While there are many different options for birth control, the most widely used is the contraceptive pill, often referred to simply as “the pill,” which uses synthetic hormones to suppress ovulation and prevent pregnancy. Recently, some new forms of hormonal contraceptives have become available, such as the NuvaRing, which is a plastic ring that is placed inside the vagina and releases a constant low dose of hormones into your body. Another is the Ortho Evra patch which works in a similar way by releasing low-dose hormones through the skin to prevent pregnancy.
While these products are an effective method of birth control, they do have some risks. These risks, like blood clotting, increase with age or if a woman uses tobacco products. Another important thing to understand is that the estrogen component of these products has been linked to a wide variety of nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin C, vitamin B-2 (riboflavin), vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), folate, vitamin B-12 (cobalamin), magnesium, zinc and selenium.
Women can use birth control pills for many years and not stop using them until shortly before they want to try to get pregnant. This is a crucial time in your life when you would like to have optimal health and optimal nutritional status for the health of your baby. Since long-term use of these products has been linked to such a wide variety of nutritional deficiencies, it’s important to supplement your body’s essential nutrients and reduce concerns about deficiency of any essential nutrient during the crucial time you’re trying to conceive .