Birth Control and women

sarafil

I have to say, any of you using or considering using the pill, shots, an IUD or any other hormonal device, you need to do some serious research about the side effects.

I am NOT some religious nut who thinks birth control is wrong. I use condoms religiously. I am a medical professional who wants you all to know what your doctor probably won't tell you.

Like, did you know your risk for a blood clot is WAY higher on hormone bc, EVEN if you don't smoke! And a common side effect for all hormonal bs'c, and even non-hormone IUD's are tubal pregnancies, infertility and miscarriage.

Why do doctors usually leave these types of facts out of the discussion? Because the pharmaceutical companies don't give them kick-backs on condoms.

My best advice as a woman and a friend is, stick to condoms!!!!

I'm going to have to disagree with you here. But first, I'd like to know exactly what kind of medical professional you are at only 19 years old?

I have years of experience in womens' health, and my mother is an ob/gyn, so let me give my two cents here.

Yes, occasionally, ectopic (ie "tubal") pregnancies can occur while on birth control. HOWEVER, the instance of that is NO HIGHER than the number of ectopic pregnancies occurring in women who aren't using any form of birth control.

Yes, a few forms of hormonal birth control have been linked to blood clots, HOWEVER, that is relatively rare, and typically occurs in smokers, and people with a family or personal history of high blood pressure and clots. If your usage us monitored by a doctor, the risk is incredibly low.

Infertility has been linked to iuds, but again, it's VERY RARE.

25% of all pregnancies end in natural miscarriage anyway, and birth control does not affect this rate.

Spreading misinformation like you did is dangerous, and can be counted among the reasons that the rate of unintended pregnancy is as high as it is.

Cmonnowguys

I have to say, any of you using or considering using the pill, shots, an IUD or any other hormonal device, you need to do some serious research about the side effects.

I am NOT some religious nut who thinks birth control is wrong. I use condoms religiously. I am a medical professional who wants you all to know what your doctor probably won't tell you.

Like, did you know your risk for a blood clot is WAY higher on hormone bc, EVEN if you don't smoke! And a common side effect for all hormonal bs'c, and even non-hormone IUD's are tubal pregnancies, infertility and miscarriage.

Why do doctors usually leave these types of facts out of the discussion? Because the pharmaceutical companies don't give them kick-backs on condoms.

My best advice as a woman and a friend is, stick to condoms!!!!

I'm going to have to disagree with you here. But first, I'd like to know exactly what kind of medical professional you are at only 19 years old?

I have years of experience in womens' health, and my mother is an ob/gyn, so let me give my two cents here.

Yes, occasionally, ectopic (ie "tubal") pregnancies can occur while on birth control. HOWEVER, the instance of that is NO HIGHER than the number of ectopic pregnancies occurring in women who aren't using any form of birth control.

Yes, a few forms of hormonal birth control have been linked to blood clots, HOWEVER, that is relatively rare, and typically occurs in smokers, and people with a family or personal history of high blood pressure and clots. If your usage us monitored by a doctor, the risk is incredibly low.

Infertility has been linked to iuds, but again, it's VERY RARE.

25% of all pregnancies end in natural miscarriage anyway, and birth control does not affect this rate.

Spreading misinformation like you did is dangerous, and can be counted among the reasons that the rate of unintended pregnancy is as high as it is.

THIS!

Thank you, Sarafil.

msbanana

I've been on birth control for a million years, I have PCOS and a whole host of other issues... In the end if you eat well and exercise you'll be fine. You may need to adjust your diet or exercise but whateve- if you want it get it. Just don't make excuses.

:drinker:

sabyars

I gained 20 on the depo! Just now finally took it off 8 years later Stopped bc all together 2 years ago

TheFunBun

Mmm. I have endometriosis so I have to take BC. Lupron has triple the horrifying side effects and uterine scarring is not an option.

Not only does it KILL my sex drive, (as if it wasn't already bad thanks to pain during sex!) I find that I have to work harder to get/keep the weight off. I wouldn't say I pick up weight, but I spent a year off of birth control several years ago and dropped quite a few lbs the first month, and was eating like a hog because I was happily hungry for once. I find my day to day appetite to be muted on BC.. I think combined with the crazy hormone binging it's a really bad combination for me.

The BC I'm on currently is a lot better as far as mood swing and the binging that comes with it... but I bet if I stopped taking it, the pounds would fly off.

sirihermine

nuvaring = absolutely positively extremely fantastic and amazing

Agreed! It was the only BC that worked for me, and had no side effects on my body! Pills and the arm implant thing just made me gain, spot constantly during the month, and become a crazy hormonal monster

Needless to say I have now found a different BC with no side effects

danielleburwell97060

I have no knowledge of IUD's but I've been on Depo and that can cause some serious weight gain. It stimulates your appetite.

When I finally got insurance again and got to a dr in Jan I was telling her about not having regular periods and she asked if I wanted to go back on the pill and I said no, not if it would cause me a problem losing weight. She said that has been studied 8 ways from Sunday that the pill won't cause weight gain or make it hard to lose. And in fact, if your hormones are all out of whack, going on the pill to regulate your hormones, i.e. forcing your body to do what it should be doing naturally, it can help you lose weight. Same with things like sleeping on a normal schedule can be beneficial too. And I've lost 15 pounds in 6 weeks so with exercise and counting cals I've had no problem losing weight on the pill.