Seasonique Birth Control?

No advice on the smoking with birth control as I do not smoke, but I was taking Seasonique for a year and a half before I got pregnant and didn't have any problems at all. I stopped taking it a week before the wedding, and got pregnant a month later =) Fewer periods is great, however, I had a LOT of intermittent spotting. Sometimes I would spot for 5 days or more at a time. If you take it the same time everyday it helps lower the spotting though. You just have to be really strict about it. If your doctor gave you a prescription, I assume he/she knows you smoke, then it should be okay. Good Luck

Well... I am 40, take birth control, and my husband has also had a vasectomy. I do not smoke and never have, and I have no children of my own. I have two stepchildren. Hubby had his vasectomy before we met and we could not afford a reversal.

I do think you should be really careful considering that you smoke, as it puts you at a much higher risk of complications. Of course, my opinion would be stay on birth control and quit smoking! LOL It would not only be healthier for you, but also healthier for your son.

Anyhow, my best suggestion would be to discuss the best options with your OB/GYN. He/she would be able to recommend the best course for you to take. I am taking Loestrin 24 and rarely do I have a regular period. It is either very light or nonexistent This month is a bit different, as I think the stress I am dealing with has finally gotten to me physically!

Hope this helps!
N.

Hey A.! I used to take birth control pills as well & I do not smoke. I also used to be a pharmacy tech. & one of the largest side effects from taking the pill is a stroke. This risk is increased tremendously if you smoke. It's up to you but I would ask a pharmacist or your doctor to explain in more detail to you. Blood clots are another that you want to look into. I know it's nice to have fewer periods too. They helped get me regulated. I am now giving my body a break from being on them as I was on them for years which also posses a risk. I hope this helps you! :)

My Dr. felt I should have a period every month because of my hereditary risk of uterine cancer. You definitely need to take into consideration your family history. So, I went on pills to have a period. I don't know if the thinking has changed. It seems to me that they say these things are okay, then years later they find that the natural way was best after all. The smoking definitely alters the equation against you in this regard.

Hi A.~

Not sure I have much advice about birth control as I cannot take it. I did take Seasonal (Seasonique must be the updated version, but not sure!) about 3.5 years ago and after 9 months of taking it I had to stop. My vision was affected along with having major migraines and other problems. Since then I have concluded I cannot take any type of bc pill b/c over time the estrogen level builds up in my system and is too much for my body to handle thus resulting in various awful side effects.

BUT...you were on the copper IUD. I'm not sure if you are completely unable to have any IUD's, but I currently have the Mirena IUD in and I LOVE IT!!!! It lasts 5 years and all the bc hormones are right on the IUD and it is only released within the Uterus and isn't released into the blood stream, which results in me not having any side effects. This is the second time I have had it. I had it for a year and a half before my husband and I decided to have our third child (and it is easily removed during a regular office visit - as well as inserted this way) My second time I had it put in at my 6 week check up following the birth. I have had absolutely no complications with it. Some spotting the first month, but have not had a period since it was inserted-almost 3 months. This might be something to look into. It is costly and you should see how it is covered on your insurance. Talk to the doctors office about a procedure code and such and then call your insurance rep and find out how much you will have to pay. In both instances for me I was lucky b/c my copays were already met for the year so it didn't cost me a penny.

As for the smoking with bc - I don't smoke so I can't give any advice, but I have heard of the possible effects of smoking while on the pill. That is a choice you have to make.

I hope this helps and good luck!!!!

I am not sure about the risks of smoking with this certain pill, but I used to babysit for a little boy whose Mom had a major heart attack at the age of 28. She was perfectly healthy, but she smoked and took the pill. Just wanted to let you know that there could be serious concequences even though I am sure they are rare. I don't think that not having a period will cause you complications.

I am by no means a birth colntrol expert, but I would be careful. My college room mate always skipped her period for three months at a time. She would skip the sugar pill week of her pills and start right up with the next months pack. This is a little different than your story, I know, but eventually she did run into some problems. Taking Seasonique may give you a totally different outcome than self regulating periods, however, she ended up with a tumor on her liver that they have linked to taking birth control pills! She is a very healthy, ironman triathlete who wound up with this problem. I would just be careful about smoking and taking pills. You don't want to run into any health risks like she did.

IMO-- I totally agree with your mother. These pills are a hormone you are putting in your body. Both my mom and mother-in-law got cancer from taking HRT, which I feel is not much different than what happens to your body on the pill. I would never want to take the pill even for birth control, let alone to control periods (and I have horrible ones). And, if you smoke your chances of a stroke and heart attack caused from the pill are high! Not worth it in my opinion!

well i hate to be negative, but some one just sent me an e-mail this week about a young-ish women on that pill that died from a blood clot in her brain. and i was asking one of my girlfriends (who's a nurse) about it and she said that's not too rare even in younger women.

I don't know about the smoking factor because I don't smoke but I take it for hte same reasons (only 4 periods a year) and I LOVE it. The first few months produce a little spotting but after a few months it is great and I have been taking it for 3 years. I have not had any complications from only 4 peiods and they are only about 5 days long. Talk to your doctor about the smoking risk.

