How does birth control affect acid reflux. What are the risks of long-term PPI use for heartburn. Can estrogen dominance from hormonal contraceptives cause GERD. How to manage acid reflux symptoms while on birth control.

The Link Between Birth Control and Heartburn

Hormonal birth control methods, while empowering and effective for contraception, can sometimes lead to unexpected side effects. One such side effect that many women experience is an increase in heartburn and acid reflux symptoms. Understanding this connection is crucial for women who want to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and overall well-being.

A 2007 study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology found a relationship between oral contraceptive use and the development of acid reflux. This connection is primarily attributed to the hormonal changes induced by birth control pills, particularly the increase in estrogen levels.

How Does Birth Control Cause Heartburn?

• Estrogen dominance: Birth control pills can create an “estrogen dominant” state in the body.
• Relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter: Excess estrogen can relax this muscle, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.
• Weight gain: Hormonal changes may lead to weight gain, which is a risk factor for acid reflux.
• Thyroid issues: Birth control can affect thyroid function, potentially leading to low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria).

The Risks of Long-Term PPI Use for Birth Control-Induced Heartburn

When women experience heartburn as a side effect of birth control, they are often prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to manage the symptoms. However, long-term use of PPIs can come with its own set of risks and complications.

Potential Risks of Prolonged PPI Use:

1. Anemia
2. Osteoporosis
3. Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infections
4. Magnesium and B12 deficiencies
5. Increased risk of dementia

Given these potential risks, it’s essential for women to explore alternative methods of managing heartburn symptoms while on birth control, rather than relying solely on PPIs for extended periods.

Estrogen Dominance and Its Impact on Digestive Health

The concept of estrogen dominance plays a crucial role in understanding the link between birth control and heartburn. Hormonal contraceptives can create an imbalance in the body’s natural hormone levels, leading to a state where estrogen becomes dominant relative to progesterone.

Effects of Estrogen Dominance on the Digestive System:

• Relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, increasing the likelihood of acid reflux
• Slowed digestion and increased bloating
• Potential inflammation of the digestive tract
• Altered gut microbiome balance

Understanding these effects can help women and their healthcare providers develop more targeted approaches to managing digestive symptoms while on hormonal birth control.

Natural Remedies for Birth Control-Induced Heartburn

While PPIs may be necessary in some cases, many women find relief from birth control-induced heartburn through natural remedies and lifestyle changes. These approaches can be effective and carry fewer long-term risks compared to prolonged medication use.

Effective Natural Remedies:

1. Apple cider vinegar: A tablespoon diluted in water before meals can help increase stomach acid production.
2. Digestive enzymes: Supplementing with enzymes can aid in proper digestion and reduce reflux symptoms.
3. Probiotics: Balancing gut bacteria can improve overall digestive health.
4. Dietary changes: Avoiding trigger foods and eating smaller, more frequent meals can reduce heartburn.
5. Elevating the head of the bed: This simple change can help prevent nighttime reflux.

It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before implementing any new treatments, even natural ones, to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your individual situation.

Nutrient Depletions Caused by Birth Control: Impact on Digestive Health

Hormonal birth control methods are known to deplete certain nutrients in the body, which can indirectly affect digestive health and contribute to heartburn symptoms. Understanding these depletions can help women take proactive steps to maintain optimal health while using contraceptives.

Key Nutrients Depleted by Birth Control:

• B vitamins (especially B6, B12, and folate)
• Magnesium
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

These nutrient depletions can affect various bodily functions, including digestion. For example, magnesium deficiency can contribute to muscle tension, potentially affecting the function of the esophageal sphincter. B vitamin deficiencies can impact overall energy levels and metabolism, indirectly influencing digestive processes.

Strategies to Address Nutrient Depletions:

1. Targeted supplementation under healthcare provider guidance
2. Consuming a nutrient-dense, whole foods diet
3. Regular blood testing to monitor nutrient levels
4. Considering alternative forms of birth control if depletions persist

By addressing these nutrient depletions, women may be able to mitigate some of the digestive side effects associated with hormonal birth control, including heartburn.

