What Coming Off the Pill Taught Me About Anxiety, Gut Health, and Birth Control Side Effects
By my mid-twenties, I had accepted that I was “just an anxious person.”
My anxiety was through the roof on any given day. I planned my life around it, worried about things I hadn’t even done yet, and replayed what I had already said or done on a loop. It felt like my personality was wired for worry.
Life became a constant rotation of:
Laying awake at night, obsessing over my to-do list
Jolting awake in the morning, terrified I had missed a client session
Dreading simple work tasks
Sweating over social interactions
Living in a restless, jittery body
It was a vicious cycle, and I honestly thought most people operated the same way. I couldn’t even imagine what life would feel like without the weight of constant anxiety.
When Gut Health Shifted, So Did My Anxiety
I first began working on my gut health to tackle frequent yeast infections, acne, bloating, and inflammation. To my shock, my mental health began improving too.
I felt calmer. More grounded in my body. Less frazzled by everyday tasks.
About 90% of your serotonin—the “happy hormone” that regulates mood—is produced in the gut. If your microbiome is out of balance, your mental health will reflect it. Clearing infections, reducing inflammation, and healing my gut didn’t just improve my skin and digestion. It gave me glimpses of peace I hadn’t felt in years.
But my acne still lingered. And my anxiety, though better, was still humming beneath the surface.
The Final Piece — Removing My Hormonal IUD
For over a year, I had been debating removing my Skyla IUD. My esthetician (shoutout to Lauren of Soul Skin Studio!) helped me make huge progress on my skin with a holistic approach, but we both suspected my suppressed hormones were the missing puzzle piece. I kept wondering whether the pill, or any form of hormonal birth control, might be influencing my mood and my skin.
After five years, I decided to have my IUD removed. The change was almost instantaneous. I felt lighter, happier, and more like myself than I had in years. Suddenly, I was excited about life again, experienced real pleasure, and began to embrace the natural rhythms of my menstrual cycle instead of feeling like I was fighting against my body.
IUDs still count as hormonal contraceptives unless it is the copper IUD
Do Hormonal Contraceptives Affect Mental Health?
In The Fifth Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, she summarizes the research linking hormonal contraceptives and mood disorders. While not everyone is affected, studies and clinical reports indicate that the pill, hormonal IUDs, and implants can be associated with increased anxiety, depression, and mood instability for some users. These are important birth control side effects to be aware of and discuss with your provider.
Hormonal contraceptives can and do contribute to anxiety, depression, and mood instability
Why This Happens — Nutrient Depletion & Biochemistry
A commonly discussed mechanism is nutrient depletion. Hormonal contraceptives can interfere with absorption and metabolism of certain vitamins and minerals—especially vitamin B6. B6 is required to convert tryptophan into serotonin; without adequate serotonin, risk of anxiety and depression can increase. In short: for some people, the pill or other hormonal birth control may contribute to mood disruption via biochemical pathways.
What You Can Do — Practical Steps
Get Your Bloodwork Done'
Ask your clinician for labs that include B vitamins, B12, folate, and related nutrient markers. Some people need methylated forms to absorb properly.
Increase Vitamin B6 Through Food
Grass-fed beef liver
Pasture-raised poultry
Wild-caught tuna and salmon
Chickpeas
Bananas, papayas, oranges, cantaloupe
Dark leafy greens
Consider a Targeted Supplement
If diet isn’t enough, a practitioner-recommended supplement can help restore depleted nutrients. Options include
Wellbel (folate, B12, hormone‑balancing herbs) — use code CAITLIN15
Needed. Women’s Multivitamin (B vitamins including methylated forms and supportive nutrients) — use code CAITLINS20
Heal Your Gut
Support your microbiome with a diverse, fiber-rich diet, appropriate probiotics, reduced inflammatory foods, and liver-supporting habits.
Consider Transitioning Off Hormonal Birth Control (with guidance)
If you suspect the pill or your hormonal IUD is causing mood issues, discuss a supervised transition with your provider. Non-hormonal options include the copper IUD, barrier methods (condoms, diaphragm), and fertility awareness methods. If you’re considering coming off hormonal birth control, my ebook Ditch the Pill: A Roadmap to Reclaiming Your Hormonal Health covers step-by-step transition guidance, cycle‑tracking, and how to support your body through the process.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve noticed anxiety, depression, or mood swings since starting the pill or another form of hormonal birth control, it’s reasonable to consider birth control side effects as a potential factor. You deserve to know how hormonal contraceptives may affect your mental health and to make informed choices. Testing nutrients, supporting gut health, and reviewing non-hormonal birth control options with a clinician are practical next steps. For a deeper roadmap on transitioning off hormonal birth control and reclaiming your hormonal health, see my ebook Ditch the Pill: A Roadmap to Reclaiming Your Hormonal Health.
Quitting hormonal birth control can feel like stepping into the unknown. Will you face acne, irregular cycles, or mood swings? How do you advocate for yourself with your doctor? With Ditch the Pill, you’ll get a clear, step-by-step roadmap to navigate the transition—without the stress.
This 70+ page eBook, paired with a powerful workbook, gives you the tools to:
Understand Your Hormones: Learn exactly what happens in your body when you stop the pill and how to prepare for the shift.
Know Your Bloodwork: Discover precisely which blood panels to request to assess your hormonal health and track your recovery.
Talk to Your Doctor: Get expert tips on how to confidently discuss getting off hormonal birth control with your healthcare provider.
Ease Symptoms: Tackle common challenges like acne, irregular periods, and mood changes with proven strategies.
Nourish Your Body: Explore hormone-friendly nutrition and lifestyle tips to detox and rebalance.
Track Your Progress: Use the included symptom tracker, meal planner, and cycle tracking template to stay in control.
Why Now?
Your hormonal health can’t wait. For just $9.00, you get everything you need to transition off the pill with ease. Grab it now and start your journey to hormonal freedom!
Get Your Copy Now for $9.00
Instant download. Secure checkout. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
Still Hesitating?
We get it—stopping the pill can feel daunting. That’s why Ditch the Pill is packed with expert advice, including how to ask for the right blood panels and confidently talk to your doctor, to make the process smooth and empowering. You’ve got this!
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