Birth Control Pills over the age of 40?
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Christine_72 wrote: »This thread is making me reconsider taking birth control. I was just so shocked by my symptoms when I came off it in my late 20s (health insurance ran out), I've been nervous to try again. I was in so much pain when I ovulated, and it's been painful ever since.
I never had pms/ovulation symptoms while i was on the pill. But i'm off the pill now, and still don't get any warning signs when my periods are coming. So whether I'm just lucky, or all of those years on the pill changed something, who knows??
I just feel like i'm the odd (lucky) one out, when i continuously read about women having cravings, being in pain, lethargic etc etc. I have never experienced any of those things. I might get a bit peckish a day or two before they arrive, but i think that's more of a mental thing.. Because i only noticed this happening after i came on here and read about other women experiencing the munchies.
My mom is like that. She never understood what I was going through though she did pull me out of school once in early high school because my cramps got so bad I could barely walk. I am also very aware of my body. I feel myself ovulate. There are also physical signs that seem like should be obvious for all women.
This month my cramps were so bad I was awake from 3 am to the time I left for work. Screaming in agony while lying at the bottom of the shower. At one point I was lying on my hardwood living room floor just yelling "why?? why?? why??"
So yeah, you're lucky.
You poor thing, I'm so sorry! I had really awful cramps in my 20s and my cycle was completely unpredictable. Which is why I went on the pill. When I came off it I was scared that all that would come back but it hasnt. Actually my PMS now is that my digestive system gets wonky for a couple of days.
Anyway, I hope it eases off for you at some point. I used to take double doses of Advil to take the edge off of it for a day and a half, I'm sure you've tried everything I did at the time and then some.
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Christine_72 wrote: »This thread is making me reconsider taking birth control. I was just so shocked by my symptoms when I came off it in my late 20s (health insurance ran out), I've been nervous to try again. I was in so much pain when I ovulated, and it's been painful ever since.
I never had pms/ovulation symptoms while i was on the pill. But i'm off the pill now, and still don't get any warning signs when my periods are coming. So whether I'm just lucky, or all of those years on the pill changed something, who knows??
I just feel like i'm the odd (lucky) one out, when i continuously read about women having cravings, being in pain, lethargic etc etc. I have never experienced any of those things. I might get a bit peckish a day or two before they arrive, but i think that's more of a mental thing.. Because i only noticed this happening after i came on here and read about other women experiencing the munchies.
My mom is like that. She never understood what I was going through though she did pull me out of school once in early high school because my cramps got so bad I could barely walk. I am also very aware of my body. I feel myself ovulate. There are also physical signs that seem like should be obvious for all women.
This month my cramps were so bad I was awake from 3 am to the time I left for work. Screaming in agony while lying at the bottom of the shower. At one point I was lying on my hardwood living room floor just yelling "why?? why?? why??"
So yeah, you're lucky.
You poor thing, I'm so sorry! I had really awful cramps in my 20s and my cycle was completely unpredictable. Which is why I went on the pill. When I came off it I was scared that all that would come back but it hasnt. Actually my PMS now is that my digestive system gets wonky for a couple of days.
Anyway, I hope it eases off for you at some point. I used to take double doses of Advil to take the edge off of it for a day and a half, I'm sure you've tried everything I did at the time and then some.
It's okay. It's all weird now because I lost my period for a few months and now it's averaging out again. It was worse when I was overweight but now I don't know what's going on. They haven't been this bad since I was fat/younger. I also experience WILD mood swings. This month I threw my hair dryer at my wall, called a woman on the subway a *kitten* *kitten*, and threw money down at a bodega man after cutting a woman in line. Like...not even acceptable behavior.
lol at a double dose of advil. I took 2 prescription strength motrins (which you're not supposed to take), and I was still in agony.0 -
I had really bad cramps before I started birth control and before I had kids. since then I get cramps but they arent bad enough to need to take anything for them and exercise helps too.@bbell1985,if you are having those issues you may want to have your dr check your hormone levels. could be PMDD or something like that causing those hormonal issues.also if you are doing a lot of exercise,or have low percentage of body fat that can interrupt periods too. many things can cause that. its best to see a dr to rule things out.0
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I was 46 and was looking for some relief from menopause issues. Not a single risk factor other than my age. 6 months later I had a DVT - blood clot- in my leg. Blood clots are a potential side effect but I never thought it could happen to me and didn't really understand what it could mean. Not to be overly dramatic, but I could have died and that clot has never resolved. My life is very different now.
So, OP, I don't want to scare you and everyone has a different experience. I just want to recommend that you consider all the risks. This is definitely between you and your doctor. Best wishes.