I am on Yaz which for me keeps me from having a period at all. I have talked numerous times with my Doc and she has assured me that there is absolutely no reason that a woman needs to have a period every month. If there is no lining build up you don't need to shed it. that is why although i take the placebo pills my body doesn't have a period. I was a smoker for several years and took BC. I never had a problem, but It should not be done if you can avoid it. Also if you have three kids it might be worth trying to quit. believe me i know it's not easy I have quit and restarted three times in the past, but do it for you and your kids.

From what I have read, having fewer cycles will not harm you. The birth control pill simulates pregnancy in the body, and the periods you do have while on them are artificially induced anyway. So, from that angle taking the pill is not a big risk. However, the fact that you smoke is a huge risk while taking any birth control pill. So just use this as motivation to put that habit aside.

Hi A.,

My name is A.. I am 53 yrs old. When I was in my 20's I too had an IUD, and I had it for many years, until I got Pelvic Imflamatory Disease. Then I got it taken out and never took birth control again. I have no children as it just wasn't for me.
About your situation...when I first heard about these birth control pills my 1st reaction was & still is; Not to Mess With Mother Nature!!! I truly believe in that! It's just not natural! Not Normal!
And, as for your smoking while taking birth control, even tho' you did it when you we're younger, keep in mind that you WE'RE younger! Again, I wouldn't take the pill if I smoked. I just wouldn't!!! Even tho' you say that other women do it, well....what if you are the one out of many that have complications from it????

Well, that's my opinion. I don't know if I've helped or not, but I felt like answering. All My Best, A. K.

Dear A.:

Personally, any type of artificial birth control is unhealthy for your body ~ and your mind for that matter. Look at your experience with the IUD ... and what's to say this Seasonique will not have horrible side-effects also? It hasn't been around long enough for long-term study and do you want to be their guina pig? Please A., take care of your body and listen to your Mom too ~ she's a very wise woman. Experience speaks volumes. Of course you know that smoking is not healthy but you can overcome anything if you put your mind to
it and hey enlist God's help too! He's just waiting for you to ask. Last but not least, think of your little 3 yr old son. He needs his Mom desperately.

Hope this helps your decision. You will be in my thoughts and prayers to know what is right for you and your family.

M.

Hi A., I have heard some really bad things about the Seasonique. I do know that you don't have to have a period every month. My friend was on Seasonique for her heavy periods. She ended up getting a Hystorectmy. She is doing great. I also know how bad it is to be on BC while smoking. It can cause blood clots. But I am sure the Dr. had told you that. So I would preach on how bad smoking is for you. (I used to smoke before I had kids) I am on Yas birth control pills and love them. I bearly have a period. Maybe alittle spotting. I hope this has helped you out a little. Good Luck Jackie

This is just my opinion so take it for what it's worth. I'm not going to comment on the smoking bit of it but I do agree with your mom that you are supposed to have monthly periods. It's our bodies way of cleansing our system. If we don't have this cleansing process than I believe that in the future there could be long term risks that no one knows about since this is relatively a new birth control. Also, keep in mind that just because a birth control will initially do it's job and prevent you from having periods, your body may still react and you may have break thru bleeding. I know that this happens because I used to work in an OB-GYN office and several of my coworkers went on this birth control when it was first offered and after a couple of months they complained about break thru bleeding. I personally think this is their body trying to tell them something. Again, this is just my opinion. I too hate my periods just the next woman but I know it's there for a reason. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Hi A.:

Check out Novasure - it is a simple surgical procedure (uterine ablasion) and it will eliminate or significantly reduce your periods. I was having the same problems with very heavy periods and since I have a situation with my liver, I HAD to go off birth control. My dr said that I was a good candidate for the procedure and I had it done in December. I have had two periods since (which the dr said could happen) and they were significantly less. It is an out patient procedure and you have some cramping the same day, but the next day I went back to work.

I suggest checking it out or talk to your dr about it. I believe the website is www.novasure.com - check it out for more information.

Good luck!

I have an aunt who did seasonique and loved it and had no other problems. With you being a smoker, it does put you at a higher risk for complications such as blood clots, etc. I will skip the try and stop smoking advice :-); and suggest you talk to you doctor - if you are trying to control your periods, maybe another lighter hormone pill may help and put you at less risk?? My husband got a vasectomy so I stopped taking the pill and my periods have been HORRIBLE since! Good luck with your decision.

Using BCP to control your cycle is fine and your mother sorry to say is wrong. Women do not need to have a period every month. The one thing that raised the red flag for me was the smokeing. That is a big contradiction with BCP, however you are young and I assume your physician knows you smoke. I feel as long as you are honest with your physician and are happy with the results of the pill you go girl.

Good luck

A.
I am a nurse and I work on a cardiac floor. I just want to say that I have seen women with blood clots due to smoking while on the pill. It is dangerous and gets worse if you are over 35. Just because everyone else does it doesnt make it right. It is just a little tid bit for your health. I would choose one or the other....Just trying to protect you and help you be educated.
T.

A. be REAL careful! If you smoke and take birth control that can cause blood clots in your lungs and cause heart problems more quickly.