The Role of Inflammation in Birth Control-Related Digestive Issues

Inflammation plays a significant role in many health issues, including those related to digestion. Hormonal birth control can potentially increase inflammation in the body, which may contribute to digestive symptoms like heartburn and acid reflux.

How Birth Control Can Increase Inflammation:

• Altering the balance of gut bacteria
• Affecting liver function and detoxification processes
• Impacting immune system function
• Changing the body’s response to stress

Understanding the inflammatory effects of birth control can help women and their healthcare providers develop strategies to mitigate these impacts and improve overall digestive health.

Anti-Inflammatory Strategies for Birth Control Users:

1. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into the diet (e.g., fatty fish, leafy greens, berries)
2. Regular exercise to reduce systemic inflammation
3. Stress management techniques like meditation or yoga
4. Considering supplements like omega-3 fatty acids or curcumin (under medical supervision)
5. Adequate sleep to support the body’s natural anti-inflammatory processes

By implementing these strategies, women may be able to reduce inflammation-related digestive symptoms while continuing to use their preferred method of birth control.

Balancing Hormones Naturally While on Birth Control

While hormonal birth control is designed to regulate hormones for contraceptive purposes, it can sometimes lead to imbalances that contribute to digestive issues like heartburn. Fortunately, there are natural ways to support hormone balance even while using birth control.

Natural Hormone-Balancing Strategies:

• Consuming phytoestrogens: Foods like flaxseeds and soy can help modulate estrogen effects
• Supporting liver health: The liver plays a crucial role in hormone metabolism
• Managing stress: Chronic stress can disrupt hormone balance
• Regular exercise: Physical activity can help regulate hormone levels
• Adequate sleep: Sleep is essential for hormone production and regulation

These strategies can help mitigate some of the hormonal side effects of birth control, potentially reducing digestive symptoms like heartburn.

Herbs That Support Hormone Balance:

1. Vitex (chasteberry)
2. Maca root
3. Ashwagandha
4. Dong quai
5. Black cohosh

It’s important to note that while these herbs can be beneficial, they should be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider, as they can interact with birth control and other medications.

When to Consider Alternative Birth Control Methods

While hormonal birth control is effective and convenient for many women, persistent digestive issues like chronic heartburn may signal the need to explore alternative contraceptive options. It’s important to weigh the benefits of birth control against the potential side effects and quality of life impacts.

Signs It May Be Time to Consider Alternatives:

• Persistent heartburn or acid reflux that doesn’t respond to treatment
• Development of other significant side effects
• Difficulty managing nutrient depletions
• Concerns about long-term PPI use for symptom management
• Overall decline in quality of life due to digestive issues

If you’re experiencing these issues, it’s crucial to have an open discussion with your healthcare provider about your options.

Non-Hormonal Birth Control Alternatives:

1. Copper IUD
2. Barrier methods (condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps)
3. Fertility awareness methods
4. Sterilization (for those who have completed their families)
5. Non-hormonal vaginal gels or inserts

Each of these methods has its own set of pros and cons, and what works best will vary from person to person. A healthcare provider can help you navigate these options and choose the most appropriate method for your individual needs and health considerations.

In conclusion, while birth control-related heartburn can be challenging, there are numerous strategies to manage symptoms and maintain overall health. By understanding the connection between hormonal contraceptives and digestive issues, exploring natural remedies, addressing nutrient depletions, and considering alternative options when necessary, women can take control of their reproductive and digestive health. Remember, the key is to work closely with healthcare providers to develop a personalized approach that balances contraceptive needs with overall well-being.

Acid Reflex and PPI’s — Dr. Molly Sears, ND

Once again-I am all for the use of Birth Control, it is empowering. I am also all for the use of adequate Informed consent about the use of the birth control and I love empowering women through education surrounding the use of the birth control. This week I will be sharing a series about the reality of the Pill and PolyPharm (;the use of multiple medications to address side effects of previously prescribed medications.)

