Essential knowledge about hormonal contraception

Hormonal contraception is considered normal by many women. Something you simply start using in your teens and don't ask many questions about. Yet, this obviousness is precisely what makes this topic so important to explore further.

This blog is written for informational purposes only. The content is largely based on the book "Contraception Without Hormones" by Dr. Dorothee Struck, supplemented with practical experiences from women within the Elvou team, from their immediate surroundings, and from individual counseling programs. It is not medical advice, but intended to share knowledge so you better understand what hormonal contraception does and what questions you might ask when making a decision.

Most women start using hormonal contraception around the ages of fifteen or sixteen. This isn't always a conscious decision, but often because it's prescribed for acne, irregular cycles, severe symptoms, or simply to prevent pregnancy.

What's rarely mentioned is that the body is still developing at this stage of life. The hormonal system is still adjusting, learning to communicate, forming patterns, and establishing feedback loops. It's precisely this process that's interrupted when hormonal contraception is used.

That doesn't necessarily make hormonal contraception "bad." It does mean, however, that the impact is often greater than many women realize, and that you have the right to know what that impact is.

The natural cycle

To understand what hormonal contraception does, it's important to first understand what a natural cycle entails. Want to read more about what a natural cycle entails? Visit Elvou Life via this link.

A cycle isn't a separate reproductive mechanism, but a sophisticated communication system. The brain, ovaries, adrenal glands, and thyroid are constantly synchronized. Each phase has its own function: buildup, ovulation, recovery, and rest.

When using hormonal contraception, this system is largely shut down. The body receives the same signal every day: you're pregnant, so ovulation isn't necessary. This:

• stops the body's own production of progesterone (which normally occurs after ovulation)
• keeps estrogen artificially stable
• natural hormonal fluctuations disappear
• the feedback loop with the stress system, thyroid and metabolism is disrupted

Many women experience this as a dull feeling, decreased libido, faster overstimulation, or less emotional resilience. These aren't random side effects, but logical consequences of a system that's no longer allowed to regulate itself.

As Dr. Dorothee Struck so aptly describes it, hormonal contraception does not replace your own hormones, but it overrides them.

Long-term complaints

One of the biggest challenges with hormonal contraception is that symptoms rarely arise immediately. In the first few years, everything often seems to be going well. Meanwhile, more is happening beneath the surface:

• natural hormone production decreases further
• the intestinal flora becomes unbalanced
• micronutrient deficiencies slowly accumulate
• hormonal flexibility decreases

Because every body reacts differently, the time when symptoms become apparent also varies. That's precisely why knowledge, guidance, and context are so crucial.

Understanding your cycle

What makes Hormone-Free Contraception so powerful is that it demonstrates that contraception doesn't necessarily have to be a product. The body sends out signals every day:

• body temperature
• cervical mucus
• position and structure of the cervix
• energy levels and physical sensations

When these signals are learned and interpreted correctly with education, guidance, and without assumptions, something many women have never experienced arises: they gain confidence in their own bodies.

Is this the easiest way? No. Is it the most autonomous? For many women, yes.

The core question then shifts from "What's suppressing my symptoms?" to "What's my body actually telling me?" And, to be fair, the answer may vary depending on your life stage. But it does deserve to be a conscious choice.

Forms of contraception

Below, the most common forms of contraception are explained, along with their pros and cons. There are certainly other forms (such as diaphragms), but these are the most commonly used in the Netherlands and therefore the most important to explain.

1. The pill (combination or mini)

Advantage

• ease of use

Disadvantages

• suppresses natural hormone production
• increases SHBG, which decreases free testosterone
• impact on mood, libido and gut health
• deprivation of biological signals
• increased consumption of micronutrients

2. Hormone coil

Advantage

• less systemic burden than the pill

Disadvantages

• still hormonal suppression
• mood and skin complaints are common
• disruption of the cycle
• 'Local' does not mean without systemic impact

3. Copper coil

Advantage

• hormone-free
• natural cycle remains intact

Disadvantages

• may increase bleeding and cramps
• Copper is not a neutral substance and can cause complaints in some women.

4. Condoms

Advantages

• hormone-free
• no system impact
• protection against STDs

Disadvantages

• requires discipline and shared responsibility
• many lubricants still contain hormone-disrupting substances

5. Sympto-thermal method (cycle measurement)

Temperature measurement (e.g. via Oura or Daysy), observation of cervical mucus, cycle logic, LH tests and changes in the cervix.

Advantages

• completely hormone-free
• deep body awareness
• reliable when applied correctly

Disadvantages

• requires education and consistency
• shared responsibility
• no quick fix

condoms

Latex condoms are sensitive to oil and grease. Whether it's massage oil, wax candles, or vaginal ointments, within fifteen minutes only a fraction of their original elasticity remains, making a condom prone to tearing.

This knowledge, also derived from "Hormone-Free Contraception," demonstrates why developing truly good condoms is so complex. Oil-based lubricants are supposedly technically simple, but are unsuitable in combination with latex.

Despite these limitations, condoms remain one of the most reliable forms of protection against unwanted pregnancy and STDs, provided they are used correctly and consciously.

Finally

The most important thing to remember is that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Every woman has a unique body and a unique stage of life that influences her choice of contraception. It's all about awareness, knowledge, and autonomy: understanding what your body is doing, learning to read the signals, and making choices that are right for you based on that. This way, contraception becomes an informed and personal decision, rather than something taken for granted.