I know that the birth control pills like this do wacky things to you. I had been taking the Depo Prevara shot for several years, and my weight went through the roof, so I went off that, but still liked having NO periods - and thought I could deal with 4 a year so I started taking Seasonale which is what you're talking about. It caused my heart to race and I just felt really uneasy about it.

When I talked to my Ob/Gyn, he said there are other methods, including a hysterectomy (yeah its extreme - but not other health risks).

The thought of a woman NEEDING to have a period is basically an old wives tale. My mom told me that too - and again my ob/gyn discounted that.

Just be careful with the smoking and taking birth control - it really truly is very dangerous.

I will just tell you my experience. I took the patch about 4 years ago and started getting MAJOR migrains. Within hours of removing the patch, my migraine went away. I later read that there is an increase in blood clots with the patch, twice that of the pill. So, I have been off of any hormonal birth control since then and I feel great. I don't love my periods, but I can usually control pain with OTC medication (Aleve is really good) and a hot pad. I don't know. I think there is a lot going on with those pills that we don't always know how our bodies will react. Periods suck, but they are over quick. I just got very scared myself and now we use other means of protection. If my husband had a vasectomy, then we wouldn't use anything at all. Good luck. No judgments about smoking, although I would definatley think about it and the high risk of blood clots. Take care.

I don't know too much about seasonique. But I do know that my doctor said that it is not mandatory for a woman to have a period every month. I used to get that shot (depo vera) I was on it for 2 years and never had a period. (that was about 7 years ago) My husband has had a vasectomy and I do not wish to be on the pills. I would LOVE to only have 4 periods a year!!!!!!!!! Consider yourself blessed LOL! I smoke as well (outside never in the house) too and that is another reason I am glad that I don't have to take any birth control. (although it would make more sense to just quit to some people it just isn't that easy).
V.
A little about me:
I am a 34 yr old sahm with a 17, 15 and a 2 year old.

I heard that there are rather sever complications with a seasonal period. I think that your mom is right. You need to have a period every month, even though they are a total pain to deal with. Your body will be healthier because of it.

A.,
I agree with your mother, the birth control pills do cause alot of problems, and IUD's do also. Nothing is a 100% but I would do some research into what would be best for you.
K.

OK-first-I had a friend who at 27 years old had a serious heart attack-why? She smoked and was on the pill! Second-I agree with your mother-I think it is not healthy to control nature with chemicals. I am shocked your healthcare provider gave you this prescription if he knows you smoke-it is not worth the risk. Just my 2 cents.

I am on Seasonal and I'm not having any more children. I am not taking to prevent pregnancy, but to only have 4 periods a year. I think it is completley safe. Women have been taking BC for years and there are some who have always skipped the placibo pills to not have a period. There is also a new pill being released that you won't have a period at all.
I don't smoke, so I can't comment on that factor...
But for convenience I love being on it. I did have a freind on it who got break through bleeding every month around the time whe was suppose to have her period anyhow and even after being on it a year, still break through bleeding, so she went off of it. I am one of the lucky ones, no break through bleeding at all, and when the month comes that I am suppose to get my period, it usually only lasts 2 days and it's very very light.
So this is just my opinion, I would ask your doctor and go with what they say. If the smoking is a big factor, I guess it depends on what you want more, a smoke or 4 periods a year :) (I'm an ex smoker, so I know that will be a tough one!!)
Good Luck!
J. in Macomb

I had a friend you used this birth control and ended up bleeding all the time so I think that it will depend on your body as to whether or not you only get 4 periods. Also, in my opinion I wouldn't take it if I didn't have to. Why put your body through the artificial hormones when you don't have to plus smoking and pills up your risk of stroke and heart attack though they do warn for that mostly for people over 35. The ultimate decision is your and you need to do what's best for you. Good luck with you decision :)

One simple answer: stop smoking. You have a young son and run a day care. you need to quit. if not for you, then for them. You are correct. You are an adult and you have the right to make that choice. A., look at the big picture. If you choose to smoke, then you are choosing to shorten you life span, and that's not fair to your son. Something to think about.

I'm sorry but I would have to agree with your mom. Taking a pill that is all kinds of chemicals to stop something that our body is supposed to do naturally seems strange to me. I would look at it this way. The whole smoking thing is all so a very good point. You want to be here for your son right, and since I don't know your complications, could you have some with this too, or where they only to the device itself. Just a thought but your health is worth more that undesirable periods.
Have a good day.

You have nothing to worry about taking that sort of pill. I get the depo shot every three months so that I don't have a period at all. As far as your mother, she comes from a generation that believes that your body has to cleanse itself regularly through periods. But the doctors and nurses will not steer you wrong. Just make sure that you watch any symptoms to make sure you are using the best form of birth control for you! And good luck!

Women do not NEED to have a period every month. Doctors say that the 4 times a year is fine. I went for a year because I chose to do so, due to the extreme migranes I get during that time of my cycle. Its never good to smoke when you are the pill because of blood clotting complications, but yes, lots of people, including myself have done it. You are more at risk if you are over 35 and smoke. I hope that helps you some, and talk it over with your gyno. . . they know better than I do, I'm only studying to be an OB/GYN assistant.