M42 F35

Birth Control & The Health Risks

January 20 2014

Birth control is a BIG and important factor in my life for obvious reasons. I am not the maternal type and I do not want children. For me birth control comes above almost anything else in my life. I have recently had some health scares in regards to Blood Clots, Varicose Veins (yes I know I am very young to have them) and years of my own stupidity for sitting on my bed on my lap top (inactivity) for long hours at a time combined with a job where I have to stand on my feet for long hours at a time (not a good combination for for the previously mentioned conditions). All these factors combined with the contraceptive pill, which I am currently on are not a good mix. I have only recently been made aware that all of these things can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Because I have 3 or more risk factors for this I am naturally very worried as DVT can cause parts of the clot to break off and lodge in the heart or lungs which in worse case can lead to death or permanent disability. I have a constant throbbing pain in my left leg, which I have had for some time and it just seems to be getting worse. Last week I went to my doctor who sent me to get an ultrasound to check for blood clots. Luckily the results came back all clear but I still have the pain in my leg and now believe it is connected to the large Varicose Vein behind my left knee. If left untreated long term this can actually cause a blood clot and at the same time the treatment for a Varicose Vein can cause a blood clot. Obviously I am at a road block but the one thing I DO have control over is changing my method of birth control from the Contraceptive Pill, which contains Estrogen, the main link to blood clots. By changing to another form of birth control without Estrogen I can lower my risk of having the above happen. I have done some research and obviously some methods are better and more successful than others. I would love to get sterilised so that I can never have kids but I know the doctors would never allow a young healthy woman this procedure. The next best method I have found seems to be the birth control shot (Depo-Provera). I have been on the contraceptive pill for 7 years and have never stopped taking it in all that time, so I do have a mind set where I have convinced myself that nothing other than the pill is going to protect me from pregnancy. After doing some research on the injection I found it has a higher success rate than the pill if taken every 12 weeks. So I would like to ask the ladies of RHP if any of you currently take the birth control shot as a method of contraception? Has it worked for you? Is it expensive? Does it hurt? (massive needle phobia), Does it have side effects? Is there anything else I need to know about it? Right now I am at a very nervous time in my life in regards to my health. While I did this post to mainly ask if any ladies are on the birth control shot and if they can give me any advice on it, I also explained my story in length so that I could maybe make some of you who are not aware of the contraceptive pills dark side in regards to causing blood clots and DVP, aware. I have always taken my healthy seriously and would rather closely monitor it than put my head in the sand and hope my pains or worries go away on their own even if this stresses me out and causes me to loose sleep over it. I know there has been a lot of news coverage on this subject lately but I was completely ignorant of the risks up until about 6 months ago. I now realised I may have brought this on myself by ignoring the warning signs and adding to the risks via inactivity for long periods. I hope this story has a happy ending and I hope I am stressing over nothing. I have another appointment with my doctor on wed morning to discuss options and get advice. So just to recap as the main point of this post. Are any ladies currently on the birth control shot as a form of contraceptive? Pros & Cons? Costs? Availably? Taby xx

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uneventful

11 years ago

The depo is to be given every 12 weeks..not every 3 months.. Need to increase your calcium intake .. two units of milk products a day minimum as it can Leach the calcium out of the bones with extended useagge .. try taking an adoring a day to prevent clots ... Try the implanon maybe ... - Posted from rhpmobile

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Taby_DK

11 years ago

Quoting 'uneventful'try taking an adoring a day to prevent clots ... Try the implanon maybe ... I've decided against the implant as I have many friends who have fallen pregnant on it or had incidents involving it. I'm not sure what 'try taking an adoring a day to prevent clots' means though? Taby xx

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RHP User

11 years ago

it was from rhpmobile, so maybe an autocorrect on 'aspirin'.

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RHP User

11 years ago

A very good friend of mine WAS had an implant but her periods became extremely heavy and she had to have it removed. that is all I have !

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RHP User

11 years ago

Permanent when 100% successful. High success rate. And a specialist will do it if you request it. Very young to be considering permanent options - just saying.

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Lovinit28andKC72

11 years ago

With both the the mplant and needle..... But in saying that I have heard some very good things about both and some ladies don't have any problems at all..... - Posted from rhpmobile

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uneventful

11 years ago

Yes .. thanks S_OnTheLoose... it was ment to read ASPRIN .. bloody autocorrect on phones .. The implanon is different for each person .. it takes up to 6 months for it to settle .. Depo works well .. just remember the 12 weeks .. or better still 11 week intervals .. NOT 3 months... and the calcium increase .. because more than 12 months usage of Depo .. without an increase in calcium intake can lead to brittle bones ..