Women on the birth control are SIGNIFICANTLY more likely to be prescribed multiple drugs after starting Hormonal Birth Control:

Used to manage

• Acid reflex

• GERD

• Heartburn

The Facts

• According to the authors of a 2007 study in the “Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,” a relationship has been found between the use of oral contraceptives and the development of acid reflux.

• Long term use of PPI’s can put you as risk of Anemia, Osteoporosis, C. Diff infections, Magnesium and B12 deficiencies, and Dementia.

Developing Heartburn, GERD, and Acid Reflex while on the Pill: The connection

• Hormonal birth control can cause an “estrogen dominant” state within the body. This excess estrogen relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing regurgitation up the esophagus

• An Increase in Estrogen predisposes you to obesity and vice versa. Both being overweight and this state of estrogen excess caused by the pill concurrently increases your risk for developing Acid reflex.

• Thyroid issues that arise on the pill can contribute to hypochlorydia (low stomach acid) and most acid reflex is caused by low amounts of stomach acid

Final thoughts:

Does this mean you need to come off the birth control? Again, maybe- but probably not, it is your choice. I am writing this to create a space where women can educate themselves and empower them to know what side effects there are, what it can lead to, and how awareness can help them avoid falling into the cycle of poly pharm. With my patients on hormonal birth control we work to specifically ensure that we are replenishing the nutrient depletions, supporting our immune system, and optimizing our inflammation in our body to prevent these negative processes from occurring. For low stomach acid and heartburn symptoms clinically we try a simple intervention with Apple Cider Vinegar to manage this symptom. Sometimes this is enough and sometimes your body requires additional digestive support and repair.

Resources:

Heidelbaugh JJ, Kim AH, Chang R, Walker PC. Overutilization of proton-pump inhibitors: what the clinician needs to know. Ther Adv Gastroenterol. 2012;5(4):219-232.

Schoenfeld AJ, Grady D. Adverse effects associated with proton pump inhibitors. JAMA Intern Med. 2016;176(2):172-174.

Molly SearsNovember 5, 2019

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Postmenopausal hormone therapy as a risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux symptoms among female twins

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“Birth control pills have made my life a nightmare”

January 13, 2017

Millions of women take birth control pills, and many are quite happy. However, there are times when these pills have a detrimental effect on the psyche.

Vicki Spratt, Associate Editor of The Debrief, tells how she battled depression, anxiety and panic attacks for years while trying to find the right medication.

How it all started o

My mother and I came to my local doctor with a complaint that my periods had not ended for three weeks. She recommended birth control pills for me – with some reservations, of course. Pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, the doctor stressed, and unprotected sex can lead to the development of cervical cancer. She was forced to say this, although I was only 14 years old, and I thought about sex last.

Image copyright VICKY SPRATT

The nurse filled out the prescription and I ended up with a three month supply of oral contraceptives. Going to the pharmacy for green blisters with tiny yellow pills I took as a kind of rite of passage into women. These were not just pills, but a sweetened concentrate of feminism, the struggle for women’s rights, medical progress.

That’s how it all started. It was 14 years ago, and since then I have been “playing drug roulette” for more than ten years, testing various drugs on myself with varying success. At the same time, I began to experience anxiety, depression, and mood swings that, with minor interruptions, haunted me all my adult life.

I had several failed romances and had to miss a year of university. All this I attributed to my shortcomings. Like, such a person I am: unadapted to life, insecure, unhappy. It wasn’t until my 20s, when I had already graduated from university and my mental and behavioral problems could no longer be attributed to “difficult adolescence”, that I first seriously thought about the side effects of pills.

Image copyright BSIP/Getty

Types of birth control pills

There are two main types of birth control pills: combination pills, which contain estrogen and progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone), and “pure progestin pills” or “mini pills,” which contain only one hormone (progestin).

