Beyond the Pill audiobook

After being on the BC pill since I was 15, I finally have made the decision to come off. I realize the implications this will have on my body and how I will feel the next couple months only because of reading this and many other informative books. If you are on it or thinking of getting on/off, then I highly recommend this read as it is very helpful in navigating what you can do if you chose to stay on or off.

I am grateful for this book, I am grateful that woman are beginning to speak out and share the damage birth control has done to their bodies, I am grateful we can heal. If I'd put my emotions aside when reading this I would have been able to fly through, the information was fascinating and easy to get through. Most times I opened the book I felt hopeful for my own healing, but then would shift into anger that we are doing this to ourselves. I'm sure some people would call this woman a quack. Oh well. Conventional western medicine is mostly still denying the ramifications of birth control. She's trying. She often discusses a topic, such as the rise of benign liver tumors found on women, and is clear that while there is a correlation timing wise, we don't know 100% the causation is bc. If you have taken or are taking bc please read this! She maps out a possible road to recovery. If you took bc and have found you have less energy, digestion issues, absent or unhealthy ovulation, mood shifts etc, know that there is better out there for you and that you can heal! For whatever reason you were put on bc, there is another option. Bc is merely a bandaid, when pulled off you will find over that the wound merely festered. How I rate books:5 Stars= I absolutely loved it, felt very moved. Extraordinary. I rarely give this rating.4 Stars= 3 Stars= I enjoyed it but wasn't wowed. My most common rating2 Stars=Meh1 Stars= The kind of book that I feel shouldn't have been published bc it might discourage some from becoming readers.

I don’t write reviews as often as I should, but I feel it’s very important that I add a few notes after reading some of this book’s reviews. Imagine reading a Nicholas Sparks book and then reading the reviews - there are some 1, 2, and 3 star reviews of people mostly critiquing the fact that they weren’t expecting a love story. You would say “well... what were you expecting?!”Likewise, the poor reviews are based on the fact that the author refers to her products and her 30 day program frequently. But it’s literally on the cover of the book - the book is clearly about her 30 day program. OF COURSE it’s going to be a highlight of the book. It’s the thesis, if you will. I believe that many readers are simply not the audience for this book or not reading it properly. I decided to read it after I read “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” (also highly recommend). I just came off of the BC pill after being on it for 15 years and I’m trying to learn as much as I can. Since I’m not having health issues coming off of the pill right now, much of the book isn’t relevant to me (yet). But it’s still a fantastic book jam packed with research. Moreover, the author breaks down the research in a way that’s easy to digest for those of us who don’t speak science. If you are having health issues after coming off the pill, you should read the whole thing - you are absolutely the audience. If you are interested in learning how birth control affects women, you should still read this - maybe not cover to cover, but check out the index and see what’s relevant to you. I believe this book should serve as mostly a reference guide on an as-needed basis. All in all, I think this is a great book. Check it out.

Incredibly helpful, a must read for anyone who wants to understand their hormones better. Only downside was the constant reference to her programme - it felt like Dr Brighten mentioned it in every other paragraph! In addition, I would have preferred if there had been footnotes referencing the studies relevant to each point she made. I would have preferred a new edition with detailed notes!

