Thinking About Getting Off the Pill? Here’s How to Support Your Body Naturally
If you’re one of many women considering stopping hormonal birth control, you’re not alone. In recent years, more and more women have been re-evaluating their relationship with the Pill—not just because they’re ready to start a family, but because they want to reconnect with their natural cycle or are experiencing unwanted side effects.
But for many, coming off the Pill can feel scary—especially if you went on it originally to manage painful periods, heavy bleeding, acne, or irregular cycles. You might be wondering: Will all my symptoms come back? Can my body handle a natural cycle? What if I don’t ovulate?
These are valid concerns—and with the right support, you can take steps to ease the transition, nourish your body, and even come out stronger than before.
Why Come Off Hormonal Birth Control?
Some women are choosing to stop taking the Pill because they’re trying to conceive or preparing their bodies for pregnancy. Others are simply tired of the side effects that have slowly crept in over the years—things like:
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- Weight gain
- Fatigue or burnout
- Gut issues like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
- Low libido
- Nutrient deficiencies
If this resonates with you, know that these symptoms are not “just in your head.” Synthetic hormones can have real effects on the gut, brain, and endocrine system. But the good news is: your body has the wisdom to rebalance—it just needs the right tools.
What Happens to the Body on the Pill?
While the Pill can be helpful in managing symptoms in the short term due to the steroid-like action of the hormones, long-term use can deplete the nutrients your body needs to make hormones naturally. It can also suppress your natural hormonal rhythm, interfere with ovulation, and create inflammation in the gut, liver, and brain.
This is why a thoughtful post-Pill protocol is so important—whether you’re coming off after six months or 15 years.
Post-Hormonal Birth Control: Basic Treatment Guidelines
Our goal is to support your body in making hormones naturally again—while reducing inflammation and replenishing what’s been lost.
🧠 The 6 Core Goals:
- Replenish Nutrients depleted by the Pill– especially B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and essential fatty acids
- Support Thyroid and Adrenal Health – the foundation of healthy estrogen and progesterone production
- Heal the Gut – to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and support hormone detox
- Restore Regular Bowel Movements – daily, well-formed poops are crucial for estrogen clearance
- Soothe the Nervous System – stress raises cortisol and lowers progesterone
- Support Liver Detox – your liver helps metabolize excess hormones and toxins
🥑 Step 1: Eat Nutrient-Dense, Hormone-Healing Foods
Focus on whole, organic, anti-inflammatory foods to replenish your body. Include:
- Organic vegetables (especially leafy greens and cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage)
- Whole grains, lentils, nuts, and seeds
- Grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, pasture-raised poultry
- Healthy fats: olive oil, avocado, ghee, coconut oil
🔑 Key Nutrient: Vitamin B6
B6 supports ovulation and progesterone production. Get it from:
- Sweet potatoes, bananas, spinach
- Salmon, chicken, grass-fed beef
💧 Step 2: Hydrate + Move Gently
- Drink half your body weight in ounces of filtered water daily (add a pinch of sea salt for electrolytes or this clean electrolyte brand I love)
- Move your body daily, even for just 10 minutes—walking, stretching, dancing, or strength training- gets toxins moving through the lymphatic system and helps balance cortisol
- Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep on a consistent schedule
🧬 Step 3: Targeted Supplement Support
Supplements can fill in the gaps and support your transition. Get my curated Post-Pill healing protocol here. You can start it while your still on the Pill to support your body and ease the transition getting off the pill.
- Multivitamin: Phytomulti with iron by Metagenics
- B-complex: Stress B-complex by
- Omega-3s: Nordic Naturals ProEPA
- Magnesium Glycinate: Pure Encapsulations – helps with sleep, stress, and hormone balance
- Gut Healing:
- Intestinal Repair Complex (Nutra BioGenesis)
- Collagen peptides or bone broth
- Digestive bitters (Herb Pharm) or enzymes
- Probiotic: Garden of Life Primal Defense Ultra
🧪 What If Your Period Doesn’t Return?
It can take time for your body to re-establish a regular cycle. But if you haven’t ovulated or had a period within 3 months, consider running some labs with your practitioner:
- Thyroid panel
- CBC, CMP, iron/ferritin
- Testosterone, free testosterone, androstenedione
- 17-OH progesterone, progesterone, estrogen
- Prolactin, vitamin D
- Fasting insulin, HbA1C
You Deserve to Feel at Home in Your Body
Coming off the Pill is a decision you don’t have to make blindly or fearfully. With the right nourishment, lifestyle, and gentle support, you can give your body what it needs to thrive—naturally.
Whether you’re preparing to conceive or simply want to reconnect with your cycle and feel more like you, there is a path forward. And it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Need help getting started?
Reach out to a naturopathic doctor or functional medicine practitioner to help personalize your post-Pill plan. Working with a trained cycle charting practitioner (such as Creighton or Marquette) will also help you gain confidence in living in harmony with your natural cycles.
You’re not broken. Your body is capable. And healing is possible.
About Dr. Whelan
Dr. Whelan is a highly regarded licensed naturopathic doctor (N.D.) and Creighton Model FertilityCare™ Medical Consultant. She is renowned for her expertise in treating PCOS and endometriosis. Her practice specializes in lifestyle medicine, nutritional counseling, botanical medicine, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Selecting Dr. Whelan as your women’s health expert ensures you receive a doctor who listens to your concerns, identifies the root causes of your health issues, and supports you with preventive care to help you achieve your best possible life.
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