The World Health Organization ranks the birth control pill (estrogen-progesterone) as a Group 1 Carcinogen. Despite this fact, many women who would never touch a cigarette or even a hormone-infused Big Mac, pop a daily birth control pill.
The risk of harmful consequences from ingesting a carcinogen seem to be more desirable than the risk of an unplanned pregnancy for most women. The simplicity of the pill-a-day option seems to outweigh those that require greater effort and responsibility in gaining awareness of the body's natural cycles, and in practicing self mastery (Fertility Awareness or Natural Family Planning). As well, there are many natural options for those struggling with infertility and hormonal issues (NaProTechnology).
When it comes to our health there are not many things that come easily. For instance, remaining at a desirable weight and body tone demand exercise and proper diet. Our mental health requires us to get an adequate amount of sleep, leisure, and personal time. Nourishing our soul requires time with the Creator and diligence in applying Scripture to our daily lives.
The dynamic duo and cheerleaders of natural mamas everywhere, Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein have decided to take on the birth control pill in their next documentary. Lake and Epstein have previously produced The Business of Being Born, More Business of Being Born, and Breastmilk. Their current project will be called Sweetening the Pill and will follow author Holly Grigg-Spall's book Sweetening the Pill or How We Got Hooked On Hormonal Birth Control.
“In the fifty years since its release, the birth control Pill has become synonymous with women’s liberation and has been thought of as some sort of miracle drug,” said Lake and Epstein. “But now it’s making women sick and so our goal with this film is to wake women up to the unexposed side effects of these powerful medications and the unforeseen consequences of repressing women’s natural cycles.”
Holly Grigg-Spall says of her book: Millions of healthy women take a powerful medication every day from their mid-teens to menopause - the Pill - but few know how this drug works or the potential side effects. Contrary to cultural myth, the birth-control pill impacts on every organ and function of the body, and yet most women do not even think of it as a drug.
I have been passionate about spreading the truth about the dangers of the hormonal birth control pill on mind, body, and soul. Like so many other women I was put on the pill as a teen for menstrual issues. Thankfully I discontinued it shortly thereafter because of the undesirable side effects. These same undesirable side effects have been ailing women for many years, yet women have believed that suffering with these effects was their only option. This is simply untrue, and in an age of particular awareness of health, hormones, and carcinogens the pill should rarely be an option.
This is a recent talk I gave on hormonal birth control and particularly its effect on the chemicals in the brain:
Hardwired to Love and Be Loved - The mental health aspect of Natural Family Planning as opposed to chemical contraceptives.
Baltimore, MD 2012
List of IARC Group 1 Carcinogens
World Health Organization Data on Birth Control Pill and Estrogen Replacement Carcinogenicity
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