vagina, stable hormonal levels and no brown spotting.