Hormonal Havoc: What Women Aren’t Told About Birth Control

Jason Samir Santiago

Welcome to Effects on the Side! If this is your first time tuning in, well, you're in for quite the ride. This is the podcast where we dig into those everyday things you’ve probably never thought too much about - like the stuff they don’t tell you in ads for, say, your morning medications, and really unpack the bigger picture.

Alex Monroe

And by “bigger picture,” we’re talking about the stories behind the headlines and the decisions that impact millions of lives, stuff the pharmaceutical companies probably hope you don’t think too deeply about.

Jason Samir Santiago

Exactly! Take today, for example. We’re diving into birth control, specifically what women - young girls, honestly - aren’t told about it. It’s, a lot more complicated than those thirty-second TV ads make it look, right?

Alex Monroe

Right. And it’s an issue that cuts across, well, medicine, politics, corporate interests.

Jason Samir Santiago

Life!

Alex Monroe

Life, yes. It’s not just a set of pills. What we’re looking at here is, really, a window into how these larger systems operate. And the consequences can be profound.

Jason Samir Santiago

And personal, too. You know, my daughter Amyra just turned 12 last year.

Alex Monroe

She is a great young lady.

Jason Samir Santiago

Thanks! Yeah, and, look, as a parent, it kind of - well, it hits different, you know? You start thinking about the pressures she’s gonna face, the choices she might have to make someday. And honestly, I realized I didn’t know nearly as much as I thought I did about this whole topic.

Alex Monroe

That’s a common feeling, Jason. And here’s the thing - not knowing isn’t an accident. There are reasons we don’t have this information front and center. It’s why what we’re doing here - taking the time to unravel it all - matters so much.

Jason Samir Santiago

Right. So, whether you're a parent like me, someone dealing with this firsthand, or just curious about how the world works, this is the conversation we all need to have. And we're gonna have it, together, like right now…

Alex Monroe

You know, Jason, the more I think about it, the more questions I have. Like, why are we giving birth control to girls as young as, what, 11 or 12? I mean, I understand - teens, hormones, and everything - it’s complicated. But still, doesn’t that feel, really young? It’s hard not to wonder, you know?

Jason Samir Santiago

It does seem young, doesn’t it? But here’s the thing, Alex. Doctors often prescribe birth control for reasons beyond, well, preventing pregnancy. For girls in that 11-to-13 age range, it’s commonly prescribed for irregular periods, severe PMS symptoms, or even acne.

Alex Monroe

Acne? Wait, wait - you’re telling me an 11-year-old could be taking, like, hormonal meds just to clear up some pimples?

Jason Samir Santiago

Yes, it happens. And it’s been normalized, which is the real issue here. There’s this cultural shift where medicating young girls for these conditions has become routine. It’s presented as harmless, almost like giving aspirin for a headache. But birth control - it’s a serious hormonal intervention.

Alex Monroe

See, that’s what messes with me. I mean, yeah, hormones are tricky, but putting kids on what amounts to a pill for puberty… it feels, I dunno, kind of, extreme? Like, where’s the long-term conversation on what this does to their bodies?

Jason Samir Santiago

Exactly. And that’s the part that’s shockingly missing from the dialogue. Birth control stops ovulation. It alters natural hormone levels. Now, in adults, this is one conversation, but when you introduce these changes to a developing body? The potential long-term effects are barely discussed. We’re talking about impacts that could last years, even decades.

Alex Monroe

So, wait. Are they just not talking about it because - it’s easier this way? Is it all just about… convenience?

Jason Samir Santiago

Convenience plays a part, definitely. Prescriptions can be a quick fix for managing teenage hormones. But, remember, it’s also a business. Pharmaceutical companies benefit from normalizing this practice. The easier it is to get birth control at a young age, the sooner you can hook a long-term customer.

Alex Monroe

Man, that’s such a messed-up way to think about it.

Jason Samir Santiago

It is. And it doesn’t stop there. The lack of transparency, the absence of open conversations - it’s all by design. The fewer questions people ask, the less accountability these companies face. It’s cyclical.

