urgirlleila

tw: school shooting/gun discussion, politics

I just recently started birth control and I’ve been doing a lot of research on it so that I can keep track of my symptoms and what not. I had extremely painful periods and needed the birth control or else I’d be throwing up, shaky, and all sorts of other bad things.

Anyways, I started looking into depression prevention methods for myself. I’ve had depression many times before and I know birth control can cause it, so I’m taking preemptive measures. While I was looking at the article I read, I found out that not only is birth control an inflammatory, but it causes vitamin depletions.

These nutrient depletions could be an underlying cause to so many peoples’ depression when they take birth control. I’m angry that this isn’t in the normal list of symptoms and that I have to specifically look for it. I searched it up after I saw it in the article and it’s completely true! I’m pissed that this has to be specifically searched up when it should be listed in the symptom list. People knowing about this could not only make them healthier, in terms of vitamins and nutrients, but make them healthier mentally, even if they’re not taking birth control.

The vitamins, acids, and minerals that are typically depleted are vitamin E; vitamin C; Vitamin B2, B6, and B12; magnesium; folic acids; zinc; the amino acid tyrosine; and selenium. I went and gathered a list of foods that would help keep these vitamins, minerals, and acid levels mostly normal (but I would recommend supplements if you can’t have any of these). I recommend doing your own research and figuring out what is best for you; I’m not a doctor and I’m certainly not a dietitian.

Vitamin B2: Almonds, whole oats, whole grain barley, quinoa, wild rice, soybeans, beef, salmon, pork, spinach, avocado, eggs, collard greens, romaine lettuce, milk, legumes, chicken, turkey.

Vitamin B6: Chickpeas, beef, turkey, brown rice, potatoes, chestnuts, salmon, poultry, milk, carrots, spinach, green peas, bananas, avocado.

Vitamin B12: Salmon, Yogurt, eggs, nutritional yeast, cheese, pork, milk, beef, chicken, turkey.

Vitamin C: Oranges, lemon, brussel sprouts, mango, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, cauliflower, tomatoes, cantaloupe, broccoli, strawberries, mustard greens, pineapple.

Vitamin E: Almonds, broccoli, hazelnut, asparagus, pumpkin, mango, peanut butter, spinach, pine nuts, mustard greens, tomatoes.

Magnesium: Almonds, pecans, spinach, black beans, avocado, cashews, pumpkin seed, chia seed, potatoes, leafy greens, brown rice, peanuts, yogurt, salmon, dark chocolate, tofu, bananas, legumes.

Zinc: Beef, pork, chicken, pine nuts, peanuts, cashews, almonds, legumes, seeds, dairy products, oats, black beans.

Selenium: Pork, beef, chicken, eggs, Brazil nuts, salmon, grains, turkey, brown rice, sunflower seeds, lentils, baked beans, oatmeal, spinach, milk, yogurt, pistachios, bananas.

Folic Acids: Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, spring greens, spinach, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans, legumes, asparagus, eggs, beets, citrus fruits, bananas.

Tyrosine: soy products, chicken, turkey, fish, peanuts, almonds, avocados, bananas, milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, lima beans, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds.

You can take prenatal supplements that will give you a good dosage of all of these! There are supplements for people who need them and we need to be aware of what the doctors aren’t telling us. People who take birth control are more likely to become depressed or suicidal, even more so in teens, so this needs to be known. I don’t care if it stops 1 or a 1000 cases of depression/suicide because even if it helps prevent 1, just 1, then EVERYONE needs to know. This could save someone, even if it doesn’t seem like a lot or doesn’t seem that serious.

What each vitamin, mineral, acid does for your body:

Vitamin B2: important for the growth, development, and function of the cells in your body, energy production, and metabolism of fats, drugs, and steroids

Vitamin B6: important for normal brain development and for keeping the nervous system and immune system healthy

Vitamin B12: helps keep blood and nerve cells healthy. It's also essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and converting food into energy

Vitamin C: needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is used to: Form an important protein called collagen, used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels

Vitamin E: vital for vision, reproduction, and the health of the brain, blood, and skin

Magnesium: better sleep, increased energy levels and improved mood, helps the heart maintain a healthy rhythm and is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and cholesterol production

Zinc: helps your immune system and metabolism function, important to wound healing and your sense of taste and smell

Selenium: reduction in cancer risk, cardiovascular, Alzheimer's disease, thyroid disease, and beneficial effects on reproductive health and fertility

Folic Acids: helps your body make new cells, reduces your risk for heart disease, stroke and some types of cancers

Tyrosine: essential component for the production of several important brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Neurotransmitters help nerve cells communicate and influence mood. Tyrosine also helps produce melanin, the pigment responsible for hair and skin color

myself in any way that

will unmake the past.

I will be updating this as I get more submissions. Please continue to send me your recommendations.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of resources for marginalized groups who will likely be impacted by this second Trump presidency. Many of these also have donation options for those who are able to contribute.

Country-Wide: Call Blackline (BIPOC, LGBTQ+): 800-604-5841 Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line: 888-407-4515 StrongHearts Native Helpline (Native Americans & Alaska Natives): 844-762-8483 Thrive Lifeline (Trans-led and operated): 313-662-8209 LGBT National Help Center: 888-843-4564 American Civil Liberties Union National Black Justice Coalition  

Indiana: Women 4 Change Indiana Indy Pride United Way of Central Indiana Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Indiana Latino Institute All Options Pregnancy Resource Center  

Maryland: The Arc Baltimore   Stepping Stones Shelter Progress Place Pride Center of Maryland Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center

New York: Center for Migration Studies New York New York Immigration Coalition The Center Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY ADAPT Community Network Pride Center of The Capital Region In Our Own Voices Inc. Center for the Women in New York RAHAMA Compass House Capital District Center for Independence Inc. MOCHA Center Rochester Rainbow Center

Texas: Youth First OUTReach Denton United Black Ellument (UBE) FUSE GenderBrave SapphiQ THRIVE Gender-Affirming Support Group Artes de la Rosa Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Wellness Coalition The Concilio Texas Equal Action Fund Avow Texas Fund Texas Choice Lilith Fund Northside Inter-Community Agency

Virginia: Treasure House Equality Virginia Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia ReproRising Virginia