When one of my former athletes landed in the ER with major blood sugar issues, it wasn’t because of her training, stress, or food choices.
It was birth control.
She’d been prescribed the pill to manage hormone-related symptoms. What she needed was support through hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Instead, she was given something that made her feel worse—and it wasn’t her fault.
It’s a common story. And it’s time we start talking about it.
Because birth control and HRT are not the same thing. Not even close. Especially for those of us who rely on our bodies to do more than just get through the day.
If you’re an athlete, a runner, someone who lifts, someone who moves—this is for you.
Let’s break it down.
Birth control suppresses your hormones. HRT supports them.
That’s the simplest way to frame it. Birth control was designed to prevent pregnancy by shutting down ovulation. It uses synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone that are stronger, less targeted, and harder on your system. That’s not a bad thing in your 20s when contraception is the goal. But it’s not the same as what your body needs during hormone changes later in life.
HRT, on the other hand, replaces what your body has stopped making. And when it’s done right—with bioidentical estrogen and micronized progesterone—it supports everything from sleep and mood to muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, and performance.
If you train, compete, or just want to feel strong, this matters.
So why are so many women still being put on birth control?
Part of it is habit. Part of it is training. Many healthcare providers still default to the pill because it’s familiar and easy to prescribe. Insurance often covers it. And, honestly, there’s still a big gap in how we talk about hormone changes outside the context of pregnancy or fertility.
But here’s what gets missed: hormones impact your entire body. Not just your cycle. And if you’re still being handed a prescription that was made for a completely different purpose, you have every right to ask, “Is this really what I need?”
Real performance support starts with the right hormones.
Estrogen helps regulate glucose, improves blood flow to working muscles, and supports recovery. It keeps bones strong and minds sharp. It even supports VO2max. That’s not fluff. That’s science.
But when you’re on synthetic birth control, your system is getting a constant dose of hormone-like compounds that don’t cycle naturally and may spike inflammation or mess with insulin sensitivity. For athletes—especially those noticing changes in recovery, energy, or metabolism—this can quietly derail progress.
It doesn’t have to.
So what should you ask instead?
Ask if the treatment is supporting or suppressing your hormones.
Ask how it might affect your glucose, your sleep, your strength training.
Ask if it’s bioidentical or synthetic. Transdermal or oral. Tailored or templated.
And ask yourself: If I had access to better options, would I choose differently?
For the skeptics: here’s the truth.
I’m not a doctor—and I’m not trying to be one. What I am is a coach who works daily with women navigating hormone changes while training, competing, and trying to feel good in their bodies. I’m not here to diagnose or prescribe. I’m here to share what I’ve seen, what the research supports, and what too many women are never told: that there are real differences between birth control and HRT, and that the default approach isn’t always the right one. This isn’t fear-based, it’s fact-based. And it’s rooted in advocating for more informed conversations—not less. Women deserve to understand their options fully, especially when their performance, health, and quality of life are on the line.
You deserve more than a default solution.
You deserve care that supports how you move, train, and live.
If you’re navigating hormone changes and want a coach who gets it—someone who understands how performance, hormones, and strength all work together—I’d love to work with you. I offer coaching designed for active women who don’t want to settle for “just getting through it.”
Let’s build a plan that works with your body, not against it.
Work with me or get in touch to learn how we can move forward—stronger, smarter, and with a lot less guesswork.