Alex Monroe

Okay, but here’s my next question -

Alex Monroe

Alright, Jason, what about the side effects? I mean, those ads with all the smiling couples? They’re not exactly giving us the full story, are they?

Jason Samir Santiago

Not even close. Let’s start with one of the most well-documented but under-discussed risks: blood clots. Now, this isn’t just a hypothetical danger. Certain birth control methods, like Yaz, NuvaRing, even some patches, have shown a significantly increased risk of blood clots. And we’re not just talking about an inconvenience here - we’re talking life-threatening conditions like deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.

Alex Monroe

Whoa, hold on. So you’re saying these are things people are actively experiencing - from just being on the pill?

Jason Samir Santiago

That’s exactly it. These aren’t rare cases. If you dig into the studies - what little they do publish - you’ll see numbers that should grab anyone’s attention. But here’s the kicker: many women aren’t even warned about it. Blood clot risks are tucked away in the fine print, not given the weight they deserve during checkups.

Alex Monroe

Right, because who actually - like, let’s be real - reads through the multi-page insert that comes in the packaging? Nobody.

Jason Samir Santiago

Exactly. And that’s part of the problem. It’s not just physical risks like clots, either. Let’s move to mental health. One of the most striking connections we’re seeing is the link between hormonal birth control and issues like depression, anxiety, even suicidal thoughts. And this isn’t anecdotal. There’s emerging data backing this up, showing clear correlations.

Alex Monroe

Wait. Suicidal thoughts? That - that’s heavy stuff. How is this not screaming from the rooftops?

Jason Samir Santiago

Because it doesn’t fit the narrative. These risks complicate the “safe and simple” promise of birth control. Acknowledging them forces tougher conversations, and, well, pharmaceutical companies don’t like tough conversations. It’s harder to sell a product that comes with that kind of baggage.

Alex Monroe

Okay, I’m just gonna say it - this feels like manipulation, plain and simple.

Jason Samir Santiago

In many ways, it is. Now, here’s another big one that doesn’t get the attention it warrants: libido. Or, more specifically, the loss of it. Many women report what’s often referred to as emotional blunting. They feel disconnected, like they’ve lost a part of themselves. And this isn’t just while they’re on birth control - some report these effects lingering for years after they stop using it.

Alex Monroe

Years? Are you serious?

Jason Samir Santiago

Unfortunately, yes. Hormonal disruption isn’t something that just resets overnight. When you alter the body’s natural processes for years, it takes time - sometimes a very long time - to recover, if recovery even happens fully. Not to mention, studies are starting to hint at increased risks of breast and cervical cancer linked to long-term pill use.

Alex Monroe

Alright, hold up - so we’ve got risks of blood clots, mental health struggles, libido crashes, potential cancer… and yet, they’re marketing this as though it’s no big deal? Like, “Hey, just pop this pill and all your problems are solved”?

Jason Samir Santiago

That’s the model. Simplify the message, suppress the nuance. And, meanwhile, the people actually experiencing these effects? They’re often dismissed, told it’s all in their heads or that the benefits outweigh the risks.

Alex Monroe

You know, Jason, the more I hear about this - the downplaying of risks, people being dismissed - it makes me think about something I’ve been reading a lot about lately: medical gaslighting. The whole “It’s all in your head” thing.

Jason Samir Santiago

Yeah, Alex. It’s a major issue, especially when it comes to young women reporting side effects tied to birth control. They’ll go into a doctor’s office saying, “Hey, I’m feeling anxious,” or, “I’ve been having migraines,” and way too often, their concerns are brushed off.

Alex Monroe

Right, like instead of taking a second to really, dig into what’s going on, they just chalk it up to stress. Or worse, puberty, right?

Jason Samir Santiago

Exactly. “Hormones are tricky, dear. You’ll grow out of it.” That kind of dismissal? It’s a pattern. And over time, it erodes trust. These young women end up doubting their own experiences while the actual cause goes unaddressed.

