I would be very glad if you please could shed some light on how birth control pills affect the body from an ayurvedic point of view.

The 5,000-year-old ayurvedic textbooks don’t have much to say about oral contraceptives, but they do have a lot to say about the seasons, rhythms, and cycles of life. Ayurveda recommends that we honor our rhythmicity and the cyclical nature of our body and the universe.

It is possible for a woman who is tuned in to her reproductive cycle to minimize her chances of an unwanted pregnancy. Assuming that you are in a committed relationship, you don’t want to get pregnant, and you are worried about the side effects of birth control pills, I’d suggest that you have an honest conversation with your partner about sharing responsibility for contraception.

In terms of a “natural” approach to birth control, the first step is to carefully track your monthly cycle to see how consistent it is. Notice if you have any symptoms of ovulation mid-cycle. These symptoms may include changes in the vaginal mucosa, body temperature, and sometimes sexual receptivity. The period of ovulation is not the time to engage in unprotected sex. In the week before their period, many women will notice breast tenderness and mood shifts, which indicate that they are past the fertile stage. Practicing conscious sexuality with a partner who is equally invested in avoiding an unintended pregnancy will decrease the chances that you will submit an invitation to a new soul to incarnate in your life.

With love,
David