• Combination tablets are available under many different names. They differ in dosage and ratio of estrogen and progestin.
• Progestin tablets also vary depending on the combination of norethisterone or desogestrel in their composition.
• Many women experience individual intolerance to certain components of hormonal contraceptives.

One day after another panic attack and as a result of a sleepless night, I sat down at the computer and started looking for information on Google. The day before, I switched to new progestin contraceptives, which I was prescribed because of a migraine. As it turned out, combination pills are contraindicated for those who suffer from migraine with aura.

I typed in the name of my drug and the words “depression” and “anxiety”. The Internet immediately showed me forum threads and posts by bloggers who were suffering from the same symptoms as me.

By that time, I had already gone to my local doctor several times complaining of sudden and powerful panic attacks – this had never happened before. The topic of contraceptives never came up in the conversation, despite the fact that the attacks occurred simultaneously with the transition to new pills. Instead, I was prescribed a large dose of beta-blockers – drugs that treat anxiety – and advised to take a course of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

So I lived for about six or eight months. I can’t say for sure, because this period in my memory is very blurred and accelerated, because the feeling of anxiety and danger was constantly pulsing in my veins.

Photo credit, BSIP/Getty

Learn more

The Debrief conducted a survey of 1022 readers aged 18 to 30:

• 93% of respondents were taking birth control intravenous tablets at or before the interview .
• Of these, 45% suffered from anxiety, the other 45% from depression.
• 46% said the pills reduced their sex drive.
• 58% believe the pills have had a negative impact on their mental health.
• 4% speak of the positive effect of the tablets.

I would like to laugh when I think about it. This is how all good stories should end, right? But there was nothing funny about what I went through. It was horror. I felt fear all the time. I did not recognize myself, did not love and could not live in peace. I didn’t know what to do, who to turn to and whether this would end. In addition to anxiety, I was seized by apathy. I felt like a complete mediocrity and blamed only myself for what was happening.

Thinking I was crazy, I told my doctor that I “felt like I’m not myself, but someone else,” as if my brain had become moldy and shrunken.

“Don’t you think it has something to do with my pills?” I asked. I remember the expression on her face: she was trying to keep a neutral look, but she could hardly contain her sarcasm. I explained that six of the seven types of pills I was taking had a negative effect on my well-being. The only exception was high estrogen pills, which made me feel like a superwoman for a year until they were discontinued (partly due to migraines, partly because long-term use of this drug increases the risk of thrombosis).

Having mastered herself, the doctor said categorically “no”: my problems are not related to pills.

However, I didn’t listen to her or my therapist and stopped taking progestin pills.

What happened next, I can only call a gradual and careful return of my “I”. After three to four weeks, I stopped taking beta-blockers. To this day, I always carry them with me in my purse in case I fall “off the high rock of my consciousness” again. However, for three and a half years they were never needed.

Of course, my problems didn’t disappear overnight, but the panic attacks stopped. None have happened over the years. From time to time I experience depression, anxiety and stress, but not to the extent that when I took the progestin pills. I remembered what joy is. My sex drive has returned. I stopped being afraid of everyone and everyone.

A year after the panic attacks stopped, I went on a solo trip to the other side of the world. A year earlier, this would have been unthinkable. Sitting on a distant tropical beach under a warm thunderstorm, I suddenly burst into tears of joy. What a relief it was that I became myself again, that I can control my thoughts, that I was not mistaken – I really know myself better than the doctors assured me.

I am now 28 years old and no longer take hormonal contraceptives. With the exception of mild mood swings during the day before my period, I was completely free from anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.

Image copyright VICKY SPRATT

Ever since I lost myself on progestin pills and found myself again on a South Asian beach, my problem has gradually begun to attract more and more attention. In 2013, Holly Grigg Spall’s book Sweetening The Pill was published, in which the author stated the impact of hormonal contraception on women’s mental health.

In addition, an important study was conducted: Professor Øyvind Lidegaard from the University of Copenhagen found that women who take birth control pills (both combined and progestin) are more likely to be prescribed antidepressants than others. This difference was especially noticeable among young women aged 15-19 who took the combination pill.