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CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I had really bad cramps before I started birth control and before I had kids. since then I get cramps but they arent bad enough to need to take anything for them and exercise helps too.@bbell1985,if you are having those issues you may want to have your dr check your hormone levels. could be PMDD or something like that causing those hormonal issues.also if you are doing a lot of exercise,or have low percentage of body fat that can interrupt periods too. many things can cause that. its best to see a dr to rule things out.
Yeah! I have had ultrasounds and everything looks "fine". They can see that I get a little cysty but nothing to worry about. I'm really interested in having my hormonal levels checked but I don't know what to "ask for" if you know what i mean. My body fat is pretty high right now. Like 27% so I think I'm good there.0 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I had really bad cramps before I started birth control and before I had kids. since then I get cramps but they arent bad enough to need to take anything for them and exercise helps too.@bbell1985,if you are having those issues you may want to have your dr check your hormone levels. could be PMDD or something like that causing those hormonal issues.also if you are doing a lot of exercise,or have low percentage of body fat that can interrupt periods too. many things can cause that. its best to see a dr to rule things out.
Yeah! I have had ultrasounds and everything looks "fine". They can see that I get a little cysty but nothing to worry about. I'm really interested in having my hormonal levels checked but I don't know what to "ask for" if you know what i mean. My body fat is pretty high right now. Like 27% so I think I'm good there.
ask them to run a blood panel to check all hormone levels. tell them your issues you are having. you might want to see a gynocologist(if you dont already). but any family dr can run a test to see where hormone levels are. my family dr has run these tests a few times on me and with my BC pills all my hormone levels are normal. I have the cyst issues too and sometimes they can bring me to my knees. its gotten better though thankfully.
how do you gauge your body fat levels? because you dont look like you are 27% fat in most of your pics you look a LOT lower than that to be honest.
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CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I had really bad cramps before I started birth control and before I had kids. since then I get cramps but they arent bad enough to need to take anything for them and exercise helps too.@bbell1985,if you are having those issues you may want to have your dr check your hormone levels. could be PMDD or something like that causing those hormonal issues.also if you are doing a lot of exercise,or have low percentage of body fat that can interrupt periods too. many things can cause that. its best to see a dr to rule things out.
Yeah! I have had ultrasounds and everything looks "fine". They can see that I get a little cysty but nothing to worry about. I'm really interested in having my hormonal levels checked but I don't know what to "ask for" if you know what i mean. My body fat is pretty high right now. Like 27% so I think I'm good there.
ask them to run a blood panel to check all hormone levels. tell them your issues you are having. you might want to see a gynocologist(if you dont already). but any family dr can run a test to see where hormone levels are. my family dr has run these tests a few times on me and with my BC pills all my hormone levels are normal. I have the cyst issues too and sometimes they can bring me to my knees. its gotten better though thankfully.
how do you gauge your body fat levels? because you dont look like you are 27% fat in most of your pics you look a LOT lower than that to be honest.
Okay thanks. I go to a nurse practitioner but should probably find a legit ob/gyn. She already knows my issues but thinks it's nothing.
I pick the most flattering pictures during my leanest time of month, and flex. lol. Straight up, not posed, I'm pretty fluffy. Maybe more like 25%0 -
Sorry if I derailed this. I already have my own old thread going for all my issues lol. Back to birth control after 40.0
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CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I had really bad cramps before I started birth control and before I had kids. since then I get cramps but they arent bad enough to need to take anything for them and exercise helps too.@bbell1985,if you are having those issues you may want to have your dr check your hormone levels. could be PMDD or something like that causing those hormonal issues.also if you are doing a lot of exercise,or have low percentage of body fat that can interrupt periods too. many things can cause that. its best to see a dr to rule things out.
Yeah! I have had ultrasounds and everything looks "fine". They can see that I get a little cysty but nothing to worry about. I'm really interested in having my hormonal levels checked but I don't know what to "ask for" if you know what i mean. My body fat is pretty high right now. Like 27% so I think I'm good there.
ask them to run a blood panel to check all hormone levels. tell them your issues you are having. you might want to see a gynocologist(if you dont already). but any family dr can run a test to see where hormone levels are. my family dr has run these tests a few times on me and with my BC pills all my hormone levels are normal. I have the cyst issues too and sometimes they can bring me to my knees. its gotten better though thankfully.
how do you gauge your body fat levels? because you dont look like you are 27% fat in most of your pics you look a LOT lower than that to be honest.
Okay thanks. I go to a nurse practitioner but should probably find a legit ob/gyn. She already knows my issues but thinks it's nothing.
