Hi, Folks -

Long ago, my first real girlfriend fell into a deep depression that led to the painful falling apart of our relationship. I'm not sure when it dawned on me, but today I feel certain her depression was caused in large part by 'The Pill'.

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Post-Birth Control Awareness Week I used to think of birth control as a woman’s right, a gift from Big Pharma that exalted women to a place of equality with their male counterparts. That is, until I learned about the horrendous list of side effects — and what women were actually giving up as part of this exchange. When patients come to me with complaints of low libido, low or flat mood, weight gain, hair loss, and cloudy thinking, one of my first questions is, “Are you on the pill?” And when they complain about premenstrual irritability, insomnia, tearfulness, bloating, and breast tenderness, requesting that I sanction a course of oral contraceptives combined with an antidepressant, I tell them there’s a better way. Which is why I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Jolene Brighten recently to talk more about the link between birth control and mental health for Post-Birth Control Awareness Week, starting Monday, November 5th. You’ll learn: How birth control can impact your mood What everyone woman should consider before beginning birth control And what to do instead With increased risks of hypertension, gallstones, blood clots, strokes, and cancer — this is something you want all the women in your life to be very well educated on. Not only to avoid the seemingly endless list of side effects, but also to better navigate the beautiful hormonal dance of being authentically female. Warmly, Kelly Brogan, MD Watch Here

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