A Cuppa with Naturopath Tahlia Swartz

Hi Tahlia, can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background in naturopathy?

I chose to pursue a career in Naturopathy after going through my own health journey. I struggled a lot with gut and hormone-related issues in my early 20s and discovered Naturopathy. It not only dramatically shifted my health, but my life in general. I felt so called to support other women on the same journey.

 

Why did you decide to specialise in gut health and hormones? And how did this journey lead you to help women coming off hormonal birth control?

It really came from my own experience and what I saw most women struggling with in the clinic. I struggled with post-pill amenorrhea (lack of period) alongside a wide range of other issues after coming off the pill myself and found so many women also struggled with the same thing. There’s an expectation and we’re told that we should be able to come off the pill, get our period back instantly and even fall pregnant straight away but unfortunately, this is rarely the case.

 

From your experience, what are some of the main reasons women are deciding to come off hormonal birth control?

I think hormonal birth control can be incredibly supportive when used short term for some more chronic health conditions where it can help to reduce symptoms like extreme pain. However, most women are put on birth control for very insignificant symptoms. And realistically it doesn’t ‘fix’ anything, it’s just a band-aid approach that masks symptoms. I think a lot of women are more educated on it now, and don’t like the wide range of side effects that come with it. It’s so great to see so many women wanting to take back their fertility and learn natural birth control methods.

 

Can you explain how hormonal birth control affects gut health and hormone balance in the body?

So birth control (the pill) shuts down our natural production of hormones and replaces it with a synthetic version. There’s a myth out there that hormonal birth control ‘balances’ hormones and ‘regulates’ the cycle but really it doesn’t, it's just a band-aid approach to reduce symptoms. It appears to regulate the cycle because we’re not having a true cycle and period, it is simply the effect of the medication and then a withdrawal bleed which mimics a period. The pill shuts down ovulation so we are not producing progesterone, which is a crucial hormone for women's health! The pill can also alter our microbiome, drive up inflammation and even increase our risk of inflammatory bowel diseases!

 

If our readers are considering coming off hormonal birth control, what are some factors that should be considered beforehand? 

I really encourage doing this with the support of a healthcare practitioner. I always recommend 1-3 months of preparation work with my clients. We get all the basics down e.g. making sure their diet is balanced, and their gut health is great and replace lost nutrients from the pill so that they aren’t depleted when they decide to come off birth control. I find this helps to reduce post-pill symptoms almost completely.

 

What are some common symptoms or side effects people may experience when coming off hormonal birth control? How can naturopathy aid in mitigating these effects and supporting the restoration of hormonal balance?

Post-birth control syndrome is a real thing and something a lot of women experience.  The most common symptoms I see are post-pill amenorrhea (absent period), post-pill PCOS, post-pill acne and quite significant hormone imbalances leading to irregular cycles, period paid and PMS.

 

What role does gut health play in hormone regulation, especially after discontinuing hormonal birth control?

Our gut health is everything! Our body uses our digestive system to eliminate excess hormones, so a healthy gut, specifically regular bowel motions is essential to make sure the body is clearing these properly. Our gut facilitates the absorption of key nutrients which are crucial for hormone health. Inflammation within the gut and conditions like leaky gut and dysbiosis (bad bacteria in the gut) will have a negative impact on hormone health.

 

Are there lifestyle recommendations or self-care practices that you often suggest to women as they come off hormonal birth control to promote gut health, hormonal balance, and overall well-being?

Regular suggestions are things like castor oil packs, herbal tea and reducing caffeine and alcohol. I encourage all my clients to track their cycle and ovulation and learn to connect to their bodies and live more in alignment with their cycles.

 

How do you address concerns about fertility and menstrual irregularities when transitioning off hormonal birth control?

Generally, with the right support you should be able to get your natural cycle back and have no fertility issues after coming off the pill. But sometimes it can take women 6 months+ to get their natural cycle back. Coming off the pill is almost like going through puberty again, so it’s natural to notice a temporary increase in some symptoms. I don’t recommend women wait until they want to fall pregnant to come off birth control but do it in advance so you are well prepared and have healthy balanced hormones for that crucial time in life!

 

What advice would you share with women who are considering or in the process of discontinuing hormonal contraceptives, for either fertility or to embrace their natural hormonal rhythms?

My advice would be to deep dive and learn about their hormones, their cycle and how this can influence how they feel over the month. I find so many of my clients feel so empowered and really learn to understand and connect with their body and intuition when they prioritise this. Some great books to start with are ‘In the Flo’ by Alissa Vitti and ‘Wild Power’. I’d also recommend looking into fertility devices that take basal body temperature and sync over to an app. 

 

What advice do you have for those who are worried about potential side effects?

My advice would be if you are worried to see a naturopath for some support and guidance. Some women will have no issues at all but it always helps to be prepared and take a preventative approach! 

 

Can you discuss the importance of personalised care and individualised treatment plans when addressing hormone balance and gut health?

So incredibly important, in a world where we can jump in Tiktok, google or purchase just about any supplement online, it’s so crucial to understand that every woman is different. It’s not enough to just purchase a hormone supplement online and expect that to work for you. Your individual biochemistry means you need an individualised approach. This is how naturopaths can support you.

 

As a Naturopath-formulated brand, we're dedicated to harnessing the power of nature's healing plants to support overall well-being. Are there any Mayde Tea blends that you're currently enjoying or have as a favourite?

Yes absolutely! I’m currently pregnant and have cut back on my caffeine so I love the Serenity tea every night before bed with a bit of dark chocolate. I also have been drinking the Turmeric Rooibos Chai as a caffeine free alternative which I am loving!!

 

What are you currently...

Reading: A Court of Thorns and Roses Book 3 - I’m super into fantasy right now!

Listening to: Greenlights Audio Book by Matthew Mcconaughey

Eating: I’ve just gotten my appetite and love for food back after a tricky trimester 1, so i’m loving eating healthy veggies, salads and whole foods! Going into winter i’ll definitely be doing some more slow cooking and soups

 

If you can find more about Tahlia at here or on Instagram.