Genuinely the most informative book I have ever read. I haven’t even gotten to the last page but I couldn’t wait to write this review.I’ve learned more about the female body and our hormones than I can even describe. I feel so validated. (More validated than any ob/gyn has ever made me feel; and I’ve had my share). Dr. Jolene Brighten has taught me more than any doctor has, and is all about informed consent. The way she writes feels as though I’m having a conversation with her; and I absolutely love it. I have never felt so validated regarding *my* health; and my beliefs on *my* body. She doesn’t judge anyone for any decisions and makes sure her book suits every woman for the decisions they make. She’s very inviting, informative, and seems to have a deep love for women’s health. This book definitely checked all the boxes for me 👍Disclaimers- 1. She recommends multiple supplements throughout the book, and occasionally some will be from her line; but in no way did I get the vibe that she’s just trying to promote her items. She doesn’t mention brands much at all in this book; and it’s clear she just genuinely wants the best for women; and I don’t blame her for occasionally shouting out one of her supplements. However the way people made it sound was that this whole book was just her promoting herself and that is absolutely not the case whatsoever. 2. *excuse my french* and please don’t take offense but if you’re a slut for big pharma, and so on; this probably isn’t the book for you; based on some of the reviews I’m seeing at least. This book is of course made for all women, but it’s definitely exceptionally made for women who have been through the ringer so to say, with doctors, medications, and so on…. She does recommend seeing doctors in this book, so she’s not anti doctor nor anti medication, etc. She is simply Pro-Informed Consent 👏🏼I would even recommend this book to open-minded doctors and OB/GYNs who are open to learning more!! 3. The people saying this book is dangerous…. You are obviously not meant to self diagnose, nor does Dr. Brighten want you to; and she makes that incredibly clear through out the entire book. She is simply giving you suggestions of what your symptoms could potentially be caused by and explains exactly how to look deeper into those problems. Im not sure how that’s is harmful. You’re also simply reading a book and not required to do a damn thing she says; nor believe any of it; if that’s that route you choose to take. But she’s not telling you to drink the kool-aid like some of these reviews are making her sound. 4. She puts all of her sources in the back of the book, and apparently that bothers a lot of people but I’m not sure why.. She has so much information in this book that it would be genuinely impossible to cite her sources on every single page. 10/10 recommend. If you’re a woman who has struggled with doctors this is for you. If you’re a woman looking into a holistic healing approach this is for you. If you want to get off birth control this is for you. If you want to stay on birth control this is for you. If you just want to know more about your hormones this book is for you!!!If you choose to reply to my review with a comment or have a differing opinion than me, please be respectful. I am open to healthy constructive conversations!! :)

This book should be required reading for anyone even thinking about getting on birth control. My doctor certainly didn't tell me that being on the pill causes digestive problems like leaky gut, a decreased libido (like what's the point then?), sabatoges your thyroid, increases your risk for breast, cervical and liver cancers, increased risk of diabetes, the list goes on. In fact, there is a 300% increased risk of developing Chron's if you are on the pill. WHAT! I have tried to get off the pill before and developed horrible cystic acne, a common problem. The solution? get back on the pill. I am so excited to start this program and become more in-tune with my body and hormones. However, my reason for docking a star was the quizzes. They were just a little to generic where I ended up checking off things that contradict one another. For example, I tested positive for both high estrogen and low estrogen because there were so many similar symptoms, it was hard to really navigate. But once you read the entire book you are better able to develop of sense of what is going on.

Mind blowing OMG while reading this book I found out that sexual education classes back at school were all about boys and the only ”use” of girls is to get pregnant Anyway, loads of information, easy to follow, loved the flow and the language. The quiz I found it too vague: according to it I have basically everything- low testosterone and high testosterone.. also she keeps recommending her line of vitamins and supplements, a little too pushy. And if I were to follow her recommendations and take them, my daily intake of some minerals would be like 8 times the recommended. No, thanks, I don’t want to intoxicate my body MORE (thanks pill and ring 🥲)But definitely recommend it to anyone who identifies as a women. Took great deal of info from it and plan to apply specially when “hungovering” from the pill and trying to read my body

The good: there is a ton of important info in these pages, but the quiz in he beginning helps guide you to the most relevant for you to save you time.The bad: as any business owner would, she does a LOT of self-advertising for her products. Though she does make other seldom recommendations and general recommendations.The great: although it’s stacked with medical info, she attempts to talk on a patient level with her readers. I learned a lot, and I would argue for any teenage girl to read this book prior to starting the pill. The more you know.

I have searching for a way to deal with my PCOS-like symptoms, and mostly I have been prescribed birth control pills. I have tried almost every variety, combo pills, mini progestin only pills, the nexplanon arm implant, and every single one made me feel like I had constant allergies. Doctors told me I was probably just allergic to dust. I had no idea the pill actually increased inflammation and can make your body think it’s sick! This book was also illuminating because it offered other forms of very effective contraception. I have started her elimination diet protocol and I am excited to see where it lands me in regard to my acne and hormone balance.

This book is extremely important and should be read by every woman on hormonal birth control or thinking of coming off the birth control pill or any other hormonal contraception. I am shaken thinking about what hormonal birth control does to a woman's body, without us knowing because nobody tells us. Side effects are real people!

Amazing book! I ordered and listened to the entire book on audible in less than 24hrs. It is so great for women on the pill, getting off the pill or even if you've never been on the pill. This book provides some much information in an easy to understand way. You won't believe the things you were never told by doctors.

All the things I wish my doctor told me about the pill before going on it. Ladies, no matter what life stage you’re at — READ THIS. If you want to understand how hormonal birth control affects your body, this is the book for you.