As a Naturopathic Doctor in NYC, I get a lot of questions about natural forms of birth control. What natural birth control means is birth control without hormones. Hormonal birth control on the other hand uses synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone (progestins) to either suppress ovulation or make the uterus unfavorable for conception. The main forms of hormonal birth control are “the pill,” implants, shots, patches and hormonal IUDs.

When it comes to digestive issues such as acid reflux (GERD) or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), the natural holistic tends to point the finger at food allergies and sensitivities. Patients will often be given food diaries to identify potential food triggers or a script for an IgG food allergy panel (NOT IgE as that will not identify delayed food sensitivities/allergies associated with digestion).

Many women come to me because they aren’t getting their period. Often they have just come off hormonal birth control or have had a long history of erratic and absent cycles. In my New York City naturopathic practice, the goal is not to get these women to “bleed” but to ovulate.

Perhaps you thought acne would be something you would be to leave behind in high school like your senior physics class or braces.  Unfortunately hormonal acne, which normally appears along the chin, jawline and cheek, can persist into early adult hood and even emerge during menopause.

A few weeks ago, I met with dentist Dr Nadia Rodriguez, DMD of No Limits Dental at her beautiful office in Midtown Manhattan. During our conversation, we turned to the subject of pharmaceutical drugs and their impact on teeth and general oral health. 

Is this you?  A young woman, who I have been seeing over the years for PCOS, came in struggling with terrible acid reflux.   She had never had it before and it was even keeping her up at night. 

Women go on birth control pills for a variety of reasons.  Perhaps you have been on and off them since you were 14 because you had unbearable cramps or extremely heavy bleeding…  

Everything was going great until you enter that dreaded week before your period.  You felt completely fine, rational and sane the week before and now you are feeling like a complete basket case thanks to that three letter word, PMS….