A stable couple built on good mutual trust may choose to abandon barrier methods and opt for a different approach. For young couples, the alternative method is usually the contraceptive pill, as it is more convenient and easy to manage. Yet many couples continue to use condoms precisely because of the side effects induced by hormonal therapies.

The unwanted effects of the contraceptive pill

Morning nausea, headaches, a reduced sex drive and, above all, weight gain are the classic unwanted effects that women find themselves having to deal with. Gynaecologists generally lean towards a lighter form of contraception — a low-dose pill that places little strain on the liver and does not increase appetite. The contraceptive pill is a highly personalised therapy; every woman needs a hormonal prescription that is balanced and proportionate to her own needs.

It is nonetheless true that the contraceptive pill stimulates appetite and increases water retention. From the very first pack, cravings for carbohydrates grow, and consumption of pasta, focaccia, mini pizzas and between-meal snacks increases. Sweet foods also become an irresistible temptation. This new diet burdens our metabolism, which is already under strain from processing the pill.

The natural remedies to choose

To drain the liver and lighten its workload, it is best to use a compound based on milk thistle, dandelion and artichoke. These mother tinctures can be prepared as a single blend, and taking 30 drops before breakfast and dinner is enough to feel lighter.

Water retention can be countered by using birch sap combined with good homoeopathic remedies. If cellulite is the main problem, it is better to start with Thuya, a single dose at least one day a week. If the swelling occurs around the veins and the pattern of capillary vessels is easily visible, it is better to add Hamamelis Virginiana, a low dose to be repeated two or three times a day.

If the symptoms worsen before menstruation and the abdomen swells like a balloon, the remedy should also be chosen based on the hormonal change. Lachesis is excellent for fluctuating moods — euphoric and then depressed, agitated and then irritable — that nonetheless improve and settle with the arrival of the cycle. Pulsatilla, on the other hand, is intended for the more fragile woman with a premenstrual syndrome characterised by easy tears, weight gain in the days leading up to the cycle, and no improvement during menstruation. If, instead, fatigue is the predominant aspect, the best choice is Calcarea Carbonica, an excellent anti-retention remedy and energiser.

Natural medicine evaluates a problem from many angles; the emotional one is often the most influential in choosing a remedy. A small guide can help in making the right choice. It is important to remember that the contraceptive pill is a medication, and it is difficult to take it without some degree of compromise. The side effects can, however, be eased, and the body can be helped to manage this prolonged therapy more effectively.