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The Pill Can do WHAT?!

1/12/2017

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I have yet to meet a single woman who has taken birth control without experiencing any side effects at all. When I meet women who say they don’t experience any ill effects, I usually ask some specific questions.

Things like:
  • How is your digestive health?
  • Do you experience restful nights of sleep on a consistent basis?
  • How is your sex drive?
  • Do you have regular periods? Or do you even have a period?
  • Do you have acne?

I can guarantee these ladies have health issues and likely have no idea they are being caused by their birth control “frienemy”. Now I know that there are women who would swear by their birth control and that’s totally cool (everyone has to make their own decision), but the reality is that not all women are created equal. While the pill might be a good experience for some, it can be equally awful for others because we all have different kinds of hormone receptors. Women with less sensitive hormone receptors tend to have a lot more birth control side effects.

What I do know for sure is that birth control does not allow our beautiful bodies to function optimally. In fact, one study found that 32 percent of 1,657 women who started taking oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) discontinued them within six months; 46 percent of the discontinuations were due to side effects. Yes, almost half! 

You should be concerned if you have experienced any of the following birth control side effects:My

Aching Head!


Some women experience migraines when they first begin taking birth control pills. Basically a drop in estrogen levels can trigger migraines, and if you’re on a low dose pill, your estrogen will likely be lower than what your body is accustomed to making naturally. What is frightening to me is that if you are experiencing migraines while on the pill the majority of doctors will start adjusting your hormone dosages to figure out a way to balance out your hormones chemically, which can only cause additional health issues down the road. If the source of the migraines is the synthetic hormones in birth control, then the only solution is to eliminate the culprit and figure out a healthier alternative to prevent pregnancy.

Spotting is for the Gym Ladies

As if bleeding during “that week” isn’t bad enough for many women, some forms of birth control actually cause spotting or breakthrough bleeding throughout the month. This is usually caused by an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. Progestin-only methods like the Mirena IUD, Depo-Provera shot, and Nexplanon implant are the most common offenders. Additionally, progestin-only pills need to be taken at the exact same time every day and even a little deviation can cause irregular bleeding.

Sore Breasts are for the Birds

Since most birth control methods are created to make your body feel “as if” it were pregnant it shouldn’t be a big surprise that your body will feel pregnancy-like symptoms. Anything from mild breast tenderness to don’t-touch-me sore boobs may occur as a side effect of birth control.

What’s up with all these stomach problems!

Do you know that the birth control pill actually messes with your gut bacteria? Yup, many women become estrogen dominant while taking hormonal birth control which can lead to an overgrowth of yeast. This overgrowth can cause constipation, diarrhea, gas/bloating – all of which are commonly diagnosed as IBS. I was plagued with horrible digestive problems for the four years I was on the pill and it took me ages to reverse the damage. And I see women on a daily basis whose gut problems all began while on the pill.

Ack, yeast infections too?

I was also plagued by chronic yeast infections when I was on the pill because of the imbalance in my gut bacteria. Unfortunately for women, that bacteria can easily travel from the anus to the vagina, especially if you’re wiping in the wrong direction. No fun! Quitting the BC usually puts an end to these bacterial infections and just FYI, these kinds of infections can mess with your ability to get pregnant.

Nutritional deficiencies…

What is not usually discussed is the fact that in order for the liver to metabolize birth control pills, it requires extra amounts of B-complex vitamins (especially B2, B6 and B12), vitamin C, magnesium and zinc. If you’re taking birth control for years on end, as are most women, you’re creating serious deficiencies of these crucial nutrients. Most women don’t realize this until after they have come off they pill and they’re contending with bouts of cystic acne, mood disorders, weight gain, sporadic periods and infertility.

Why Can’t I Fit Into These Jeans?

Ever had a PMS-fueled late night munchies session? Yeah, I know, who hasn’t right? While studies show that hormonal birth control does not cause weight gain, I’ve seen enough women in my practice who say otherwise! I don’t think most women take the pill and suddenly put on 15lbs, but it definitely seems to have a more indirect effect on appetite and weight gain.