I pick the most flattering pictures during my leanest time of month, and flex. lol. Straight up, not posed, I'm pretty fluffy. Maybe more like 25%
yeah if your NP thinks its nothing I would see an ob/gyn.then if your hormone levels are fine then it has to be something else making you feel like that.0 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »I had really bad cramps before I started birth control and before I had kids. since then I get cramps but they arent bad enough to need to take anything for them and exercise helps too.@bbell1985,if you are having those issues you may want to have your dr check your hormone levels. could be PMDD or something like that causing those hormonal issues.also if you are doing a lot of exercise,or have low percentage of body fat that can interrupt periods too. many things can cause that. its best to see a dr to rule things out.
Yeah! I have had ultrasounds and everything looks "fine". They can see that I get a little cysty but nothing to worry about. I'm really interested in having my hormonal levels checked but I don't know what to "ask for" if you know what i mean. My body fat is pretty high right now. Like 27% so I think I'm good there.
ask them to run a blood panel to check all hormone levels. tell them your issues you are having. you might want to see a gynocologist(if you dont already). but any family dr can run a test to see where hormone levels are. my family dr has run these tests a few times on me and with my BC pills all my hormone levels are normal. I have the cyst issues too and sometimes they can bring me to my knees. its gotten better though thankfully.
how do you gauge your body fat levels? because you dont look like you are 27% fat in most of your pics you look a LOT lower than that to be honest.
Okay thanks. I go to a nurse practitioner but should probably find a legit ob/gyn. She already knows my issues but thinks it's nothing.
I pick the most flattering pictures during my leanest time of month, and flex. lol. Straight up, not posed, I'm pretty fluffy. Maybe more like 25%
yeah if your NP thinks its nothing I would see an ob/gyn.then if your hormone levels are fine then it has to be something else making you feel like that.
Yeah I think this is what it comes down to. Going to look for a doc/appointment now.0 -
Took them for 3 decades, excluding several years to have my 2 children. No problems and having lighter periods was a wonderful side effect. I had no risk factors.0
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Would an IUD be an option? No more periods, yay!2
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I was on BC for about 10 years and stopped because I wasn't sexually active. I saw what being on the pill did to my body after and didn't want to go back to taking something that changed my body's natural cycle. I current use a diaphragm which has worked out great for me. I'm also practicing TCYF (taking charge of your fertility book) and looking at understanding my body and it's been amazing! I'll never go back to taking meds or try inplantations.0
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I'm 38, been on them since 16, and I have no plans of ending them until my "time" comes. Never had issues, and I'll be on them until I have issues. My gyno says it's safe and better than having an unexpected pregnacy at my age.0
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indigoblue9572 wrote: »I got a tubal ligation done 16 yrs ago. Best decision I ever could've made!
Same here! If you are not planning to have children I'd suggest discussing tubal ligation with your GYN.0 -
I debated getting an IUD but I heard horror stories about that too so I'm not on any bc but I'm fortunate that my bf is totally shut down.0
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I have a paraguard IUD. It is a copper IUD, so no jormones0
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raquele3394 wrote: »I have a paraguard IUD. It is a copper IUD, so no jormones
I have a hormonal IUD and was told that I would not need it changed in 5 years when the hormones run out - I was 46 when I had this one put in
I have found this thread very interesting0 -
There is so much I want to say but can't, for frustration at being treated as someone who does not have a brain by our health service. UK. Testing ones natural hormone levels is not done often or in depth enough. The pills actions over-ride our natural hormone levels/functions. If you are left unscathed you are fortunate.1
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TrinityR05 wrote: »Thanks for all the replies. I wouldn't necessarily be taking them to prevent pregnancy. It would be mainly to ease my symptoms of monthly cramps as I cannot take any anti-inflammatory meds.
For those of you 40 years of age and older, what brand birth control pill are you on?
I am well over 40, had to stop taking BC becat 36 because I smoked.
Doctor gave me a Mirena. I'm on my second one (they last for 5 years) and I haven't had a period in 10 years.
If you are looking at BCPs for cramps, I'd ask your doctor about the Mirena and just remove the monthly period from the equation all together**
** not all women stop getting periods, but most do, or get a day a or two of spotting.0 -
I was advised not to take them after age 35 but there were risk factors
The most frequent I heard were risk of blood clot and stroke. Especially if a current or past smoker.
I went with the permanent version: endometrial ablation and tubal ligation. No more periods! Woo-hoo me! Eight years of freedom and no pms!
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I'm 20 and worry about taking this pill! Any alternatives that are good for someone who is squeamish?!0
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jadewats733 wrote: »I'm 20 and worry about taking this pill! Any alternatives that are good for someone who is squeamish?!
There's really nothing to be squeamish about. Millions of women have taken the pill and found it to be the best option. And the beauty of it is if you do develop any side effects, you can just stop taking it. Sometimes you have to try a couple of different types to find the one that agrees with you. I was on the pill for 15 years and my doctor had to convince me to stop because of my age combined with my history of migraines. And it was way less scary than my crazy cycle or an unplanned pregnancy!
