A Realistic Look at the Birth Control Pill & Women’s Health, with Alice Nguyen

For decades women have been told that taking the birth control pill is the best approach to controlling their cycle and regulating hormones. But as more research has been done in recent years, it’s become apparent that maybe this isn’t the best choice for all women. On today’s episode of Health is a Skill, Todd sits down with Alice Nguyen—Stark’s head of functional medicine—this time to take a realistic look at the birth control pill and its overall effect on a woman’s health. Todd begins the episode with a brief overview of the history of the birth control pill and why that matters in light of the way women are using it today. He then invites Alice to share her perspective—both as an expert on the topic and as a woman herself—on some of the common misconceptions surrounding the pill’s impact on a woman’s overall health, natural birth control alternatives, and the sizeable role diet and exercise play in hormone regulation and decreasing menstrual pain. Whether you’re a woman yourself or simply have women in your life that you care about—this episode is one you can’t miss! Get access to Todd's free health resource: https://podtodd.com   Learn more about Stark at: https://www.stark.health  CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Women's Health and Birth Control02:52 The Wheel of Health Concept05:47 Pharmacology and Women's Health09:10 The Impact of the Pill on Society11:51 Misconceptions About the Pill14:55 Negative Side Effects of Hormonal Birth Control17:46 Acne and Hormonal Imbalances21:06 Long-term Effects of Birth Control24:08 Managing Menstrual Symptoms26:49 Non-Hormonal Approaches to PMS28:39 Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies31:55 The Role of Omega-3s in Hormonal Health35:43 Natural Alternatives to Birth Control40:53 Dietary Influences on Menstrual Health44:32 Environmental Factors Affecting Women's Health47:47 Stress Management and Hormonal Balance52:46 Optimizing Hormonal Health Beyond Birth Control Your health is a skill you can build. Start with the free resources at podtodd.com or explore team-based health optimization at stark.health