Thinking of Putting Your Teen on Birth Control for Symptoms? Think Again!

September 24, 2024

As a parent, it’s natural to want to find quick and effective solutions for your teenager’s health challenges. Many physicians prescribe birth control pills to young women experiencing issues like acne, menstrual cramps, heavy periods, mood swings, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). While these pills can alleviate symptoms temporarily, it’s important to ask: is this the best long-term solution for your daughter’s health?

Before making a decision, let’s examine the potential side effects of birth control pills and discuss alternative, natural solutions, including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). At Hotze Health & Wellness Center, we believe that symptoms can be addressed naturally, without the risks associated with synthetic hormones. 

The Symptoms Commonly Treated with Birth Control Pills

Many young women are prescribed birth control, not for contraception, but to treat the following symptoms:

• Acne: Hormonal imbalances can trigger acne flare-ups, leading doctors to prescribe birth control to regulate hormones.
• Menstrual Cramps (Dysmenorrhea): Painful cramps during menstruation are often treated with birth control pills to reduce the severity.
• Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia): Birth control pills are commonly used to control heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Mood Swings: Hormonal fluctuations before or during menstruation can cause emotional instability, and birth control is sometimes used to stabilize these mood swings.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects many young women. It is characterized by irregular periods, excess androgen (male hormone), and small cysts on the ovaries. Doctors often prescribe birth control to manage these symptoms and regulate periods. Let’s look at PCOS a little more deeply.

The Problem with PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is becoming an increasingly common diagnosis among young women. It is a complex hormonal disorder that affects the ovaries, leading to symptoms such as:

• Irregular periods or no periods at all
• Excess androgen (male hormone) levels, which can cause acne and excessive hair growth
• Ovarian cysts
• Weight gain
• Mood swings and depression

Many doctors prescribe birth control pills as a treatment for PCOS because they can help regulate periods and reduce androgen levels. However, this approach doesn’t address the underlying hormonal imbalance driving PCOS symptoms. Instead, it covers up the symptoms without treating the root cause.

While birth control may seem like an easy fix for PCOS and other hormonal issues common to young women, it’s crucial to understand that the synthetic hormones found in these pills can come with significant side effects.

The Side Effects of Birth Control Pills

Though birth control pills may provide symptom relief, they also carry a host of potential side effects. These side effects are a result of the synthetic hormones (progestin and synthetic estrogen) present in the pills, which can disrupt the body’s natural hormonal balance. Common side effects of birth control pills include:

• Weight gain
• Nausea
• Headaches or migraines
• Mood swings or depression
• Risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack
• Breast tenderness
• Spotting between periods

Based on published research, the long-term use of birth control has also been linked to a heightened risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast (1) and cervical (2). (See the References Section below for the specific studies utilized and for more information.) In addition, birth control pills do not address the root cause of hormonal imbalances but merely mask symptoms temporarily. Once the pill is stopped, symptoms often return, sometimes more severe than before. 

Synthetic vs. Bioidentical Hormones for Young Women

Synthetic hormones, like those found in birth control pills, are not identical to the hormones naturally produced by the human body. Instead, they are chemically altered versions, which the body may not metabolize effectively, leading to the aforementioned side effects. In contrast, bioidentical hormones are derived from plant or animal sources and are structurally identical to the hormones produced by the body. This means the body can recognize and use them more efficiently, leading to fewer side effects and better symptom management.

For young women dealing with symptoms like acne, heavy periods, mood swings, or PCOS, the Hotze Health & Wellness Center offers a safer, more natural approach to hormone balance. 

Why Choose the Hotze Health & Wellness Center Approach Over Birth Control Pills?

Given the risks associated with birth control pills, it’s important to consider alternative treatments that address the root cause of hormonal imbalances. Our individualized approaches provide young women with a more natural option that can effectively treat the most common hormonal symptoms experienced without the harmful side effects of synthetic hormones.

Our approach to PCOS provides an excellent example of the way we address root causes. One of the most common contributors to PCOS is insulin resistance, which can lead to high blood sugar levels and contribute to the hormonal imbalances seen in this condition. We advocate for an individualized and holistic approach to treating PCOS, including dietary changes that focus on reducing sugar and processed carbohydrates. In fact, reducing sugar intake has been shown to improve symptoms of PCOS significantly, including reducing acne, weight gain, and irregular periods (3). Supplementation with vitamins like zinc, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids can also help to regulate hormones naturally.

In addition to dietary changes and supplementation, we use bioidentical hormone therapy to restore balance to the body’s natural hormone levels. This approach allows the body to heal itself and reduces symptoms without the negative side effects associated with synthetic hormones.

The Safety Profile of Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Research supports the safety and efficacy of BHRT, especially when compared to synthetic hormones. A key difference is that bioidentical hormones have a molecular structure that is identical to the hormones naturally produced by the ovaries, making them a safer choice for young women. According to studies, bioidentical progesterone has a better safety profile than synthetic progestins, with a lower risk of side effects like blood clots, breast tenderness, and mood disturbances (4).

At the Hotze Health & Wellness Center, we emphasize a natural approach to hormone balance. We consider each individual’s unique hormonal needs and provide personalized BHRT protocols. For instance, in appropriate cases, by administering bioidentical progesterone during the luteal phase on days 15-28 of the cycle (5), we mimic the body’s natural rhythm, allowing for better regulation of symptoms like acne and menstrual irregularities.

For Your Teen’s Long-Term Health, Think Twice!

If you are considering putting your teen on birth control for symptom relief, think again. There are safer, more natural solutions available. Bioidentical hormone therapy, combined with lifestyle changes and proper nutritional support, can offer your daughter long-term relief from her symptoms, with fewer risks from the side effects of synthetic hormones, and better long-term outcomes.

Don’t let your teen continue to struggle with the physical and emotional effects of hormone imbalance!  Contact us today at 281-698-8698 to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our Wellness Consultants. Our Wellness Consultant will visit with you to gain an understanding of your daughter’s symptoms and to ensure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for her care.

References

1. Morch, Lina Scheller, et al. “Contemporary Hormonal Contraception and the Risk of Breast Cancer.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 377, no. 23, 2017, pp. 2228-2239. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa1700732.
2. Iversen, Lisa, et al. “Cervical Cancer and Long-Term Hormonal Contraceptive Use: A Cohort Study in 1 Million Women in Denmark.” British Journal of Cancer, vol. 119, no. 3, 2018, pp. 411-417. DOI:10.1038/s41416-018-0162-7.
3. 1: Azziz, Ricardo. “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Review.” International Journal of Health Sciences, vol. 4, no. 1, 2010, pp. 34-48.
4. 2: Holtorf, K. “The Evidence-Based Use of Bioidentical Hormones in the Treatment of Menopause and Related Health Conditions.” Postgraduate Medicine, vol. 122, no. 4, 2010, pp. 73-85.
5. 3. Yonkers, Kimberly A. et al. “Efficacy of Luteal Phase Dosing with Progesterone in the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome.” Climacteric, vol. 17, no. 4, 2014, pp. 387-394.

Categories: Menstrual Cycle, Teen Acne, Teen Health, Uncategorized

Tags: acne, breast tenderness, depression, excess androgen, irregular periods, Menstrual Cycle, menstrual cycle pain, Mood Swings, ovarian cysts, PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome, spotting, teen, teen acne, weight gain

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