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RHP User

11 years ago

Most all casual sex participants would normally think of STI protection not birth control.In all our 30 years of swinging never has a question been posed "will you get me preggers"Every time there is the question of safe sex it's about STI avoidance.Seems to us that to avoid a STI , you will also avoid conception. Fact is, birth control should really be between doctor and patient, otherwise just use a condom and avoid STI's and rugrats totally

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RHP User

11 years ago

Any of the hormonal forms of contraception cause leaching of calcium. The implanon can be easily removed if you get bleeding (the most common side effect) and is is progesterone only. There were a few problems with the insertion device a few years ago which meant that a few people thought they were getting it inserted but the device hadn't fired. This has changed now. The depo is good for people that don't want to feel an implant and will remember to get the injection. Have you thought about a Mirena or copper iud? Mirenas last for 5 years and coppers 10 while still being easily reversible. Sorry for the long spiel hope it helped. - Posted from rhpmobile

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RHP User

11 years ago

I have had a DVT and pulmonary embolisms (the clot broke up and hit my lungs and barely missed my heart) that was put down to a combination of genetics and taking the pill. My doctor informed me that for those that have already had a DVT it is highly suggested not to use the implanon and she suggested the only option open to me was an IUD and in particular mirena. She particularly said not to have the implanon put in if you are still on blood thinners (not that I am any more). I asked about the injection but was informed that it was not an appropriate choice for me as it could cause more clots. Maybe a further discussion with your doctor might be best. At this stage I can't comment on having an iud after blood clots as I am still waiting to have it put in.

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RHP User

11 years ago

i have no problems whatsoever with NOT getting preggers!!! i would hate to go through what you're goin through ms taby- Posted from rhpmobile

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RHP User

11 years ago

i have had many friends have very bad experiences on Depo however many have moved to the Mirena. following this thread as I have a similar risk if taking the pill etc

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RHP User

11 years ago

Does have some side effects. Can cause bleeding. I know because it happened to me. Ablation is marvellous, have also had that. It's permanent though, and you will stop having periods after a time. So if you ever change your mind about having a family........ Yes, you may find it difficult to find a surgeon to do it at your age, but I had a tubal ligation at around 32 and I only had one child. I found someone by going to a women's health clinic. Also a sexual health clinician may be more helpful for you. Hope this helps.

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RHP User

11 years ago

I was on the Depo for about two years when I was 45ish. I had concerns about the pill given my age etc. The shot itself is not painful and the best side effect EVER was that my periods stopped the whole time I was on it! As other posters have said, it's important to be on time or early with each subsequent shot.

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RHP User

11 years ago

I've heard some pretty bad things. Hormones and periods all out of whack. Personally I've got the Mirena, for me, it's the best thing ever. A bit of cramping the day it's put in, but nothing to write home about. Periods are very, very light. Though my best friend didn't get hers for 3 years after getting it inserted. Everyone's experiences with contraception are different. Try them out and see what works best for you :) - Posted from rhpmobile

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Missb4u

11 years ago

I have had a PE from a DVT that luckily, went through my heart and then lodged in my lung. I have a gentic mutation (sounds cool huh) that means I am at a higher risk of clotting then people that don't have this. It's not factor v it's actually factor III. Gives me a 4 fold increased risk. I wouldnt recommend the implant or the injection both gave me serious side effects and my understanding was that they took time to get out of your system if you did have adverse reactions to them. I have the mirena iud and it's been wonderful. Can't recommend it highly enough. Only really light spotting occasionally and with beppy sponges nothing has to ever be postponed now. 😉 And no massive hormone changes. So glad it wasn't a clot for you. - Posted from rhpmobile

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Missb4u

11 years ago

Is this what they think you may have?

