Why I’ll Never Go Back on the Pill
Your Cycle
Your Power
In this Newsletter:
➡️ Why so many women are put on the pill
➡️ My raw, unfiltered story
➡️ The science behind what happens
➡️ What changed when I finally stopped
➡️ Why informed choice matters
I’ve wanted to write this newsletter for a long time.
But the truth is… this topic feels personal. And yes — sometimes controversial.
Still, every time I hear another woman say
“I’ve been on the pill since I was 15 and no one ever explained anything.”
or
“I stopped the pill and everything fell apart, I didn’t know why.”
or
“My boyfriend wants me to get on the pill.”
…I’m reminded why this story matters.
So today, I’m finally sharing mine.
Why So Many Women Start the Pill
The oral contraceptive pill is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the world.
More than 150 million women globally use hormonal contraceptives.
In countries like the US and UK, 58–70% of women of reproductive age have used the pill.
And many aren’t prescribed it for contraception at all.
Doctors commonly use it to “manage”:
acne
irregular cycles
painful periods
suspected PCOS
mood swings
“cycle regulation”
Very often, there’s little explanation of how it works or what it might change. And sadly, most of the time no one informs you about potential alternatives.
I was one of those women.
My Story
The First Time
I started the oral contraceptive pill in my early twenties purely for contraception. I didn’t have acne. I didn’t have hormonal imbalances. My cycles were regular.
My doctor handed me a prescription but did not explain much. It seemed harmless — I knew many women were on it.
But the first time I decided to stop the pill, everything changed overnight.
My skin exploded. Painful cystic acne — something I had never experienced before — covered my face.
It affected my confidence so deeply that I avoided leaving the house.
I panicked and went back on the pill, now not for contraception, but to “treat” the acne the pill itself had triggered.
The Second Time
Six months later, while on the pill again, I woke up in the middle of the night with intense abdominal pain. I could barely walk.
At the hospital, they found a 7 cm ovarian cyst. I had never had cysts in my life.
My intuition whispered, “It’s the pill.”
Doctors insisted, “Impossible. The pill treats cysts.”
But something in me didn’t believe them. So, I stopped the pill immediately.
A few months later, without surgery or treatment, the cyst disappeared.
My skin took almost a year to heal — painful facials, treatments, and a lot of emotional healing.
I promised myself I would never go back on the pill again…
The Third and the Last Time
A year later, unexplained pelvic pain began. Test after test brought no clarity.
Eventually a doctor said, “It’s probably endometriosis. The pill is the only thing that will help.”
At that time, I was not yet very health-conscious. I did not know about functional medicine, alternative methods, root causes. So, I did not question much. I trusted them.
And despite everything I had already been through, I went back on it. Sometimes we make choices in life we can’t fully explain.
I wish I knew then all that I know now.
At first, things seemed fine.
Then slowly, my body started whispering — then shouting — again.
Breast tenderness
Constant nutrient deficiencies despite supplementation
Gut dysbiosis
Unexplained mood swings
Vaginal dryness like during menopause
Rock-bottom libido
Worsening thyroid labs, despite a healthy lifestyle
Every time I asked whether this could be connected to the pill, most doctors said no.
Until I managed to find one who thought differently. This was the time when I found functional medicine.
While I looked fine from the outside, my body said something completely different.
Eventually, I reached the point where I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
I decided this would be my last time.
What Happened When I Stopped for Good
My Nutrients Were Completely Depleted
Despite supplementing while on the pill, my labs showed depleted ferritin, zinc, vitamin C.
After I stopped the pill, these levels normalized — even with less supplementation.
This is consistent with research showing the pill can deplete key micronutrients like B6, B12, folate, vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, selenium, and iron.
My Gut Microbiome Was Disrupted
My Gut Zoomer test revealed dysbiosis and gut barrier issues.
Research now shows synthetic estrogen + progestin can alter gut bacteria and increase intestinal permeability — something I had never been told.
My Libido & Emotional Energy Returned
For a long time while on the pill, I felt like someone had dimmed my internal light. My libido was almost nonexistent. My emotional range felt muted.
Weeks after stopping, everything came back to normal.
Studies show the pill lowers free testosterone — something women are almost never told.
And no surprise — my lab results for testosterone were at rock bottom while I was on the pill.
My Thyroid Improved Without Increasing Medication
While on the pill, my thyroid labs worsened year after year. Doctors kept increasing my medication.
After stopping, my labs stabilized — without increasing my dose once.
Interestingly, synthetic estrogen increases thyroid-binding globulin, reducing available thyroid hormone.
Post-Pill Acne
Yes, I had a flare. Like I did each time after stopping. But because this time I prepared my body for six months beforehand, it was manageable and short-lived.
Why These Changes Happen
The pill contains synthetic estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and synthetic progestin.
These hormones:
stop ovulation
flatten natural hormone rhythms
alter gut bacteria
increase thyroid-binding proteins
reduce free testosterone
stress liver detox pathways
deplete key nutrients
increase inflammation in some women
Your body isn’t overreacting. It’s adapting — and sometimes struggling — under an entirely different and alien hormonal system.
A Year and a Half Later
Getting off the pill was one of the most powerful decisions I’ve made for my health.
I feel connected to my body again.
My cycle makes sense.
My moods are stable.
My thyroid is calmer.
My energy is steadier.
My skin is clear.
My libido is back.
My intuition feels sharper.
Some women feel great on the pill — and that’s valid. I did too for a bit.
But many don’t, and many don’t realize they have options.
This isn’t medical advice. This is simply my story — shared in the hope it helps someone else feel less confused, less alone, and more empowered in conversations with their doctors.
Wherever You Are in Your Journey
For those of you who are currently on the pill:
listen closely to your body. It’s always communicating. Check your labs regularly, support your nutrient levels, and give your liver, gut, and hormones the care they need to manage the additional synthetic hormones. And when the time comes for you to stop — whether next month or years from now — take time to prepare your body. You don’t have to experience the sudden crash, acne, mood swings, or exhaustion so many women go through. Preparation truly changes everything.
For those considering starting the pill:
ask questions. Ask why it’s being recommended. Weigh the pros and cons honestly. Be clear with yourself — is this a choice for you, or pressure from someone else, or simply the default option no one ever questioned? And wherever possible, try tuning into your natural cycle first. When you learn how to work with your body instead of against it, you might be surprised by how much clarity, intuition, and emotional strength your cycle actually holds.
It’s something I wish someone had told me when I was in my early twenties.
Warmly,
Viktorija 💛