*No, contrary to popular belief, the pill does not trick your body into thinking it's pregnant. It actually puts your body in a state that closely resembles menopause. Yes, you read that correctly.

*Keep reading to peruse possible side effects, good & bad...

• pregnancy prevention, obviously
• reduction in the risk of breast and cervical cancers
• less painful and shorter cycles
• blood clots
• gallbladder disease
• heart attack
• high blood pressure
• stroke
• loss of vision 
• increased or decreased acne
• bone and mineral loss / calcification
• bleeding or spotting between periods
• bloating
• digestive problems
• yeast infections
• fertility disorders
• increased blood pressure
• insulin resistance
• decrease in hypothalamus size, which corresponds to an increase in anger and depressive symptoms. So yes, it’s not just our imagination.
• depression - The risk of depression is significant for adolescents because the brain is still forming. Typically, those depressive symptoms will persist into adulthood even if she discontinues use of the pill. 
• suicide
• increased or decreased anxiety
• fatigue
• dizziness
• fluid retention
• insomnia
• mood swings
• nausea
• tenderness or pain in the breasts
• vomiting
• weight gain or weight loss
• unwanted hair growth
• hair loss
• lowered libido
• severe mineral deficiencies
• increased risk of diabetes
• increased risk of thyroid disorders
• reduction in bone density over time
• skin issues like dry skin or melasma (dark patches on the face)
• increase in the risk of endometrial, liver, ovarian, and colorectal cancers
• headaches/migraines may be alleviated or they may become worse
• increased or decreased appetite
• more risk for severe Covid-19 outcomes - Women who are on HBC do not typically ovulate. Ovulation has been shown in research to be a protection against Covid-19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32697835/    https://femmhealth.org/health-and-symptoms/recent-study-ovulating-is-good-for-fighting-covid-19/)

• 1 in 6 people are affected by infertility globally, according to the World Health Organization as of April 4, 2023.
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) can be the cause of up to 75% of infertility for women.
• IVF Failure Rate with first IVF cycle according to a Sart 2022 National Summary Report:
  • <35 years of age = Fails 66% of the time
  • 35-37 = Fails 74% of the time
  • 38-40 = Fails 84% of the time 
  • 41-42 = Fails 92% of the time
  • >42 = Fails 97% of the time
• On average, if IVF is successful, it takes 3.7 rounds to achieve pregnancy. 
• A single IVF cycle costs between $12,000 and $30,000 depending on your medication needs.
• 4 IVF rounds would cost approximately $48,000 - $120,000.
• Revamping your lifestyle with proper sleep, cyclical nutrition, cyclical exercise, cycle charting, and a reduction of endocrine disrupting chemicals can help many people achieve pregnancy naturally and offer a better chance of carrying a healthy baby to term. I teach all of this in my courses and programs.

According to the World Health Organization, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age.

• Symptoms of PCOS include: heavy, long, intermittent, unpredictable or absent periods, infertility, acne or oily skin, excessive hair on the face or body, male-pattern baldness or hair thinning, weight gain, especially around the belly.
• PCOS affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive-age, accoring to womenshealth.gov.
• Up to 70% of affected women remain undiagnosed worldwide.
• PCOS is the most common cause of anovulation and a leading cause of infertility.
• Officially there is no known cure for PCOS, but there are things you can do to rebalance your hormones and reduce these symptoms. This is part of what I teach in my courses and offerings.

Menstruation is your fifth vital sign. Ovulation is significant not only for reproduction, but it's immensely important for your general health as well.

Confidently track your cycle and confirm ovulation using the Fertility Awareness Method.

FAM is a non-hormonal, science-based, natural birth control method that is...

 Up to 99% effective when used correctly and when you have a trained teacher guiding you.

FAM can also be used to achieve pregnancy.

**As a fertility awareness educator, this is my wheel house. If you're interested in learning, I'd love to help you.