Is the birth control pill really treating PCOS and hormonal symptoms? Learn why suppressing ovulation can delay diagnosis and how to support fertility through root-cause healing with Dr. Kayla Borchers of Holistically Well, joined by Haley Yeager, host of the Truth & Fertility Podcast. Haley is a Creighton Method and symptothermal instructor dedicated to helping women understand their cycles and approach fertility through a restorative, root-cause lens!
EPISODE 54 | HOLISTICALLY WELL PODCAST — WHY SUPPRESSING OVULATION ISN’T HEALTH CARE: PCOS, FERTILITY & ROOT-CAUSE HEALING
Whether you learn best by listening, reading, or watching, there is something for you! You can catch the audio version on the Holistically Well Podcast—available on all your favorite platforms!
Holistically Well Podcast on Apple | Episode 54
Holistically Well Podcast on Spotify | Episode 54
Holistically Well Podcast on YouTube | Episode 54
KEY TAKEAWAYS
🌿 Your menstrual cycle is a reflection of overall health
🔄 Why ovulation is essential for hormone health
🩺 How the pill often masks symptoms instead of treating root causes
📊 Cycle charting can reveal hormonal imbalances
🤍 The Creighton Method as a natural approach to fertility and hormone health
Why Your Cycle Deserves More Attention
Most women were taught how to manage their cycle… not how to understand it.
Your menstrual cycle isn’t just about whether or not you get a period—it’s a vital sign of your health.
Irregular cycles, painful periods, acne, or PMS aren’t random inconveniences. As Dr. Kayla dives deeper to on Instagram, they’re signals. When we suppress those signals instead of exploring them, we miss the opportunity to understand what the body is trying to communicate.
The Birth Control Pill
The birth control pill is often prescribed as a first-line solution for:
- Irregular cycles
- Acne
- Painful periods
- PMS
While it can be effective at symptom suppression, it does not address the underlying cause.
In fact, the primary mechanism of the pill is to suppress ovulation—a key function of female physiology!
This matters because ovulation supports:
- Hormonal balance
- Bone health
- Thyroid function
- Nervous system regulation
When ovulation is suppressed long-term, we’re not restoring health, we’re bypassing it.
Why Ovulation Is Essential (Even If You’re Not Trying to Get Pregnant)
There’s a common misconception that ovulation only matters for fertility!
Ovulation is actually a cornerstone of female health.
Without regular ovulation, we may see:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Low progesterone
- Increased risk of stress fractures (especially in athletes)
- Mood changes and fatigue
As discussed in the episode, we wouldn’t ignore dysfunction in any other system of the body so why do we normalize it here?
The Power of Cycle Charting
Cycle charting shifts the conversation from suppression → understanding.
Methods like the Creighton Method or symptothermal tracking allow women to observe:
- Cervical mucus patterns
- Cycle length and consistency
- Ovulation timing
- Hormonal fluctuations
These observations act as a real-time window into your hormones!
For example:
- Spotting before your period can indicate low progesterone
- Lack of cervical mucus may impact fertility
- Irregular patterns can point toward conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
This is where charting becomes more than tracking—it becomes diagnostic insight.
Delayed Diagnosis: What We Risk by Suppressing Symptoms
One of the biggest concerns with long-term hormonal birth control use is delayed diagnosis.
When symptoms are masked, underlying conditions can go unnoticed for years, including:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Endometriosis
- PCOS
Many women only discover these issues when they try to conceive—and by then, the journey can feel more complex than it needed to be.
As shared in the conversation, “no woman is healthier coming off the pill than she was going on it.”
This is also where support beyond hormones can make a meaningful difference. Pelvic floor physical therapy with the Holistically Well Team offers a deeper look at how your body is functioning as a whole—assessing breath, core coordination, posture, and nervous system patterns that don’t always show up on labs or imaging, but can directly impact fertility, cycle symptoms, and overall well-being.
Natural Family Planning: A Different Approach
Natural family planning (NFP) isn’t just about pregnancy prevention… it’s about body literacy.
When practiced with proper guidance, it offers:
- Zero hormonal disruption
- Insight into fertility and health
- A deeper connection to your body’s patterns
Importantly, it supports your health rather than overriding it.
Postpartum & Cycle Awareness
Postpartum is one of the most misunderstood times for fertility. It’s actually why I’ve created an entire program dedicated towards understanding this phase of motherhood!
Key things to know:
- You can ovulate before your first postpartum period
- Cervical mucus patterns may look different
- Breastfeeding can delay ovulation—but not always
This is why awareness (not guesswork) matters.
Learning to observe subtle changes—like shifts in mucus or temperature—can help you understand when fertility is returning.
When Everything Looks “Normal”… But You Still Feel Off
Even if your cycle appears regular, your body may still be signaling something deeper.
This is where trusting your intuition matters and a more holistic, root-cause approach can be incredibly supportive.
Consider exploring:
- Restorative reproductive medicine
- Functional lab work
- Virtual Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy with the Holistically Well Team (in person, too). If you are local to Sidney, Ohio, we provide one-on-one holistic orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapy sessions in our private practice!
If you are outside the area — or prefer a guided, self-paced option — we offer comprehensive online programs for: - Preconception
- Nervous system regulation support with the Holistically Well Team in Sidney, Ohio (and online!)
CONNECT WITH DR. KAYLA & THE HOLISTICALLY WELL TEAM
- Website: drkaylaborchers.com
- Instagram: @drkaylaborchers