Women who use a combination of estrogen and progesterone show lower levels of ghrelin (“I’m hungry” hormone) and higher levels of leptin (“I’m full” hormone) than do women who use estrogen-only birth control. Which means that combination pills might mean less weight gain than estrogen-only pills or progestin-only birth control options. 

It appears the biggest offender of birth control-induced weight gain is the Depo-Provera shot with some women gaining 11 pounds and going up 2 dress sizes!

No Boom Boom in the Bedroom

In most cases you went on the pill to not get pregnant. Well, there’s no better way to not get pregnant than to not have sex. It is widely known that birth control pills can lower your libido but it can also have other unpleasant effects. First, birth control pills thicken and dry up your cervical fluid creating the dreaded “dry down there” issue. This eventually leads to painful sex…And we all know if it’s painful we ain’t gonna’ do it.

Testosterone is almost entirely responsible for our sex drive and vaginal lubrication. And guess what? The pill causes the liver to increase production of a protein called Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin which binds to testosterone and makes it inactive. This is a no-no for your libido my friends. The only solution is to get OFF the pill. And post haste for you and your relationship’s sake. 

My Mood is Swinging 

Nothing drives me more insane than hearing someone suggest that it must be “her time of the month.” Uggggh! I know from my own personal experience – and from my experience with countless clients – that depression and anxiety can be balanced out naturally with diet and lifestyle changes in conjunction with coming off hormonal birth control. This is because estrogen is intricately linked with serotonin (that feel-good brain transmitter) so when estrogen drops (on low dose BC pills for instance) it takes down serotonin and your mood with it.

By using natural birth control methods you will not only ease the dreaded mood swings but you can communicate with your body in a new and exciting way. And I guarantee you will be able to say that you’ve never been happier or more even-keeled.

Adult Acne, Are You Kidding Me?

Aren’t breakouts supposed to be for teenagers? It turns out that even as an adult the hormonal ups and downs over the course of your cycle can cause unwanted zits. Many women go on birth control to reduce acne but the only reason their acne goes away is because the BC has a testosterone-lowering effect. Once they come off, their testosterone and other androgenic hormones begin to rise again and the acne comes back. The best way to help over-production of androgens is through food and supplements. I highly recommend making food and lifestyle changes about 4-8 weeks before going off the pill the ease the transition. Remember, your body can go into a frenzy trying to balance things out so a little patience goes a long way.

My Period Has Gone Missing! (Amenorrhea)

Taking your birth control pills correctly, every day, at the exact time, doesn’t guarantee that everything will go perfectly. In fact, some women on birth control will not get their period at all.

While you might rejoice at the thought of experiencing no period, it is no laughing matter. Amenorrhea is caused by too little estrogen and progesterone and if a doctor just prescribes a different birth control, it will just mask the issue instead of fixing it. The only way to address birth control-related amenorrhea is to come off the birth control and begin beefing up your diet and supplement regimen.

Source:  Birth Control Side Effects/Nicole Jardim
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Hollywood and Abortion

1/11/2017

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If we've learned anything in the last 12 months it's that we can't trust the media - and that the Hollywood elite has no respect for those of us who dare to disagree with their worldview.  It's made me sick to hear them pontificate about the "evils" to come now that Donald Trump has been elected - and to see them continue to undermine the legitimacy of his Presidency.  How many of them said they would leave the US if he got elected?  How many have actually left?  None, that I know of - and I really wish they would!  If they're that unhappy with the results - if they really think the sky is falling and no one is safe - then they should run for their lives while they have the chance (and don't let the door hit them in the butt on the way out the door!)  I'm commited now more than ever to boycotting mainstream media - and Hollywood.  Not to say that I won't be going to a movie ever again - but I certainly won't be going to one starring Meryl Streep or Jamie Foxx.  Why should I pay my good money to support people who have nothing but disdain for me and my views?