Alex Monroe

But hold up - this can’t just be on individual doctors, right? I mean, there’s gotta be a reason they default to this kind of response.

Jason Samir Santiago

Well, part of it goes back to how medical professionals are trained. Pharmaceutical reps - essentially the salespeople for drug companies - have long played a role in shaping that guidance. They present these drugs, including birth control, as a cure-all. You’ve got irritable teenagers? Prescribe the pill. Problem solved.

Alex Monroe

Wait, wait, wait. Are you saying that a lot of the medical advice we trust is influenced by, sales pitches from pharma reps?

Jason Samir Santiago

In a word? Yes. And this has been going on for decades. Pharma companies spend billions - billions - with a “B” - on marketing, not just directly to consumers but to doctors. The more trust they build with providers, the easier it is to push their products. And those reps aren’t exactly incentivized to dive deep into risks and long-term effects.

Alex Monroe

Okay, so how do they get away with it? Like, isn’t there some oversight for this kind of thing? What about the FDA?

Jason Samir Santiago

Ah, the FDA. In theory, they’re supposed to uphold strict regulations. But in practice? They’re underfunded, understaffed, and, frankly, influenced by the very industry they’re supposed to regulate. There’s a revolving door between pharma execs and FDA officials that, let’s just say, muddies the waters.

Alex Monroe

Okay, that’s… wow. So the regulators are, what, friends with the people they’re supposed to be keeping in check? That’s beyond frustrating.

Jason Samir Santiago

It is. And it’s why so many adverse effects - everything from mood changes to severe physical risks - get buried in the fine print. Birth control labels are loaded with technical jargon that most people either gloss over or can’t fully understand. But here’s the kicker, Alex: even doctors sometimes aren’t fully up to speed on those risks.

Alex Monroe

Wait, what? The doctors prescribing these pills don’t actually, like, know all the side effects either? How is that even possible?

Jason Samir Santiago

It’s possible because the system is designed that way. The reps highlight the positives, downplay the negatives, and most of us - whether we’re patients or medical professionals - trust the soundbites. The concept of fully informed consent? It’s a myth in cases like this. You can’t make informed decisions when you don’t have the full picture.

Alex Monroe

Man, this whole thing feels like a betrayal. Like, they’ve taken what should be a straightforward medical process and turned it into, uh, a game of hide-the-truth.

Jason Samir Santiago

You’re not wrong. And the consequences - well, they affect real people in life-altering ways. Young women go in for help, thinking they’re making a responsible choice, only to end up dealing with unexpected side effects they never saw coming.

Alex Monroe

It’s so frustrating, Jason. I mean, think about this: a 13-year-old girl gets put on the pill for, I don’t know, acne or irregular periods. Then, by 15, she’s dealing with anxiety or even, uh, depression. Who’s actually connecting those dots and explaining this to her - or her parents?

Jason Samir Santiago

That’s the thing - usually, no one does. Because mood changes are, well, often chalked up to adolescence itself. You know, hormones, school stress, growing pains - they become convenient scapegoats. The possibility that a hormonal contraceptive could be a contributing factor? It’s rarely brought to the forefront.

Alex Monroe

But, like, wouldn’t there be studies or… or something connecting the two? I mean, how are these side effects not front-page news?

Jason Samir Santiago

Some studies do exist, Alex, but here’s where it gets tricky. The research linking hormonal contraceptives to mental health impacts is still unfolding. A paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, for instance, found that teenage girls on birth control were more likely to be prescribed SSRIs - anti-depressants - later on. The connection is there, but it’s nuanced and not always acknowledged outright.

Alex Monroe

Wait, so you’re telling me we’re putting kids on hormones, then turning around and putting them on anti-depressants to deal with the side effects? That’s bananas, Jason.

Jason Samir Santiago

Right? It’s a system that seems to feed itself. And let’s not forget, Alex, the adolescent brain is still developing. Hormone levels during this time are critical for brain chemistry and emotional regulation. When you introduce synthetic hormones at such a formative stage, we’re talking about potentially altering developmental trajectories in ways we don’t fully understand yet.

