Your Period Is a Vital Sign: Why Birth Control Isn’t Always the Best Solution
Your Period Is a Vital Sign: Why Birth Control Isn’t Always the Best Solution
When it comes to women’s health, the menstrual cycle is often dismissed as little more than an inconvenience. But the truth is, your period is a vital sign. Just like your heart rate or blood pressure, it provides critical insights into your health.
So why is it that so many women are told that irregular, painful, or heavy periods are “normal”? Spoiler alert: they’re not.
What’s Your Cycle Telling You?
An abnormal cycle—whether it’s severe pain, mood swings, heavy bleeding, infrequent periods, or no period at all—is your body’s way of waving a red flag. Something isn’t right, and you shouldn’t ignore it.
Unfortunately, the go-to response from many healthcare providers is to offer birth control as a quick fix. While birth control may mask the symptoms, it doesn’t address the root of the problem. Worse, it can come with serious risks that many women aren’t fully informed about.
The Risks of Birth Control
Birth control is often handed out as a one-size-fits-all solution for everything from acne to heavy periods to perimenopausal symptoms. But it’s not without its dangers.
Hormonal birth control has been linked to serious health risks, including:
- Increased risk of blood clots: This can lead to life-threatening conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism.
- Stroke: Particularly in women who smoke, have migraines with aura, or are over 35.
- Heart attack: Especially in those with existing cardiovascular risk factors.
- Liver damage: Long-term use can strain your liver, which processes the hormones in birth control.
- Mental health impacts: Many women experience increased anxiety, depression, or mood swings.
And let’s not forget the subtler, yet significant, effects:
- Depleted nutrients: Birth control can rob your body of vital nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc.
- Disrupted partner selection: Studies suggest hormonal contraceptives can even alter attraction and partner preferences.
This isn’t to say you should never take birth control—it’s a personal choice. But you deserve to understand the full picture before making that decision.
Period Problems Are NOT Normal
Heavy bleeding, severe cramps, irregular cycles, or missed periods are not things you should just “put up with.” These symptoms are your body’s way of telling you something isn’t working as it should. Common causes include:
- Hormonal imbalances (e.g., PCOS, thyroid dysfunction)
- Chronic stress or poor diet
- Insulin resistance or inflammation
Masking these issues with birth control doesn’t solve them—it just pushes them further down the road.
Taking Back Control
If you’re looking for alternatives to hormonal birth control, there are effective methods out there, including natural cycle tracking. While this requires some effort, there are excellent books and resources available to help you learn how to do it safely and effectively.
More importantly, addressing the underlying causes of period problems can lead to better health, not just now but for the rest of your life.
Listen to Your Body
Your menstrual cycle is more than just a monthly inconvenience. It’s a vital sign that reflects your overall health. Ignoring period problems—or masking them with birth control—robs you of the opportunity to truly heal.
At Sigma Health, we believe women deserve answers, not Band-Aids. Don’t settle for being told your symptoms are “just the way it is.” You have the power to take control of your health and your body.
Closing Thought
Your period isn’t the enemy—it’s a messenger. Tune in, take action, and give your body the care it deserves. Ready to take the next step? Let’s talk.