Natural methods of contraception are on the rise in Australia, recent studies have revealed.

There has been growing awareness of the risks associated with the contraceptive pill, especially among younger people.

The pill was introduced in the 1960’s and became a symbol of reproductive freedom.

Today, roughly one-third of sexually active Australian women are taking the pill and 80 per cent will have taken the pill at some point in their life, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Yet, the Roy Morgan Research group reveals a decline in the number of women taking the pill, declining by 5 per cent from 2008 to 2015.

In fact, a recent study out of Monash University shows that natural contraception methods like fertility awareness and withdrawal are on the rise.

Sara Holton, a Research Fellow at the Jean Hailes Research Unit, Monash University says these days “some women may prefer more 'natural' methods”.

The study surveyed a large number of sexually active Australian women and showed that about 15 per cent opted for natural methods, a significant increase compared to earlier studies.

All you have to do is look at the risks, the rise in more holistic approaches to health and the general increase in awareness of wellbeing among the younger generation.

The ‘Betterhealth’ initiative distributed by the Victorian government lists the disadvantages of taking the pill. Here’s some main points we picked out earlier:

• Cost.
• Side effects like nausea, breast tenderness, headaches and increased appetite.
• Disruption to natural female hormones.
• Serious side effects like blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.
• It does not provide protection from sexually transmitted infections.

Sydney woman Sasha, 23, started investigating alternative contraceptive methods after some seriously bad experiences with the pill.

Sasha said: “I started taking the pill when I was 17 to help with my acne. My acne wasn’t even that bad, but my doctor gave me the pill without any hesitation”.

For Sasha, the pill led to crazy mood swings, intense cravings, migraines and significant weight gain.

“I took the pill for about two years before I realised how much it was messing with my body. It took me a year to gain my period back,” she said.

Sasha recalls how this realisation came about after she was forced to go off the pill towards the end of her gap year in England, as Sasha’s doctor refused to prescribe her the pill.

Sasha said: “I think people go on the pill so mindlessly because everyone else does, without actually realising what it’s doing to you and that there are hypes of other options”.

Strong advocates for the pill argue it is the most convenient method of contraception and helps with underlying health issues such a period cramps and PCOS.

Natural methods such as withdrawal also do not 100 per cent guarantee protection.

Dr Tamara Lam, who specialises in women’s health, says the pill does have a positive indication for contraception, acne and certain health issues.

Dr Lam says there are associated risks such as bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea and sometimes it can worsen acne, but maintains she prescribes it regularly as it is often the best fit.

“However, we don’t jump straight in and put everyone on the pill because it’s not always suitable,” she says.

Sasha’s newfound interest in balancing her hormones led her away from her doctor, and she began seeing various naturopaths.

Chantelle van der Weyden, naturopath at West Street Wellbeing in North Sydney, says that whilst the pill sometimes has a place, there are many better non-hormonal options for contraception that do not have negative effects on women’s health.

Chantelle says: “the pill depletes B vitamins and zinc, and negatively influences the gut microbiome and bone density. It may cause weight gain, depression, anxiety, hair loss, low libido, blood clots, and headaches”.

“Women are not being educated on other options, nor are they being provided with the correct information when it comes to exactly what the pill does,” she said.

Chantelle aims to provide her patients with awareness of the long-term consequences of taking the pill.

She said: “The hormones within the pill mimic true hormones and the bleed you have while taking the pill is a withdrawal bleed, and while it may feel like a period it is most definitely not a period!”

Sara Holton says despite concerns; the pill remains the most common form of contraception in Australia.

She said: “GPs are often more likely to prescribe the pill than other methods, as this is a method they are familiar with”.

There remains an increase in women choosing to ditch the pill, which can be put down to increased education and society’s growing affiliation with an organic lifestyle, which is SUPER prevalent among the younger crowds. #vegan #wastefree #savethetrees.

As Dr Holton put it, the pill is a relatively effective way to prevent pregnancy but there are also serious concerns attached to its use.

It seems we need to start thinking about whether the pill is the right fit, and maybe it’s time to breathe a sigh of relief and chuck that expensive, flimsy, foil packet in the bin one final time.