Hey there, ladies! Let’s talk about estrogen and birth control pills, shall we? It’s funny how many of us fear estrogen but don’t think twice about popping birth control pills, which actually contain synthetic estrogen and progestins that can mess with our hormones and even thicken our blood.
But wait, there’s more! Did you know that taking estrogen without synthetic progestins can actually reduce the risk of breast cancer by 23% and the risk of dying from breast cancer by a whopping 44%? Meanwhile, birth control pills with synthetic progestins have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, anxiety, bone loss, and even earlier menopause.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, a recent study by Kirstin Pirie of the University of Oxford, UK, and colleagues found that both combined and progesterone-only contraceptives can increase the risk of breast cancer by 20% to 30% after just five years of use. That’s a scary statistic, ladies!
So, what can we do? Well, it’s important to know that not all estrogen is created equal. Non-bioidentical or synthetic estrogens have different molecular structures than the hormones our bodies are used to, while bioidentical hormones have the exact same molecular structure and are used by the body in the same way as our natural hormones. So, if you’re considering hormone replacement therapy, opt for bioidentical hormones instead of synthetic ones.
And please, please, please don’t let your doctor recommend birth control pills to manage peri-menopause and menopause symptoms in your late 30s, 40s, or early 50s. This is a recipe for disaster, as synthetic hormones can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, cause leaky gut, lower your sex drive, lower thyroid function and therefore metabolism, make you gain weight and the list goes on.
Do your research, talk to your doctor, and take care of your beautiful selves!
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