What about it worries you? Do you just need BC or are there some other issues you are considering it for?1 -
Christine_72 wrote: »I'm 45 and took the pill from age 17 AND smoked the whole time up until 2 years ago, when my husband finaaaalllly had a vasectomy. I didn't experience any negative side effects, but like all things, it's the luck of the draw.
There are many other birth control methods other than the pill, do they all cause possible complications after the age of 40, or is it just the pill?
My doctor wanted me off the pill once I hit 40 because I get migraines. She suggested mirena because the hormones stay localized rather than circulating throughout the whole body so the risk is lessened. I decided to go without for the time being. I think I heard that progestin only methods are safer as well, but don't quote me on that! I guess it's the estrogen that increases the stroke risk, and that seems to be magnified for women who smoke, get migraines, and or are over a certain age.
I actually started getting the Depo shot in order to control my hormonal migraines. I'm 40 now, and my OB/GYN said she's fine keeping me on it even into my 50's.0 -
TrinityR05 wrote: »Thanks for all the replies. I wouldn't necessarily be taking them to prevent pregnancy. It would be mainly to ease my symptoms of monthly cramps as I cannot take any anti-inflammatory meds.
For those of you 40 years of age and older, what brand birth control pill are you on?
Oh, if it's not to prevent pregnancy, you could discuss Prometrium, which is a natural progesterone, with your GYN. I didn't like the pill, and I didn't like synthetic progesterone, but I have no negative side effects with Prometrium. (I didn't take this for cramps, but for other menstrual irregularities.)0 -
When I was in my late 20s, I developed a type of migraine which increases the risk of stroke while taking the pill, so I switched to a Mirena (hormonal IUD). I haven't had a period since then, and I'm on my second Mirena now. Getting either IUD inserted was not fun, but I'm really glad I did it. It might be an option for your symptoms.0
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My GP switched me from a normal pill to a mini pill (progestogen-only) prescription when I hit 40. Since it's something I take for management of my cycle vs birthcontrol I wish I'd changed sooner - I'm much more comfortable each month. I'm reasonably sure that the government guidelines mandate a change due to rick factors increasing with age.0
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If the IUDs bother you, but you like the concept, you could try the implant (nexplanon is what I have). I just got it placed as my post partum birth control. It goes under the skin in your arm.
Is more effective than BCP and can stop your periods just like an IUD. Doesn't have the same risk of embedding in the uterine wall or falling out from improper placement.0 -
I wanted tubal ligation and was persuaded that the Mirena was a better choice as a less intrusive procedure and that I'd have no periods. I was told it was "safe".
It wasn't. It was just awful. The actual fitting was fine, a bit uncomfortable but ok. I bled the whole time I had the stupid thing. It also triggered a lot of problems, including a major flare of my auto-immune condition which, nine months later, my consultant is still trying to get back under control.
I also had lots of other problems, including terrible pain with all my joints and muscles, exhaustion, weakness, poor memory/foggy thinking, night sweats, intolerant to temperature changes and strong smells (perfume etc), tingling hands, headaches, generalised pain, dry mouth/eyes, skin problems, sleep disorders, tinnitus, eating problems (mainly not wanting to eat). I was intolerant of medicines. I was also depressed and seriously contemplating suicide - to a point of actually planning it.
My mother pointed out to me that the problems I was experiencing all started within a couple of weeks of having the Mirena fitted. Once I realised that she was right, I researched my symptoms and found that they were due to the Mirena (silicone poisoning) and I removed it immediately, three months after it was fitted.
My doctor also said that it couldn't possibly be due to the Mirena. However, most of my symptoms stopped with the removal of it. I felt better almost instantly from many of the symptoms although the auto-immune issue continues to be a bit problematic. Interestingly enough, my auto-immune consultant said that they were aware that the Mirena can cause issues but cannot advise women of this as there's no supporting evidence-based research.
I'm still having problems apart from the auto-immune flare; I'm still hyper-sensitive to smells (perfume, shampoo, cigarettes etc), I have a constant dry mouth and eyes, intolerance to and exacerbated side effects of medication. But I'm in a better place than I was six months ago when I removed it.
I would urge anyone considering having the Mirena fitted to do their research very carefully - there are thousands of women complaining about it and although i realise that it's all anecdoctal and not researched in the scientific sense, it means something.
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brookielaw wrote: »Would an IUD be an option? No more periods, yay!
Lucky you. I had an IUD for about a year and a half and my periods got so much worse. Had it taken out after twice having a three week bleeding period in my cycle.0
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