In a previous post I talked about how I once gave up sugar for a recurring case of Candidiasis. I’ve tried to block it out of my memory because it was really unpleasant but I think I suffered on and off with the condition for a period of 12-24 months. Most doctors were very unhelpful. All they did was refer me to over the counter creams at the chemist which cleared it up for a week or two but then it would come straight back. I kept mentioning the pill to doctors because that was the only different thing in my life. They all assured me there was no way the contraceptive pill could cause my problem. Bollocks.
The GP / natural therapist I finally went to that got rid of the problem completely, and note I haven’t had the problem ever again, looked at me strangely and said ‘of course the pill can cause vaginal thrush’. She put me on a strict no sugar, alcohol or yeast diet for a month, told me to stop taking the pill and referred me to more of those over the counter creams I was now so familiar with. It took a couple of weeks, but of course, it worked.
Why the pill can cause thrush
Unfortunately there’s no conclusive evidence as to why the pill can cause recurring Candidiasis. Even though I feel like my past experience is enough evidence!
There are a few theories out there which all seem to be very similar to each other. It essentially comes down to a continuous unnatural stimulation of the hormonal system which creates an imbalance in the body. These theories include:
- Taking the contraceptive pill can increase levels of the hormone oestrogen in the body, which alters the natural alkaline balance of the vagina, providing a fertile breeding ground for thrush over the ‘friendly’ bacteria.
- The progesterone component of the pill appears to encourage candida growth, which is particularly noticeable in the second half of the menstrual cycle.
- Thrush also thrives in a sugary environment, which is very common during pregnancy when there is a natural increase in the sugar content of the vagina. If too much sugar is produced without being converted into an acidic substance, the vagina loses its natural protection and provides an ideal breeding ground for thrush. The pill works by copying many of the conditions of pregnancy and thereby produces ideal conditions for thrush.
I haven’t taken the pill now for about six years, and haven’t had a single case of Candidiasis during this time. My experiences have made me a bit wary about trying the pill again, even with these new low dose pills doctors keep telling me about. That’s another thing, some doctors act shocked when I tell them I’m not on the pill. Their attitude is kind of ‘what is your problem?’. The last doctor I went to, probably a month ago, even said to me ‘the pill isn’t just about preventing babies you know.’. Well, what are women taking it for then? I personally don’t think putting unnatural hormones and chemicals into my body is worth an easy fix for acne and PMS.
Cancer and the contraceptive pill
This is an interesting question. Can the pill increase or decrease the risk of certain cancers? Consider one of the main causes of cancer – a continuous overuse of unnatural chemicals in the body from sources such as foods, medications, cosmetics and your surrounding environment.
The cancer council of Australia released a heavily referenced position statement in January 2006 outlining the cancer risks for women who take the contraceptive pill. The key messages include:
- An increased risk for developing cervical and breast cancer.
- A protection against endometrial and ovarian cancers.
They also state that further research needs to be done to assess the long term affects of taking the pill. That I find a bit scary.
Position statement, combined oral contraceptives and cancer risk
http://www.cancer.org.au/documents/Combined%20oral%20
contraceptives%20and%20cancer%20risk.pdf
It may seem like it but I’m not against the pill at all. I think it’s a great way to prevent unwanted pregnancy. I just feel that women who aren’t sexually active that are taking the pill for alternative reasons need to be wary of the possible side affects. In my experiences I wasn’t informed of any side effects nor did doctors really talk to me to find out why I would want to take the pill and what my options were. Luckily for me I found a doctor who fixed my problem and I’m grateful for that. In my case it seems obvious that the contraceptive pill was the cause of my recurring Candidiasis.
Fran Kerr is the founding editor of High on Health. To cure your acne, sign up to Fran's FREE acne cure mini-course or download her latest how to guide, Eat Away Your Acne.
2 responses ↓
Hi Fran,
This is a very interesting topic.
I also was on a contraceptive pill for about 4 four years.
I couldn’t believe how convenient it was!
(fortunately I never suffered from thrush)
However, recently I became very skeptical about prescription medication and all the corruption and bribery involved between pharmaceutical companies and doctors.
The only medication I was on at the time was a contraceptive pill and so I started to doubt whether it was actually any good for my body.
After doing a bit of research I decided it was definitely time to give it up.
I felt playing with body’s hormonal balance wasn’t a very wise move after all.
I had the same experience that my doctor didn’t really warn me of all the possible side effects (although they did warn me some).
The most interesting thing that I found in my research is this:
“mood changes and loss of libido also occur in approximately 20 per cent of women who use the combined contraceptive pill”
“the pill may also significantly, and perhaps permanently, dampen your sexual drive”
I mean in today’s society if a doctor told a patient these facts, what patient would take the medication if they didn’t have to???
anyway it gets worse…
I read on to discover that just by stopping taking the pill doesn’t guarantee that you will return to your normal balance it can permanently mess you up!
Apparently some women never gain it back- now that is pretty scary.
I think at this stage this is a little difficult to prove with scientific facts and who is going to fund it since the pharmaceutical companies certainly wont!
Anyway a medication that has many dangers is certainly not worth the risk to me no matter how convenient it may be.
I am certainly very relieved not to be on it any more.
hi there! i had thrush on and off for more than 1 yr and now it’s gone since i got off the pill! the pill can be so convenient but stuff up the rest of your life. i have to admit my doctors were quite informative about the pill & thrush (even the instructions/info sheet in the box tells you about it), but they did then put me on to a different pill with less oestrogen… or something that is supposed to not encourage the yeast so much.
anyway, the more pressing issue for me was my mood and libido change. when i was on the pill, my libido went on holiday - so it kind of defied the point. secondly, i got really depressed (though i never ended up seeing a counsellor/therapist) - and i think the mood change is what girls need to be most wary of, because it just sneaks up on you! you just start feeling sad more often, and you kind of get used to it without linking it to starting the pill a while ago. i feel so much more like my normal self now that i’m off the pill!
and… (disclaimer i’m going to get a bit vulgar now)
of course not using a condom feels better than using one - but seriously think about the consequences (aforementioned)! sex can still be good. in my case, i’m using non-latex condoms as i happen to be allergic to latex… so my point is - make sure you know your alternatives well!!!
i’m so sick of doctors who know less than you expect them too.
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