Lidegaard was able to carry out this study because he was given access to the health records of over a million Danish women aged 15 to 34.

After reading about this study, I sent an information request to the National Health Service. As a journalist for The Debrief, I knew that many British women also suffer from such effects of pills – our readers complained to us almost daily. I asked how many women take birth control pills along with antidepressants or beta-blockers. I was told that their system does not yet allow sampling of this data.

Pills and depression

Here is what Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, President of the Royal College of Physicians says:

“Hormones have been proven to affect mood – both positively and negatively. For most women, reliable contraception and regulation of the menstrual cycle are undeniable the benefits outweigh the side effects, if any. In addition, many women claim that hormonal drugs improve their mood.

If a woman thinks that contraceptives are negatively affecting her mood, she should see a doctor. ”

Depression is now considered a possible but rare side effect of hormonal contraceptives, according to the instructions that come with the pills. The National Health Service website refers to “mood swings” without directly naming depression, anxiety, or panic attacks.

You don’t have to give up pills, but you don’t have to put up with the negative side effects that keep us from living. We need information to make a choice. We need more thorough research on the effect of hormonal contraceptives on the female psyche, monitoring the reaction of patients, more support for those who suffer from serious side effects. Women should not feel ignored or not taken seriously.

Vicki Spratt is Associate Editor of The Debrief, website for women in their 20s and 30s. Now this site publishes a series of materials “ Mad About The Pill “.

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Anti-drug pills

Regardless of the name of the drug, practically all anti-drug pills are taken according to one principle. The stench ignores ovulation, zapobigayuchi themselves attaching the zaplodne ova to the mucosal surface of the uterus.

Antiseptic drugs can be seen:

• lower implants;
• injectables;
• min-drank;
• estrogen-progestin combination drugs;
• hormonal packs for vaginal congestion;
• hormonal preparations;
• postcoital medications;
• contraceptive plasters.

You can buy anti-inflammatory tablets not only for the prevention of non-emergency vaginess, but also for:

Types of oral contraceptives

Oral contraceptives, the price of which is available in our online pharmacy, show different effects on the reproductive organs:

• to attach a frozen egg;
• block the onset of the ovulation process;
• reduce the friability of spermatozoa due to the increase in the viscosity of the mucus;
• add to the life of spermatozoa.

Oral contraceptives are recommended for the quantity and amount of hormones and are supplemented with combinations and one-component (gestagenic).

Distinguished by number of hormones:

• low dose preparations – recommended for patients of reproductive age;
• microdosing – to prescribe on the very cob of state maturity to women up to 25 years of age;
• high-dose – zastosovuyutsya when the balance of state hormones is disturbed, due to pathology or century-old changes.

Emergency high-dose oral contraceptives and buy to lie down with different mechanical barriers or if they are damaged. Enter them next no later than 72 years after the act and not more often than three times on the river. Such disposable drugs for emergency help block the onset of ovulation and cause bleeding, similar to menstruation.

Antizaplide pills – list 040

Hormonal contraceptives

Classified hormonal contraceptives per:

• gestagenic – avoid synthetic analogues of progestin;
• combinations – include both types of female hormones: analogues of progestin and estrogen.

Combinations of preparations for which can be single-phase, if the dosing and hormonal levels are not changed by the prolongation of the last cycle, two- and three-phase, which mimic the equalization of hormones in the daily cycle. You can also look at prostatitis with us.

Biphasic preparations at the same time are practically not vicarious for contraception. It is important to prescribe them to summer women for the relief of menopausal symptoms.

Triphasic people also step by step: they don’t give any significant advantage over monophasic people and they show much more respect when taking them.

In general, it is obvious that the lower the concentration of hormones, and the lower the injection of the drug into the body, the doctors recommend hormonal microdosing tablets to healthy women.

If you want to buy hormonal contraceptives, it is necessary to buy not insoles for contraception, but also to improve the balance of hormones, the drug can give you a preparation with a higher concentration of hormones.