Several studies have looked into birth control’s impact on a person’s nutrient levels. Most were focused on Oral Contraceptive in the form of the pill, but even implants and creams/patches were shown to have an impact on several important nutrients.
There are also links to increased risk of a type of blood clot called thromboembolism. Low B12 is linked to anemia and high homocysteine, which also increase blood clot risk.
The pill is essentially burning up important components of methylation. Depending on a person’s gene status, nutritional intake, activity level, etc, some or all of these nutrients may run out sooner than they would have without the influence of the pill.
By nurturing our body with these and other nutrients, we can give it the building blocks it needs to get back to it’s usual self.
Nutrients Depleted by Birth Control:
- Magnesium
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Folate
- CoQ10
- B2
- B6
- B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
Potential Symptoms Involved:
- B2 – riboflavin deficiency aka ariboflavinosis
- Weakness
- Throat swelling/soreness
- Swollen tongue
- Skin cracking (including cracked corners of the mouth)
- Dermatitis
- Anemia
- Blurred vision and itching, watering, sore, or bloodshot eyes
- Eyes becoming light-sensitive and easily fatigued – https://www.justvitamins.co.uk/blog/vitamin-b2-riboflavin-deficiency-risk-and-symptoms/
- B6 – pyridoxine
- Skin rashes
- Cracked and sore lips
- Sore, glossy tongue
- Mood changes
- Weakened immune system
- Tiredness and low energy
- Tingling and Pain in Hands and Feet
- Seizures – https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-b6-deficiency-symptoms
- B9 – folate
- Tiredness, fatigue and lethargy
- Muscle weakness
- Neurological signs, such as a feeling of pins and needles, tingling, or burning, or peripheral neuropathy, i.e. a numbness in the extremities
- Psychological problems, such as depression, confusion, memory problems, problems of judgement and understanding
- Gastrointestinal signs, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhea
- Headache and dizziness
- Pallor
- Shortness of breath – https://ada.com/conditions/folate-deficiency/
- B12 – cobalamin
- Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness
- Heart palpitations and shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- A smooth tongue
- Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or gas
- Nerve problems like numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems walking
- Vision loss
- Mental problems like depression, memory loss, or behavioral changes – https://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-b12-deficiency-symptoms-causes
- Vitamin C – ascorbic acid deficiency aka scurvy
- Tiredness and weakness
- Muscle and joint pains
- Easy bruising
- Spots that look like tiny, red-blue bruises on your skin
- Dry skin
- Splitting hair
- Swelling and discoloration of your gums
- Sudden and unexpected bleeding from your gums
- Nosebleeds
- Poor healing of wounds
- Problems fighting infections
- Bleeding into joints, causing severe joint pains
- Changes in your bones
- Tooth loss
- Weight loss – https://patient.info/healthy-living/vitamin-c-deficiency-leaflet
- Vitamin E deficiency sometimes referred to as abetalipoproteinemia
- Muscle weakness
- Coordination and walking difficulties
- Numbness and tingling
- Vision deterioration
- Immune system problems
- Magnesium deficiency aka hypomagnesemia
- Muscle Twitches and Cramps
- Mental Disorders
- Personality changes
- Osteoporosis
- Fatigue and Muscle Weakness
- High Blood Pressure
- Asthma
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Seizures – https://www.healthline.com/health/hypomagnesemia
- Selenium
- Symptoms of hypothyroidism
- Mental slowing
- Goiter
- Mental retardation
- Miscarriages – http://adoptionnutrition.org/what-every-parent-needs-to-know/common-nutrient-deficiencies/selenium-deficiency-keshan-disease/
- Infertility in men and women
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Mental fog
- Hair loss
- Weakened immune system – https://www.healthline.com/health/selenium-deficiency
- Zinc deficiency aka acrodermatitis enteropathica
- Altered/loss of taste and smell
- Anorexia (lack or loss of appetite)
- Apathy
- Ataxic gait (uncoordinated movements)
- Decreased immunity
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Excessive hair loss
- Fine tremor (unintentional muscle movement)
- Impaired cognitive function
- Impaired memory
- Poor night vision
- Poor wound healing
- Prostatism
- Slurred speech
- Some forms of dermatitis
- White spotting of nails – https://foodal.com/knowledge/paleo/signs-you-may-be-zinc-deficient/
- CoQ10
- Sore, aching muscles
- Muscle weakness
- Chronic fatigue
- Mental confusion
- Gingivitis
- Poor cardiovascular health, such as elevated blood pressure and high cholesterol levels
- Seizures & other neurological problems
- Vision and/or hearing loss – https://www.qunol.com/blogs/blog/coq10-deficiency-symptoms
- And so much more!
B1 Thiamin https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/528156/
The World Health Organization (WHO) checks out influences of nutrient requirements for anyone consuming OCs(Oral Contraceptives). – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23852908
Young women using OCP had significantly lower serum vitamin B12 concentrations. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24067390
Effects of oral, vaginal, and transdermal hormonal contraception on serum levels of coenzyme q(10), vitamin e, and total antioxidant activity. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15013271
The median levels of vitamin B6 and B12 were significantly lower in OC users than in non-users. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15013271
Last updated 02/13/2020