Page 78 - The Autoimmune Protocol

The Autoimmune Protocol

decide what you want to take to manage your symptoms. You may think about turning to
natural alternatives like those listed in the natural remedies section of this book instead.

Hormonal Contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives have already been mentioned, but are worth mentioning again.
These are pushed on women from an early age in many cases to treat everything from
acne to irregular periods. They contain synthetic hormones that actually disrupt a
woman’s normal cycle, cause hormonal imbalance, interrupt ovulation, change the
uterine lining, and affect cervical mucus. They may even cause fertility issues later in life.
Women have been deceived into thinking that hormonal contraceptives are regulating
hormones, when they could be masking symptoms of something more serious that needs
addressing in a different way.

What most hormonal contraceptives do is suppress ovarian function and shut down the
body’s natural hormone function. The natural hormones are then replaced with synthetic
steroids that induce a monthly bleed that is not actually a “real” menstrual cycle, but
rather a bleed induced by stopping the synthetic hormones.

Affecting the natural hormones produced in a woman’s body also alter other functions.
Estrogen plays a critical role in immune system health, and when estrogen is altered by
hormonal contraceptives, issues may arise. Women are much more likely to suffer from
autoimmune disease, and a more critical look at hormonal contraceptives needs to be
taken. Not only this, but women who take hormonal birth control at an increased risk for
stroke. This is because some forms of hormonal contraception affect mineralocorticoid
receptors that are responsible for salt and water balance (swelling and blood pressure) in
the body.

For far too long, women have been told that hormonal contraceptives are safe and
effective. While they may be effective (only if taken properly), they are not as safe as
medical professionals would like to believe.

Antibiotics

At one time, antibiotics were
handed out by doctors without
much hesitation. Today, many
doctors are beginning to realize
that overuse of antibiotics is
contributing to the destruction of
gut bacteria. The fact that
antibiotics are destructive to gut
bacteria has already been discussed
in this book, but it is something to

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