http://www.amymyersmd.com/2015/12/birth-control-pills/

I was researching to see if I could find any record anywhere of what expected hormone levels would be with continuous BCP...

I ran across this article. And it has me SOOOO frustrated now. Nearly every issue I've suffered in the last 4-5 years can be tracked back to being caused/triggered by or worsened by me taking BCP, then continuous BCP, since I have prolapse, etc.

Snapshot of the data:

What Are the Problems with Birth Control Pills?
The main problem with birth control pills is that instead of estrogen they contain synthetic hormones, such as ethinyl estridiol and norethindrone, which are not recognized or broken down by the body in the same way natural estrogen is. Birth control pills also disrupt your natural hormone levels, since they keep estrogen levels artificially high, which has a ripple effect across your endocrine system. These factors can cause a whole myriad of health issues.

1. Increased Risk of Cancer
Synthetic estrogens like the ones found in birth control pills can increase your risk of developing certain types of cancers, such breast, uterine, and cervical cancer. Studies show that women who take birth control pills, and even women who have recently stopped taking the pill, have a 20 to 30% higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who have never used the pill.

2. Candida Overgrowth
As you may already know, most of us are already carrying around Candida in our digestive tract. When we’re in good health – and following a healthy diet and lifestyle – the yeast doesn’t cause any problems; however, when our internal ecosystem becomes imbalanced, it can lead to an overgrowth of Candida and all of the unpleasant symptoms that come along with it. Birth control pills disrupt our internal balance by causing something called estrogen dominance – meaning too much estrogen in the body. In one study, researchers found that the use of birth control pills can double the risk of developing a Candida overgrowth.

If you are interested in learning more about how to overcome Candida overgrowth, download my FREE Candida Control Bundle! You’ll receive a collection of free resources that will launch you in the direction of a healthy gut.

3. Increase in Sex-Binding Hormones
The synthetic hormones in birth control pills increase thyroid and sex hormone binding globulin, mimicking pregnancy. This decreases the amount of testosterone and thyroid hormone available in your blood, which can leave you hypothyroid, constipated, depressed, overweight, foggy, and with an almost non-existent sex drive.

4. Liver Toxicity
Birth control pills are processed through your liver and go through what is called the first-pass effect or first-pass metabolism. During this process, the pills are metabolized by the liver and the concentration of the medication is greatly reduced before it reaches the bloodstream. This process can significantly tax the liver leading to increased inflammation, tumors of the liver, and a decreased ability to properly detox.

The metabolism of birth control pills by the liver also requires extra amounts of B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc. If you’re not getting extra amounts of these nutrients, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies that present as weight gain, fluid retention, depression, and changes in mood.

5. Cardiovascular Risk
Studies have found that birth control pills (specifically combination pills that contain both synthetic estrogen and progesterone) increase blood pressure, raising your risk for heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes.


So, I could have caused or triggered candida, worsened my hormonal and thyroid conditions, and created the liver issues I wasn't aware I had. It also explains why I started feeling better when I added in zinc, finally, as I'd already been taking the rest... Bah...

Anyone else feel so completely overwhelmed trying to understand ANYTHING about the female hormone systems?

And no, I still didn't find any recommendations for "normal" hormonal levels on continuous BCP.