Women’s Health

12 Common Side Effects of Quitting Birth Control
What Happens When You Stop Birth Control?

Women stop taking hormonal birth control for a variety of reasons. They may be considering getting pregnant or are interested in balancing their hormones naturally. Maybe they just don’t like how they feel on birth control. The benefits of getting off birth control include fewer side effects associated with hormonal contraception, including a reduced blood…

Read article
Bioidentical Hormones: Definition, Benefits and Side Effects
Bioidentical Hormones: Definition, Benefits and Side Effects

Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are structurally identical to the hormones in the human body, as opposed to synthetic sources that can cause major side effects. These hormones are available in pills, creams, gels, sprays, and vaginal inserts. Most of the time, bioidentical hormones are used in place of traditional HRT for women during premenopause…

Read article
Signs of Female Hormone Imbalance [Plus Tests & Treatments]
Signs of Female Hormone Imbalance [Plus Tests & Treatments]

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that carry out bodily functions such as reproduction, metabolism, and sleep. Depending on which gland is affected, hormonal imbalances in women may be responsible for weight change, mood swings, and infertility.  Up to 80% of women experience a hormone imbalance at some point. You can test for…

Read article
Period Poops: Why They Happen & How to Stop Them
Period Poops: Why They Happen & How to Stop Them

Period poops are often extreme due to the release of prostaglandins (a type of fatty acid) that happens when you shed your uterine lining. These prostaglandins relax the smooth muscle tissues in your uterus, which causes both menstrual cramps and diarrhea, constipation, and/or very smelly bowel movements. Period cramps and mood swings are usually the…

Read article
Why Am I Not Getting Pregnant? 13 Factors To Consider
Why Am I Not Getting Pregnant? 13 Factors To Consider

Starting a family is a profoundly personal journey, and facing a negative pregnancy test can be emotionally challenging. Unexplained infertility can feel even more disheartening. The World Health Organization defines infertility as the inability to conceive after 12 months (or 6 months if you’re over 35) of unprotected sex. One in 6 couples experience an…

Read article
12 Reasons You Can’t Sleep When You’re Tired
12 Reasons You Can’t Sleep When You’re Tired

Could something be wrong with me if I’m always tired but can’t sleep? There could be something wrong with you if you’re always tired but can’t sleep. There may be a sleep disorder at play, or your circadian rhythm is off. Your lifestyle and sleep hygiene matter, too. It’s important to take a whole-body approach…

Read article
Birth control and mood swings
Birth Control & Mood Swings: What You Need to Know

Any changes to your hormones can affect your mood. That includes natural changes during your menstrual cycle and changes caused by hormonal birth control. Does birth control increase mood swings? Birth control can increase mood swings, particularly in anyone with a history of depressive symptoms. Others may report a more balanced mood on certain types…

Read article
Recognizing Medical Gaslighting & What You Can Do About It
Recognizing Medical Gaslighting & What You Can Do About It

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation to force someone to question their own reality. In the case of medical gaslighting, it may not always be intentional. Your doctor may not even know there are biases at play in their decision-making or patient care. That doesn’t make it any less devastating on the patient side.…

Read article
15 Ways to Balance your Hormones
15 Ways to Balance Your Hormones

A hormonal imbalance happens when your body has too much or too little of a specific type of hormone. This can affect every aspect of your overall health, from your gut health to your emotional well-being.  Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options for those wondering how to balance hormones and put a stop…

Read article