The Birth Control Illusion: What Hormonal Contraception Does to Your Body | Tierra Duncan

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Most of us went on birth control at 16 or 17 and never thought about it again. But what if it's been quietly affecting your mood, libido, bone density, and more — for decades — and no one told you?

In this episode of Between the Sheets with Dr. Z, Dr. Stephanie Zwonitzer, DNP talks with Tierra Duncan, author of The Birth Control Illusion: Reclaiming Hormones, Health and Your Cycle, about the gaps in women's health education around hormonal contraception — and what informed consent should actually look like.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are "whole body" hormones, not just reproductive ones
• How synthetic hormones in birth control differ from your body's natural hormones — and why that matters
• The real link between birth control and mood disorders, low libido, vaginal dryness, and bone density loss
• Why the "period" you have on the pill isn't a real period (and the surprising marketing history behind it)
• How birth control is often prescribed for symptoms (acne, cramps, heavy periods) instead of addressing root causes
• Non-hormonal alternatives, including the fertility awareness method and copper IUD trade-offs
• Why postpartum birth control decisions deserve more caution and conversation
• How tracking your cycle can help you understand your energy, mood, and body better — without falling into rigid "cycle syncing" rules
• Why sleep, stress, and nutrition play a bigger role in hormone health than most people realize

This is the conversation so many women wish they'd had before they ever started birth control — and one worth having now, no matter your age or stage.

🎙️ Guest: Tierra Duncan, author, educator, and women's health advocate
 🔗 Book: The Birth Control Illusion (Amazon, Audible, Kindle, Barnes & Noble) | YouTube & Instagram: @tierraduncanauthor | Website: tierraduncan.com

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Episode is sponsored by Boston Scientific and EDCure. For more information click here:
www.EDCure.com/BTS