While there are a lot of different options for birth control, the most widely used is the birth control pill, often just referred to as the pill which use synthetic hormones to suppress ovulation to 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 that releases a constant low dose of hormones into your body. Another is the Ortho Evra Patch that works in the 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, such as blood clotting, increase with age, or if a woman uses tobacco products. Another important thing you want 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), Folic acid, Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin), Magnesium, Zinc and Selenium.

Women may use birth control pills for many years, and dont discontinue their use until shortly before they want to try and become pregnant. This is a crucial time in your life that you would want to be in optimal health and have 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 is important to supplement your bodys essential nutrients and lessen worries about being deficient in any essential nutrients during the crucial time you are trying to conceive.

Don Ford, M.D.

C. Donald Ford, MD, Diplomate of the American Board Internal Medicine. Dr. Ford has practiced general internal medicine for the past 22 years. He is a native Texan and trained at Baylor University, the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and Scott and White in Temple. He is a Clinical Assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine. In addition to general Internal Medicine, his practice includes travel medicine, vascular disease prevention, and Integrative Medicine with nutrients. He has been interested in the body?s ability to heal itself since medical school, and has used nutrients throughout his career to help patients use less prescription medication, or avoid it altogether.While he sees the tremendous value prescription medications can provide, he is also aware of the value and place for nutrients.