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RHP User

11 years ago

I too had health problems from progesterone/oestrogen pill (potential at this stage but scary enough to be avoided). I had implanon for a year and found it unsatisfactory. Now trying an IUD and it seems ok. More details if you want to PM me. Also totally recommend the local family planning services as that's their specialty and they are much cheaper than specialists. Cheers, Jay

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DynamicCouple36

11 years ago

The problems with the pill, injection or an implant that slowly releases a chemical or hormone, is that they disrupt your natural hormonal and other balances / levels. Jason and I have been married for almost 17 years. I was on the pill for 5 years before going off it so that we could start a family. Whilst on the pill there were no adverse physical side effects. After we had our kids, Jason had a Vasectomy and I have remained off the pill for all these years, that is until Feb 2013 when we started "swinging". My main reason, at that stage, was to normalise my period on the one hand, and to also "cheat" its arrival date, so that we could attend Saints & Sinners in March 2013. This was the start of my problems. I have never before had thrush nor any urinary tract infections, but since going on the pill, almost every time after making love, within a few days I either got thrush or a urinary tract infection. I went back and forth the the GP every few weeks for several months last year. He would prescribe antibiotics for the UTI which in turn would then cause thrush, which then had to be treated with another medication. And so it went. Initially we thought that it may have been an allergy to either lubricant or condoms- as obviously with swinging one needs to use these. Eventually I went to a Gynae who informed me that the pill was the cause of all my problems. That in fact it disrupts the delicate PH balance of the vagina making it more prone to bacterial and then also yeast infections. I went off the pill immediately and slowly but surely, things have returned to normal, although it may still be a few more months before I am "out of the woods" as it were. The pill also has more serious long term side effects as does the injection. There are also safety concerns with the "inactive" ingredients of both - some have formalin and others mercury .... and so its best to rather use an IUD or a condom. Just my 2 cents worth.

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gazpacho

11 years ago

This should be in secret women's business. Jeese Tabby! Varicose veins? whoa! Too much information! HugsGazpacho xxx

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RHP User

11 years ago

Quoting 'Traum246' Most all casual sex participants would normally think of STI protection not birth control.In all our 30 years of swinging never has a question been posed "will you get me preggers"Every time there is the question of safe sex it's about STI avoidance.Seems to us that to avoid a STI , you will also avoid conception. Fact is, birth control should really be between doctor and patient, otherwise just use a condom and avoid STI's and rugrats totally ...when discussing birth control options with my doctor she informed me that condoms only work approximately 90% because the way most people use them is incorrect. This means 1 out of every 10 times you use a condom it won't be effective. This is why I'm on birth control even though I always use condoms. Most hormonal birth control is >99% effective, and I'm paranoid.

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RHP User

11 years ago

We are rather spoiled for choice in Australia even though most women don't realise it. I tried the pill once and I was as sick as a dog. I had implanon put in and absolutely LOVED it - for the first two years. Then it started acting hinky. Gynecologist recommended the Mirena and so far it has been great (only had it 4 months). A friend has the injections but didn't like having to go back so often (at least with the pill you can get 5 repeats). Another friend is on her second implanon and still loves it - she hasn't had a period at all since her first was put in. Yet another friend has also tried the Mirena but after near-constant spotting for a couple of months she had it removed. The best thing you can do is speak to a specialist. You can go to the Sexual Health Clinic (FPWA) in Northbridge and they can refer you to King Edward if you need/want to. Or your GP can refer you to a private gynecologist and they should be able to discuss which options are appropriate for you. I would definitely see a specialist first given you've had some negative side effects.

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RHP User

11 years ago

(I'm a doctor) Realistically, you won't find a doc who will tie your tubes or do endometrial ablation, so they're probably out of the question. Every option has benefits and pitfalls. It's the oestrogen that you take by mouth which increases clot risk, so the combined pill is out for you.Other oestrogen+progestogen combined options areThe intra-uterine mirena (4 out of 5 love it, some people can "feel it" in them and hate it. Expect a month or two "break in" time where you can get some cramping or some bleeding, but that's not super common)Or the very unpopular "Nuva Ring". Progestogen only options are:The "mini pill", but kind of need to take it very regularly at the same timeThe depot injection every 12 weeksThese last 3 options can cause annoying break through bleeding that most docs suggest to continue with it for a couple of months, as it usually improves. Tranexamic acid can help with this if it happens. Taking aspirin will make it worse, and since there's no documented benefit to taking aspirin with varicose veins, I wouldn't recommend that. Have a chat with your doc, I'd have a bit of a google search on each of the methods before going in so you're armed with a bit of knowledge. There is no perfect method, hence why there's a bunch of options. Good luck!

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Birth Control & The Health Risks

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