UPDATE ON QUITTING BIRTH CONTROL
I have promised several of you on Instagram an update on how everything is going with me quitting the birth control pill (I'm also having some lovely conversations with others doing the same thing, it's so nice to be in the same situation and have someone to share it with).
So, it's time for a little update on how everything has been going so far. And I'm well aware that it's only been a short amount of time and that things can change quickly, but then I'll of course update upon this if that happens.
The last day I took the pill was on November 14th 2017, and as usually my menstruation came a few days after, but that was just as anticipated because that would also have happened if I continued to take the pill. So I wasn't really that nervous about the first menstruation. The one I had been a bit nervous about was the first "natural" menstruation. I have heard several stories where people go 1-3 years without getting their menstruation. And I certainly didn't want that, because I view having my menstruation regularly as a clear sign of having a healthy functioning body, and that is what I want to have.But no need to be nervous, my first natural menstruation came only 1-2 days "behind schedule" (according to my menstruation apps). I had a little bit of headache on the first day, but not as bad as it has been for the many past menstruations (crossing my fingers that this will only improve).
Have I experienced any symptoms?
I got my menstruation at the right time, and I still haven't had cramps or anything. I've gotten a few more blemishes in places where I don't usually get it, but not that many. So I cross my fingers that it won't get worse, and I do my best to make my body function as well as possible, and I believe that over time this will improve my skin as well.But one of the best things is that I can completely feel it on my mood! I feel so much happier and healthier now that I'm not filling my body with disturbing hormones. I want to listen to music and dance around, and I just feel so much better than I have done in a long time.
What I am doing to stabilise my hormones
Vitex supplementAs already mentioned I've been taking a supplement called vitex which is supposed to help you stabilise your hormones.Maca powder I've also been putting 1 tsp of maca powder in my oatmeal every morning, this also helps to stabilise hormones.RelaxingI've learned a lot through reading the book womancode* and from an online workshop with Carolina, and one of the most important things when it comes to stabilising your hormones is simply learning to just relax. Don't stress too much, take it easy and just relax. So, I've been drinking lots of tea, tried not to have too many things scheduled in my calendar and I've also just been laying on the couch and been relaxing completely.Eating vegetables!One of the best things you can do for your body to make it function as well as possible is to give it a lot of fibre! Eat a lot of vegetables, in a variety of colours (but especially those dark green ones such as kale, broccoli and spinach!). So I've tried to do some more meal prepping and made sure to eat plenty of vegetables. This is also one of the best things you can do for your skin!
So, what do I use for protection now?
You might wonder, "well, if you quit birth control and you are still in a relationship, then what do you use for protection for not becoming pregnant?", Quiet simple and very old fashioned, condoms. I've also invested in a Lady-Comp machine (another blogpost about that another time), but it takes a little while before the computer really "knows you", and therefore it will take a while before it says that it is safe to have sex without condoms. I should also mention that this machine is of course not protecting against unwanted sexual diseases and is therefore only recommended to use if you are in a committed relationship. If you are not, then condoms is of course the best way to protect against these kind of diseases.I've also started to really try to learn more about my overall cycle through reading the book Womancode and through the apps Clue and MyFLO. I find it extremely interesting to try to live more in alignment with my own cycle, so I'm all about learning more about that and myself at the moment.