Would you be on birth control if you didn't have to??

Thanks for the posts, from Katmom. I agree that any new drug introduced has risks, and it is all about weighing the benefits. I personally never had any problems with BC pills, but for my daughter, we don't know. We will watch her closely. She has some other things going on too---perhaps drug induced Lupas as a new thing to worry about. The blood loss counts, the long periods contribute to both anemia and her increased D-- Acne is low on my list now. We will see. Sounds like lots of differentiation here, as is our custom! Keep the info coming!

Well now you know I feel when you respond the way you do to my posts...you obviously read more into what I write and interpret it differently than what I say (twist words) it was not much closer to saying "won't get it", it was exactly as I said originally "will not guarantee keeping you safe from it." You're nit picking/twisting around everything I write and I don't appreciate that so thank goodness for the ignore button which is exactly what I'm going to use, then I won't have to put up with your "know it all" attitude and disection (more like twisting around) everything I say. This is a support forum, not a place to battle over words you don't want to believe to be true.

To be clear enough for you to understand, taking BCP will not necessarily decrease the risk of ovarian cancer for every woman, and not necessarily even for those with a strong family history. But you believe what you want (doesn't make it true). Leading others that read your posts to believe that it will is irresponsible on your part. Saying "it's known to decrease the risk" isn't accurate, saying it can but may not for everyone is accurate.

BTW, just because you don't have a family history of some of the other possible risks of taking BCP doesn't mean that you're completely safe from those risks either.

I have been on a BCP for over 10 years now. I wouldn't stop taking it. I like being able to control when my period comes. After I was dx'd with UC, I started on the every three months cycle - using my regular pills. It helped with the anemia that I had.

I haven't noticed any "extra" yeast infections. In fact the only ones I have had have related to prednisone. I figure I already take a handful of pills, one more tiny one doesn't matter to me.

Yes. The pill got rid of my mom's acne. However, it also gave her blood clots. So I never tried it.

My grandmother also had breast cancer. She took the pill and she didn't breastfeed. So I made sure I didn't take the pill and breastfed my babies. I also had my children early and didn't start to menstruate until I was 17. So hopefully, I won't get breast cancer.

In regard to the pill and cancer:

Some studies have shown an increased risk of breast cancer, while others have shown no change in risk.
2008 new cases: 182,460 (female); 1,990 (male)
Deaths: 40,480 (female); 450 (male)

The pill has been shown to decrease the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.
Ovarian
2008 new cases: 21,650
Deaths: 15,520
Endometrial
2008 new cases: 40,100
Deaths: 7,470

The pill has been shown to increase the risk of cervical cancer.
2008 new cases: 11,070
Deaths: 3,870

The pill has been shown to increase the risk of liver cancer.
Adult liver cancer cases:
2008 new cases: 21,370
Deaths: 18,410

New cases of lung cancer are also quite high:
2008 new cases: 215,020
Deaths: 161,840

So are new cases of colon cancer:
2008 new cases: 108,070 (colon); 40,740 (rectal)
Deaths: 49,960 (colon and rectal combined)

After following an antifungal regimen and getting well (no meds/no symptoms)after 8 years of UC misery, I came to the conclusion my symptoms were fungus driven. I then tried putting 2 and 2 together, and concluded my many years of BCP usuage "may" have been a key factor in my UC (BCPills can either initiate or exacerbate fungal conditions), along with living in a mildewy/moldy house at one time, and taking antibiotics throughout my life. Interestingly, I discovered a recent study where women who use BCPills are 1.5 times more likely to develop CD or UC than those who don't, along with other lovely dangerous outcomes...... If think if I had the choice whether to do it again, I wouldn't.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031311.html

Another thing you BCP poppers might want to be aware of is some drugs can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Likewise, oral contraceptives can interfere with the effects of some drugs.

These include:

Seizure medications: phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone, ethosuximide, methylphenobarbital, paramethadione, phenobarbital, topiramate

Tuberculosis medication rifampin

Antifungal drug griseofulvin

Anti-anxiety drugs containing benzodiazepine

Corticosteroids

Bronchodilators such as theophylline

St. John's wort

:)

Two things:
1- I hope we can all stay respectful of each other's decisions. There were times in my disease that I felt it was necessary to be on the pill to live a normal life and there were times (like now) where I think being off the pill is best. Some phrases on here just seem laden with judgement such as "you bcp poppers." I appreciate that we are all educating one another but again, lets do it with respect.

