The 3 Biggest Myths About Birth Control (That We Need to Talk About)
I’m not anti-birth control. I’m pro-informed choice. Here’s what your doctor probably didn’t tell you—and what you deserve to know.
Let’s start here: birth control is one of the most important medical innovations of our time. It gave people reproductive freedom, agency, and control over their bodies—things I deeply support.
But somewhere along the way, the conversation stopped evolving. We’ve been sold a one-size-fits-all solution, with very little space for nuance, questioning, or informed consent.
As a naturopathic doctor, I see so many women who’ve been put on hormonal birth control for everything from acne to painful periods to “regulating their cycle”—without ever being told what that actually means.
So today, I want to break down 3 of the biggest myths I hear about birth control—and what you deserve to know if you’re currently on it, considering it, or trying to transition off.
Myth #1: “Birth control balances your hormones.”
This one drives me a little nuts. Hormonal birth control doesn’t balance your hormones—it shuts down your natural hormonal rhythm and replaces it with synthetic hormones. That’s not balance—that’s suppression.
When you're on the synthetic hormones from the pill (or patch, ring, shot, etc.), your brain stops signaling to your ovaries. Ovulation gets shut down. The “period” you get while on the pill? That’s a withdrawal bleed, not a real menstrual cycle. You’re not cycling—you’re coasting on a flat line. Here’s a visual of your hormone cycles both ON and OFF hormonal birth control so you can really see what’s happening:
While that might help mask symptoms like acne or irregular cycles in the short term, it doesn’t address why those issues are happening in the first place.
A 2007 study found that oral contraceptives significantly alter normal hormone physiology by overriding the HPO axis.
→ PubMed – Burkman et al.Brain researchers have also noted that hormonal contraceptive use may influence mood, memory, and emotional processing.
→ PubMed – Pletzer & Kerschbaum
Myth #2: “Birth control is harmless long-term.”
Hormonal birth control can be safe for some people—but that doesn’t mean it’s free of consequences. Especially when used long-term.
What I often see in practice as a result of hormonal birth control usage:
• Nutrient deficiencies (B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, selenium)
• Gut dysbiosis (imbalances of good/bad bacteria in your microbiome)
• Mood swings, low libido, anxiety, depression
• Trouble rebalancing hormones and getting your period back after stopping
These effects aren't guaranteed, but they’re also not rare. And most of us were never told to expect them. Some (not all) synthetic hormonal birth control medications have a black box warning attached—which means the medication has a significant risk of serious or life-threatening side effects. Are 15-20 year old girls being explained this when they go to their OBGYN?
Oral contraceptives are linked to nutrient depletion and increased oxidative stress.
→ Palmery et al.A 2016 study in JAMA Psychiatry found a higher risk of depression among users—especially adolescents.
→ Skovlund et al.
Myth #3: “You don’t need to ovulate unless you want to get pregnant.”
This one feels especially relevant in a world that treats fertility like something to suppress until you're ready to “use” it.
But ovulation is so much more than a fertility event—it’s a monthly sign of hormonal health. I tell my patients that their cycle is their “monthly report card”—did you eat an anti-inflammatory diet this month? Did you get proper sleep, exercise and recovery time? Did you manage your stressors, both internal and external?
When you ovulate, you make progesterone—a calming, anti-inflammatory hormone that supports:
• Sleep and mood
• Metabolism and thyroid health
• Bone density and cardiovascular protection
Suppressing ovulation with hormonal birth control means you miss out on all of those benefits. That’s why I say: ovulation is a vital sign.
Research shows ovulatory cycles are protective against bone loss, cardiovascular disease, and even breast cancer.
→ Prior, 2003Progesterone also plays a huge role in brain and body health—even outside of pregnancy.
→ Prior, 2020
So… what now?
This isn’t about fear—it’s about informed choice. You deserve to know what’s happening in your body and why.
If you're on hormonal birth control and it’s working for you, great! But if you’ve ever felt like your symptoms were being silenced instead of supported, you’re not alone. And there are other ways to approach hormonal health.
I’ll be writing more soon about:
-What happens when you come off hormonal birth control
-How to support your body naturally
-What "post-birth control syndrome" actually looks like
Until then, keep asking questions. Your body is wise—and you deserve to understand it.
With heart,
Dr Sydney Baker
Naturopathic Doctor, hormone nerd, body literacy enthusiast
P.S. Got questions about birth control, hormones, or how to transition off? Drop them in the comments or reply to this email—I love hearing from you.