Ep 23: All Things Birth Control: IUDs vs Oral Contraceptives vs Alternative Options with Dr. Lara Briden

Episode 23 In this episode of the Nutrient Dense Podcast, I interview Dr. Lara Briden, a naturopathic doctor and author, to discuss women’s hormonal health, particularly focusing on birth control methods and their impacts on the body. We explore the differences between hormonal and copper IUDs, the effects of hormonal birth control on gut health, and the misconceptions surrounding hormonal regulation. Dr. Briden emphasizes the importance of understanding how these methods affect women’s health, including the suppression of natural hormone production and the potential long-term consequences of using these contraceptives. Together we explore alternative contraception options, the role of hormonal IUDs, and the effects of hormonal birth control on menstrual health and gut microbiome. The discussion also touches on endometriosis and the importance of understanding individual health needs when considering birth control options.     WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE: Hormonal birth control does not "balance hormones". Will we look back in a decade and ask: how did we allow women to be on birth control so regularly? Many women experience negative side effects from hormonal contraceptives. Hormonal birth control can impact gut health and nutrient absorption. Endometriosis treatment should consider more than just hormonal solutions, which includes the gut. Transitioning off of birth control can lead to various hormonal responses. Understanding individual health history is crucial when choosing birth control: not all are a good fit for everyone. A new men's birth control method is coming!       LINKS: Book a strategy call with Hannah HERE Take the Gut Health Root Cause Quiz for free! Equip Protein: use the code hannahaylwardhhc for 15% off Listen to Episode 6 - Q&A with Team HAN: SIBO, mold toxicity, histamine overload & more Listen to Episode 17 - Decoding Your Gut: Functional Stool Testing Deep Dive Listen to Episode 22 - 5 Hacks for Pain-free Periods        CONNECT WITH HANNAH: Instagram  |   Website             CONNECT WITH DR. LARA: Website: www.larabriden.com                 If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend and leave us a rating/review! Thank you for listening ✨