Nutrients to consider after stopping the pill
On Instagram, I did a poll around pill usage and regularity of one’s cycle once they came off the pill. The results were super interesting, and I would like to thank everyone for their responses!
In summary, most people that answered had been on the pill at some point in their life, and most people got a period the following month. However, when asked when their cycles returned back to normal, there was an even split between the next month and 6 months or more.
If you do a google search, theoretically you should be able to fall pregnant after stopping your pill, but for some this takes much longer, and sometimes requires the help of assisted reproductive services. Before you get to that stage though, it is important to look at your nutrition. Multiple pieces of research would suggest that being on the pill can interact with absorption of many key nutrients that are important for conception and a healthy pregnancy. Some of the main nutrients the pill may interact with are several B vitamins (B2, B6 and B12), folic acid (B9) magnesium, selenium, and zinc.
Nutrients the Pill may interact with:
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Collectively the B group vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B7) assist with healthy hair, skin and nails, energy production, energy conversion, nerve function and brain processes in the body. As you are pregnant, and sharing everything with your growing baby, it is essential that you are able to have the right tools (in this case B VITAMINS) to assist with energy production and to convert your food into energy for your body. Good sources of B vitamins include dairy, wholegrain foods, leafy green vegetables, and meat.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Important in pregnancy as it is involved in foetal brain development, and immune function. This extends into infancy. Vitamin B6 also has evidence behind it to say that some women may benefit from including more of this vitamin in their diet, or taking a supplement to reduce symptoms of PMS, such as irritability, mood, and bloating. Vitamin B6 has also been shown to be effective in curbing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy specifically and is often recommended by GPs for this reason. As with most of the B vitamins, you can find them in green leafy vegetables, fish, meat and poultry, nuts and fruit.
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Has a role in mental alertness, DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation and the conversion of energy. Vitamin B12 also relies on folate to work correctly, as each depends on the other. This is important during pregnancy as it can help to prevent spina bifida, and other central nervous system birth defects. Given that it has been shown in the research that the pill may impact folate metabolism, it is crucial that you focus on including vitamin B12 foods in your diet! It is crucial that you focus on including vitamin B12 foods in your diet! Vitamin B12 is mostly found in animal products, so those who are vegan, or vegetarian can be at risk of B12 deficiency (pregnant or non-pregnant) and may need to take a supplement. We can find B12 in milk, eggs, crab, mussels, fish, meat/poultry, and fortified breakfast cereals
Folic Acid (Folate B9)
Most people are aware that an insufficient amount of folate can cause neural tube defects, leading to spina bifida. The neural tube is a collection of cells that eventually go on to form the brain and spinal cord. Women who have been on the pill have a less favourable folate status when compared to women who were not on the pill. The research has shown that the pill may impair folate metabolism so once coming off the pill it is important to have some preliminary blood work to see where you are sitting. There has even been some evidence to show that the time it takes to conceive can be influenced by your folate status. Folate is found in cruciferous vegetables (broccoli and brussel sprouts), peas, chickpeas/kidney beans, and folic acid fortified breakfast cereals.
Magnesium
Research has shown that external oestrogen hormone (i.e., the contraceptive pill) can deplete magnesium stores and cause deficiency, and this can be worsened in those who have inadequate intakes of dietary magnesium. Magnesium is widely found in many foods such as nuts and seeds, spinach, bread, milk and wholegrains.
Selenium
Selenium is involved in thyroid function. Multiple studies around the use of the oral contraceptive pill have found that the pill affects the absorption of selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant so low intake of this nutrient can be associated with increased levels of cancers and cardiovascular disease. It is also a nutrient that is important for fertility. Foods that provide selenium are brazil nuts, fish, meat and poultry, cottage cheese and eggs.
Zinc
Zinc is good for immune health, is involved in regulating each stage of wound healing and plays a role in collagen production. It is also involved in DNA and gene expression. Again, the research has shown that women who used the pill had lower zinc levels due to changes in absorption. Zinc is vital for conception, especially for the boys as semen has high concentrations of zinc! You can find zinc in wholegrains, legumes, and meat & poultry.
Coming off the pill – final thoughts:
The research is interesting, because a certain percentage of women are on the pill for conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome, heavy or painful periods, and endometriosis or adenomyosis. It’s very hard to say whether the pill affects absorption of these nutrients, truly does deplete you of these nutrients or if the population that has been chosen in these studies is a population that is already deficient in certain nutrients given their health conditions. From a nutritional perspective, it is best to be off the pill for 6 months to a year to regulate your cycle, and to work on correcting any deficiencies before trying for a baby. Seeing a pregnancy dietitian that specialises in this area can assist you with this! Book a consultation today or send me a message to find out how I can guide you!
Did any of this surprise you? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time,
Big Sis x
