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

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Katmom
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2008
Posts : 1203
Posted 4/16/2009 7:30 PM (GMT -7)
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!
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fruitgirl
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Joined : Feb 2009
Posts : 7150
Posted 4/16/2009 7:53 PM (GMT -7)
pb4, my so-called "defensive" attitude has nothing to do with pred and I most certainly am not twisting words. I don't appreciate the attack on my personality.

Your statement of "..will not guarantee keeping you safe from it" was much closer to saying "won't get it" than it was to "won't decrease the risk."

There's clearly no way for me to know whether or not it will decrease my personal risk, though, so my reasoning of doing anything I can to decrease my risk still stands. And yes, I do know the health risks, but I don't have any family history of those conditions. Therefore, I feel it's in my best interests to take the pill given my family history.
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 4/16/2009 8:26 PM (GMT -7)
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.
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MMMNAVY
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Joined : Jul 2006
Posts : 6927
Posted 4/17/2009 6:00 AM (GMT -7)
Hey Ladies,
For ovarian cancer, please make sure you get CA-125 done yearly (like guys get PSA's done) if you are having unusual symptoms please get a CT scan done. Get the genetic testing done as well if you can afford it, it is about 2,000 dollars to get it done. Just be vigilant about it, especially if you have a family history.

Althought I do wonder if birth control will stop hyper dysplasia, frankly I worried about that being "just" a six month treatment.  As hyper dysplasia is an extreme abnormal cell growth, but I might be misunderstanding Linda/therearemiracles.  Linda has your doctor done a CA-125?

Lets face it this a multi layered issue there are good and bad things about taking any BC.  Please do you research.
TC,
Navy

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dakotagirl
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Joined : Apr 2006
Posts : 3402
Posted 4/17/2009 7:28 AM (GMT -7)
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.
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notsosicklygirl
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Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 17858
Posted 4/17/2009 2:11 PM (GMT -7)

pb4 said...

sicklygirl said...
I notice I am more prone to yeast and bv when I am on the pill but my skin is awful if I don't take it so I have no choice. I would look worse than a 13 year old going through puberty and I am an adult. To answer your question, No, I wouldn't opt to take the pill if I didn't need it for my skin.


There are other methods to help with your skin, Poractiv is a great product that aids with acne issues, biotin also aids with skin issues.

:)

I have tried so many products. OTC and prescription. I've seen dermatologists and GPs, I have really exhausted the options. The dermatologist recommended I take birth control pills after hearing all the topical treatments I have tried. My hormones are so up and down, the only way to keep my skin decent is hormones. I would love to try something more herbal but nothing has worked. I also don't want children - I need the pill for that reason as well.
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subdued
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 3231
Posted 4/17/2009 3:18 PM (GMT -7)
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)
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 4/17/2009 3:39 PM (GMT -7)
That is good info subdued I'm glad you posted it, I hope others will benefit from it and take it into account before considering using the BCP.

:)
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kim123
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2006
Posts : 1201
Posted 4/17/2009 5:30 PM (GMT -7)

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

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mythmoon
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2009
Posts : 135
Posted 4/17/2009 6:22 PM (GMT -7)
The reason some of you would be getting breakthrough bleeding on Yaz is because it is an extremely low dose hormonal pill. I love my bcp will never give it up and I'm on a higher dose one so I don't get breakthrough bleeding and I don't have a period every month, only every third month. Seasonal is what it's called.
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 4/17/2009 6:30 PM (GMT -7)
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

:)
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 4/17/2009 6:35 PM (GMT -7)
Some women develop breakthrough bleeding after months or years of birth control pill use. The pills' hormones can cause the uterine lining to get very thin over time, so sometimes it may not have the necessary structure to stay in place, causing spotting or an early period. This is not dangerous, but can be bothersome. It's not always because of low dose hormonal pill that can cause this to happen though.


:)
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FitzyK23
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 4219
Posted 4/18/2009 8:38 AM (GMT -7)
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.
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Red_34
Forum Moderator
Joined : Apr 2004
Posts : 23581
Posted 4/18/2009 9:08 AM (GMT -7)
I am unable to take bcp's. They have always gave me migraines no matter how low of a dose. A couple years ago I was having issues with my period so my PCP prescribed me progesterone - btw, this made it a 100x's worse. But I mentioned this to my GI and he seemed sort of shocked that I was even taking a hormone. He told me to stop it pronto because any hormones (including the bcp's) can increase the likelihood of blood clots. He mentioned that having Uc increases the risk of bloodclots anyway and add a bcp on top it is like stoking the coals. I didn't know of anything about ovarian cancer and bcp's but I think you should discuss this with your doctor and weigh the pros and cons of taking them.
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 4/18/2009 11:20 AM (GMT -7)

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.

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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 4/18/2009 12:23 PM (GMT -7)

Here's a link regarding IBD and BCP...

http://www.womens-health.co.uk/pill-ibd.html

http://www.physiciansforlife.org/content/view/1718/36/

:)


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notsosicklygirl
Forum Moderator
Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 17858
Posted 4/18/2009 2:00 PM (GMT -7)
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.

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fruitgirl
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2009
Posts : 7150
Posted 4/18/2009 2:32 PM (GMT -7)
sicklygirl, to me, it's obvious there are a couple of people on here who seem to think there's no good reason to take BCP, or perhaps that there's no reason that's good enough to outweigh the risks. I think your reason is quite valid and I think mine is as well. All of the OBGYNs that I've seen since I started the pill at 18 thought it was a very good idea for me to be on it, and from what I've read, you've been to see a number of doctors as well. I'm glad you found something that controls your acne...I've never had severe acne, but I do have eczema that can get really bad on my neck, so I understand your embarrassment to some degree.
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 4/18/2009 2:47 PM (GMT -7)
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.

:)
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notsosicklygirl
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Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 17858
Posted 4/18/2009 3:41 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks for your concern. I know there are a lot of negatives to the pill but there are also some positives. I would love to get off it but as I said, I can't walk around with a face full of cystic acne and scars. Sorry if I came across as cranky, I was exhausted and passed out a few minutes later.

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pb4
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Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 4/18/2009 4:12 PM (GMT -7)
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.

:)
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FitzyK23
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Posts : 4219
Posted 4/18/2009 5:33 PM (GMT -7)
Pb4, glad to know your phrase wasn't meant as a criticism. It might be a regional thing but where I live pill popper is always used as a derogatory term. I know in other parts of the country referring to medications as drugs is frowned upon as "drugs" are taken recreationally while medication is medicinal, etc. It is probably just a dialect thing, no biggy. I wasn't trying to argue with you regarding benzos and bcp's by any means. I was legitimately curious where you had learned that because it was a concern of mine when I was on it. My biggest concern was having the pill be cancelled out and getting pregnant. I thought that was what you were talking about in your post. I wasn't trying to split hairs. I was just saying "holy crap, my doctor never said I could get pregnant! She just said my xanax might just feel a little stronger... crap, was she wrong? Where did you hear otherwise? etc." That was my train of thought. Hard to convey properly in typing I guess -- not trying to start some kind of cyber fight.
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pb4
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Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 4/18/2009 7:12 PM (GMT -7)
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 :)
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FitzyK23
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Joined : May 2005
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Posted 4/19/2009 9:19 AM (GMT -7)
I'm off the bcp now so its not a big deal and I only take the xanax as needed which is rarely even once per month.
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 4/19/2009 11:00 AM (GMT -7)
Oh well that's good then you don't have to worry about any issues with BCP or interactions.

:)
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