Alex Monroe

Whoa, whoa - altering brain chemistry? That - that’s intense. Like, how do we even begin to measure something like that?

Jason Samir Santiago

Carefully, and often indirectly. That’s part of the challenge. Many long-term studies on hormonal contraceptives omit younger age groups entirely, focusing instead on adult women. And even when adolescents are included, the psychological markers - anxiety, depression, even cognitive changes - are harder to quantify because of all those “normal” teenage variables muddying the waters. It’s easier to blame the person than the prescription.

Alex Monroe

Yeah, because teenagers are, well, already kind of a… hormonal mystery, right?

Jason Samir Santiago

Exactly. And this lack of clarity doesn’t just affect mental health. It creates a cycle where these young women feel unheard, unsupported, and ultimately silenced. Their symptoms are dismissed as personality quirks or teenage angst. Meanwhile, the actual cause remains unaddressed.

Alex Monroe

Honestly, Jason, it’s like peeling back layer after layer of problems here. First, it’s physical risks like blood clots and cancer, now it’s mental health. Where does it stop?

Jason Samir Santiago

Well, it stops when we start re-examining the entire system - asking tougher questions about why pharmaceuticals are often the first solution offered. And, Alex, there’s another dimension to this. What happens when those hormonal shifts discourage girls from trusting their emotions or instincts because they’re constantly being told, “It’s just puberty”?

Alex Monroe

Ugh, you’re right. That’s like gaslighting 101 - “You’re fine, you’re overreacting.” Only it’s coming from, what, their doctors, their parents, even themselves sometimes?

Jason Samir Santiago

And that self-doubt, once it takes root, can be incredibly hard to shake. It’s why alternatives - like non-hormonal methods, cycle tracking apps - are starting to gain traction. These solutions at least offer a chance to better understand one’s own body without overriding it with synthetic hormones.

Alex Monroe

You mentioned alternatives, Jason - like non-hormonal methods and cycle tracking. I mean, if the pill isn’t the only path, what other options are we talking about here?

Jason Samir Santiago

Good question, Alex. The conversation around non-hormonal options has been steadily growing over the past few years, and for good reason. For starters, there’s fertility awareness, also known as cycle tracking. Apps like Natural Cycles, for instance, use body temperature and other indicators to help women understand their cycles and -

Alex Monroe

Wait, wait. You’re telling me people can track this stuff on their phones now?

Jason Samir Santiago

They absolutely can. These apps have come a long way. By tracking daily patterns - like basal body temperature or cervical mucus - you can pinpoint ovulation. And while it requires some effort, the payoff is having a clear understanding of your body without introducing synthetic hormones.

Alex Monroe

Okay, but, I - look, let’s be real. People aren't exactly consistent when it comes to routines. Like, what happens if you just... forget to log for a couple days?

Jason Samir Santiago

Excellent point. Consistency matters with cycle tracking. It’s not for everyone. But that’s why education around these methods is crucial. When you have the tools and the knowledge, you’re empowered to make informed choices, rather than falling back on what’s marketed as “convenient.”

Alex Monroe

Alright, fair. So, cycle tracking. What else? Because I’m thinking, like, there’s gotta be other ways to, I dunno, handle the chaos without popping pills daily.

Jason Samir Santiago

You’re right. Let’s talk about lifestyle. Nutrition plays an enormous role in hormone regulation, but it’s often overlooked. For example, foods rich in magnesium, omega-3s, or certain vitamins can alleviate PMS symptoms. Stress management is another big one - it’s not just about mental health. Chronic stress throws your hormones off balance. Practices like yoga, mindfulness - even something as simple as regular sleep habits - can make a huge difference.

Alex Monroe

Wait, so, like… sleep could be part of the fix?

Jason Samir Santiago

Yes. Sleep is where your body recalibrates itself. Poor sleep hygiene has been linked to cortisol imbalances, which in turn disrupt estrogen and progesterone levels. It’s all connected.

