Hi,
I have take birth control pills off and on since I was about 13...I am now 29. I started them so early to regulate my cycles (I was having constant bleeding). Up until a year ago I have never had any issues with the pills. I had taken Ortho Tri Cyclen and Ortho Tri Cyclen LO. About a year and a half ago I started to experience bad headaches, acne, bad cramping, etc. My obgyn switched me to Yaz b/c she felt one constant hormone would correct these issues. For a year everything was great then about 30 days ago I started getting really tired, body aches, tingling in my face and arm, severe migranes that cannot be controlled well with vicodin or migraine pills. I went to my primary doc to have blood work done and a physical to try to figure out what the issue was. It was suggested that it could all be side effects of my birth control pills. I had my regular scheduled obgyn apt today and was informed they no longer feel it is safe for me to take birth control pills and they believe I am at risk of a stroke given my symptoms (blood pressure is fine etc). So when going over my options I was basicly told that there really wasnt any other birth control other than condoms that will work for me (reasons for each...some cause too much bleeding and I am anemic etc). I was given the option of going to a neurologist for evaluation and if that doc deemed it safe they would put me back on the birth control pills. So my questions is has anyone ever had to go through the process of going to the neurologist for birth control approval and if so was it worth your time. I really dont want to go the condom route and we are not ready for child #2 yet but I do not want to do anything permanent to rule out future children at my age either.
Some more info- I requested the IUD when she told me due to my history of migranines and the pill she would no longer prescribe them. She said that due to my anemia (i am anemic even on supplements) that she would not suggest that b/c it can cause very heavy periods. The few people i know who have an iud have told me the opposite happen to them...so I am not sure which is most common. They want me to see the neurologist b/c they claim he/she can determine if the migraines and bill combo is dangerous or if they are in fact just migraines due to hormones in which case I could keep taking the pills. She said pill takers with migraines are at a much higher risk of stroke.
I used NuvaRing because the pill also gave me migraines and it really helped!!
You do have a 2nd option other than condoms. You can use Natural Family Planning. It is 99% effective when used correctly. With NFP you take your waking temp and monitor you cirvical mucus to determin when you ovulate. My husband and I have successfully used NFP to both avoid and achieve pregnancy. It seems a bit complicated at first but after you have been using it for a couple of months it really is very easy and just becomes a part of your daily routine. You can even get a download with the charts and I think that they even calculates it for you.
You can go to ccli.org or nfpandmore.org to learn more. Also feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Blessings, K.
I got an IUD at my 6 week check-up after by second was born. I got the copper one that lasts ten years. I plan on having it removed in a few years to have another baby. It doesn't contain any hormones and it has been really great. It was a bit painful to have it inserted and I had a little bleeding and cramping but other than that it has been great! My insurance covered the cost of it.
I also have the copper IUD and I think it's a great option. Did the doctor give you a reson that you can't try that? It's hormone free, and if you decide that you want another baby, they just remove it.
I would second the copper IUD. I don't know if your complications stop you from being able to use an IUD, but it's a great form of birth control that uses no hormones. That was the reason I wanted to get it, I was tired of what hormones did to me. I used different types of pills and after my first daughter I used the Nuvaring and I just didn't like the way they made me feel. I was tired of messing my with body's natural hormones so I tried it out. Inserting it was a little uncomfortable but nothing worse than a bad menstrual cramp and it cramped up for a couple of days afterward. I had a little trouble with spotting the first couple of months and still will slightly spot during ovulation. Otherwise I really like it.. nice not to have to worry about taking a pill everyday and it's nice that I don't have the hormonal things going on in my body. You can remove the IUD at anytime and are fertile from the minute it's taken out unlike anything with hormones that can stay in your body for sometime afterward.
If that doesnt sound right to you you can always think of the Today Sponge. It's back on the market although a little pricey it can be another option. I hope you can find something that works for you.
I can't answer the neurologist question for you, and all of that is out of the realm of my experience or knowledge. I am not understanding why a neurologist would be involved with this, so I can't really help there. But I do know that if you are at risk of stroke and blood clots due to the hormones, an IUD should be ok. Unless there is something else that would prevent you from being able to have one besides the stroke issue. My sister and mother both have a clotting disorder and cannot take any hormones, but the IUD is fine for them. That is the only thing they would consider for them besides condoms or diaphragm. My mom has had numerous blood clots in her legs and my sister has had a pulmonary embolism, and this is the birth control that is recommended for them. My sister has the Mirena (which does have a very low dose of hormones) and after a little initial light bleeding, she has basically stopped her periods altogether.