I, for one, am hopeful that Donald Trump will be good for our country.  I have hope that abortion will be limited - that we'll have another pro-life Supreme Court Justice.  I'm hopeful that my tax dollars will no longer be used to pay for abortion "on demand."  And - I hope that law and order will be restored, and that the punks trashing their own communities and killing cops will be held accountable for their actions.

Donald Trump: I Will Pick Replacement for the "Great, Great Justice Scalia" Two Weeks After Inauguration
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Happy New Year from San Diego Gas & Electric!

1/5/2017

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With the time period for Santa Ana Winds coming to an end and cooler weather settling in, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is partnering with customers to promote safety during the winter season. SDG&E offers customers free safety checks to make sure home gas appliances are operating safely and efficiently. Customers are encouraged to schedule these appliance checks by visiting sdge.com or calling 800-411-SDGE (7343).
 
“Safety is a top priority for SDG&E and is very important during the winter season because our customers often use holiday lighting, spend more time indoors and heat their homes to stay warm,” said Caroline Winn, vice president of customer service for SDG&E. “Scheduling an appliance safety check on sdge.com is an easy way for our customers to make sure their gas appliances are working properly.”
 
Customers can schedule an appointment by calling SDG&E at 800-411-7343 or by visiting the “Check My Appliances” link on SDG&E’s website. Once an appointment is scheduled, an SDG&E gas technician will check the furnace to make sure it is working properly and inspect the condition of the filter, which improves the furnace’s heating ability. 
 
By providing safety tips and free gas appliance checks, SDG&E is demonstrating its commitment to working with customers to promote safety every day in the community.  Building these partnerships not only helps ensure the safety of customers and their families during the winter season, it is also a key element of SDG&E’s efforts to promote public safety for the region overall. For more winter safety tips, visit sdge.com/winter.
 
If saving money and saving energy is on your list of new year’s resolutions, be sure to check out these two programs from SDG&E:
 
  • It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. Why not try SDG&E’s Level Pay? Balance out your monthly energy bills in 2017. Even if your energy usage goes up or down, your payment remains the same.
    http://www.sdge.com/customer-service/level-pay-plan
 
  • Looking for ways to save money in the new year? See if you qualify for @SDGE's CARE program discount: http://www.sdge.com/residential/care-video
 
                                                                #espsdge
​
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 A New Year - a New Life "in Christ!"

1/4/2017

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The New Year is always a good time to look back and evaluate where we’ve been - and think about where we’d like to go.  Sometimes, though, our past choices have a way of holding on, no matter how hard we try to move on, and “get on” with our lives.  Perhaps a bad relationship still has us in its grip - maybe the person is gone, but the emotional damage done replays in our minds, making it difficult to feel “safe” with someone new - someone better.  Or - that relationship pushed us into something we deeply regret - maybe an abortion - and we haven’t quite figured out how to let ourselves off the hook for what we’ve done.  We can try to forget - for years - but that regret can poison everything good that comes along - and we yearn for a fresh start - a new beginning.  While the past can’t be undone - some things just can’t be changed, we can learn new ways of looking at it - and learn how to forgive ourselves and others. And - we can choose to embrace the new life we’re offered - if we’re brave enough to stop pretending - and start the healing process.  

“There are some things that are just so painful that we try to bury it beyond memory.  I’ve learned from my own experience that no matter how deep I buried my pain, it always found a way out, and I was in a constant state of anxiety and fear.  When I finally stopped - faced the pain (and its cause) - I was able to move beyond it and into freedom,” said Sharon Pearce, the Executive Director of Silent Voices.  She and the staff are passionate about helping other women find that same freedom in a safe, nurturing environment.  We have over thirty years of experience helping women after an abortion - we can be trusted to help you sort out what’s going on - help you face your pain - and walk with you as you rediscover a truly wonderful person - the real you.  We can be reached by phone (619-422-0757) or by email (svoices@pacbell.net).
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    Author/Editor

    Sharon Pearce has served as the Director of Silent Voices since 1984, and has dedicated her life to speaking up for the unborn - and for the women who have been hurt by abortion.

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