2- PB4, I'm curious where you heard that anti-anxiety drugs w/ Benzo's reduce the effectiveness of bcp. I read on my pharmacy hand out that you should inform your doc if you are on benzos and bcps. I called my doctor to make sure that the bcp would still be effective for bc. She said that it would and the only reason benzo's were listed on the pharmacy hand out is because if you are on bcp you might need a lower dose of benzos. Basically the drug is stronger for you if you are on the pill. It has nothing to do with its ability to work as a birth control, or so I was told.

FitzyK23 said...
Two things:
1- I hope we can all stay respectful of each other's decisions. There were times in my disease that I felt it was necessary to be on the pill to live a normal life and there were times (like now) where I think being off the pill is best. Some phrases on here just seem laden with judgement such as "you bcp poppers." I appreciate that we are all educating one another but again, lets do it with respect.

2- PB4, I'm curious where you heard that anti-anxiety drugs w/ Benzo's reduce the effectiveness of bcp. I read on my pharmacy hand out that you should inform your doc if you are on benzos and bcps. I called my doctor to make sure that the bcp would still be effective for bc. She said that it would and the only reason benzo's were listed on the pharmacy hand out is because if you are on bcp you might need a lower dose of benzos. Basically the drug is stronger for you if you are on the pill. It has nothing to do with its ability to work as a birth control, or so I was told.

When I said BCP poppers it was not meant to be offensive and honestly I don't know why you would take it as a form of judgement, it's simply a harmless expression when referring to people that take pills, call me a bee propolis pill popper if you like I wouldn't be offended by it and second, here's the link that I found the info on drug interactions with the BCP...

http://www.healthywomen.org/healthtopics/birthcontrolpills

Not sure what your argument is regarding the interaction, regardless of how it interacts it's still an interaction and all I was doing was sharing info to help others not judging in any way.

I used to take BCP myself so why would I judge anyone for doing so (I used to be a BCP popper, big deal), all I wanted to do was share that there are risks, some that maybe alot of people taking them didn't realize.

So I guess you think I was being diserespectful and you are entitled to your opinion, as we all are, so in my opinion you've over-reacted to my wording.

I don't like taking the pill but I can't walk around with acne. I would have gotten a few jobs last year if my face wasn't in such bad shape from being off the pill. People look down on you. It is easy to say "try this, try that" but the only thing that has ever helped me is hormones. I've met multiple doctors and specialists and none could offer anything other than hormones to treat my situation. I can't live my life cooped up or with my parents because I am unable to get a job because people look at my disgusting pimples and decide another candidate is better for the position. Yes, it is harsh and the world is very shallow but that is reality.

sicklygirl I get why you take it, infact I get that everyone has reasons for taking it, the only thing I'm trying to point out is there are possible risks (including specific possible risks for IBDers that take it) and the drug interactions with Corticosteroids and antibiotcs (2 things that IBDers commonly take) I thought was something important to point out for those that might not be aware. Not to mention with IBDers it can be harder to absorb the pill properly than one who doesn't suffer with IBD so for those also using it for birth control their risk increases for unexpected pregnancies too.

I'm not trying to battle with you or anyone eles that takes it for whatever reason, I'm simply sharing the risks so you can be aware of them (incase you weren't) and outweigh the risks (as Red mentioned) and that you're just careful with them is all.

This topic has come up a few times over the yrs here at HW and the other thing I like to stress for those that take it is to be sure you're at least taking a good probiotic since the pill can certainly exacerbate IBD symptoms for many of IBDers at least being on a good probiotic can possibly help counteract that some.

:)

No worries sicklygirl, we all have our moments LOL, I'm just glad you realize that my replies are based on concern...when I was young I was on the pill and for many yrs at that, I didn't realize the potential hazzards it could cause me and with me having crohn's (crohn's colitis specifically where my CD is affecting my colon) I was horrified when I read articles stating that for women on BCP they have a higher risk of developing CD due to the pill, too little too late, I'd love to go back with the knowledge I have now in the hopes that it may have changed my outcome but obviously I cannot so I just like to help out by pointing out that just as their may be benefits to the pill there may also be risks.

:)

No worries there Fitzyk (my fellow crohnie) pill popper is a term I've always used in talking face to face talking and never was it meant in a derogatory way or ever recieved that way either (guess it's just different depending on what parts you're from) cuz I've always referred to myself as a pill popper, but I get what your saying about the term "drugs" in comparisson to the term "medications".

I myself had no idea that BCP had any affect in regards to corticosteroids, I knew about the correlation with antibiotics though. I hope you're able to get more specific info on the benzos and that they can make any adjustments for you if necessary to keep you on both meds (drugs LOL).

talk with you later :)

Oh well that's good then you don't have to worry about any issues with BCP or interactions.

:)