Alex Monroe

Man, that’s wild. We’re out here chugging coffee to survive the day, when what we really need is just - like - a proper eight hours.

Jason Samir Santiago

Funny how that works, isn’t it? And beyond nutrition and stress, there’s a growing emphasis on holistic approaches to health in general. Things like acupuncture or herbal medicine, while not as widely studied in Western practices, have centuries of anecdotal evidence behind them. The key is exploring options that resonate with an individual’s needs.

Alex Monroe

Okay, so we’ve got cycle tracking, good food, solid sleep, maybe some needles if you’re feeling adventurous. But where do parents like me fit into all this? Like, I mean, how do you even begin to talk to your kids about this stuff?

Jason Samir Santiago

That’s such an important question, Alex. It starts with dismantling the fear-based narrative around bodies and sex. Instead of framing things from a place of “don’t do this” or “avoid that,” it’s better to focus on autonomy, self-worth, and the mechanics of how our bodies work. When kids - daughters and sons - truly understand themselves, they’re less likely to be swayed by societal or commercial pressures.

Alex Monroe

Okay, but, not gonna lie, Jason, “sex talks” are still kind of terrifying. Like, where do you even start without just… freezing up?

Alex Monroe

So, wow - talking to kids about all this? That’s a big one, Jason. Honestly, it’s kind of intimidating, but also so important. And after everything we’ve covered today - probably more than most people ever get to hear about birth control - my head’s swimming a bit. But it’s been… eye-opening.

Jason Samir Santiago

That’s the goal, Alex. Conversations like these are overdue. And the truth is, the system isn’t set up to empower people to ask these questions. It thrives on blind compliance, not informed choice. That’s something we’ve got to challenge.

Jason Samir Santiago

You know, as we were talking, I kept thinking about my daughter, Amyra. She’s just a kid right now, but there’ll come a time when she’s faced with big decisions like this. And honestly? As a parent, it’s - it’s scary, Alex. Like, how do I even begin to protect her from all this without, you know, wrapping her in bubble wrap?

Alex Monroe

It’s a valid concern, Jason. But here’s the thing - protection doesn’t mean shielding her from the world. It means equipping her with knowledge, with tools to navigate it. And, Fathers like you? Your role is critical. You’re not just an observer here; you’re an advocate. By staying engaged, you’re already making a difference.

Jason Samir Santiago

Yeah, but it can feel overwhelming, you know? Like, how do we know -

Alex Monroe

Jason, no one’s expecting perfection. What matters is that you’re starting these conversations. You’re questioning the norms and breaking that cycle of silence. That alone sends a powerful message to Amyra - and to all the fathers and parents listening out there.

Jason Samir Santiago

Right. But it’s not just about dads - it’s about everyone, honestly. Women deserve better than these one-size-fits-all answers. They deserve real choices, not convenient solutions shoved down their throats.

Alex Monroe

Exactly. Empowered choice over blind compliance - that’s the real takeaway. You can only make those choices when you have the full picture. And it’s our job, all of us, to demand that transparency. Without it, we’re just spinning on the same old wheel.

Jason Samir Santiago

And, I mean, that’s why we do this podcast, right? To pull back the curtain, to help people see the strings behind the scenes. If even one listener takes something from this and makes a more informed choice - then we’ve done our job.

Alex Monroe

Absolutely. Change doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from questioning, learning, and, most importantly, speaking up. Together, we can push for better systems, better conversations, and better options.

Jason Samir Santiago

Yeah. And on that note, if you found today’s episode helpful - or even just interesting—don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with someone you care about. Follow the podcast, like, subscribe, all those good things. The more people who join this conversation, the louder our collective voice gets.

Alex Monroe

And it’s a conversation worth having. So, to everyone listening - it’s on us to keep these stories alive, to keep asking questions, and to never settle for less than the truth.

Jason Samir Santiago

Alright, Alex, I think that’s a wrap for today. This has been Effects on the Side. Thanks for being here, and we’ll catch you next time!