Please humor me once more

Kimenem

Kimenem

Cathlete
I've been looking back at old threads re: birth control pills and am STILL trying to decide if I should stop taking them. Well, let me take that back....I feel like I SHOULD stop them. However, I still need something for protection and I think I want Mirena. My concern first and foremost is hair loss after coming off the pill. I'm worried that it will be bad since I've been on them for 16 years. Next, Mirena does have low dose hormones correct? Would that be like going from one bad thing to another? It seems like I read the hormones don't affect the body like the pill does; possibly staying localized. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm just afraid if I shed again I may not recover.
 
Well nevermind. I just looked at the Mirena site and it said it's not for women who have benign liver tumors. GREAT. So obviously non-hormonal options are my only choice. Are there any non-hormonal IUD's? I'm still worried about coming off the pill though.
 
Ugh -- I went off the pill for a year and it got UGLY. I thought I'd eventually feel better with my natural hormones and everything, and I was WRONG WRONG WRONG.

Is there a special reason you want to get off the pill? I eventually just tried a new pill and I've been fine ever since. I like having clearer skin and a sane brain and no cramps and lighter periods and not getting pregnant.
 
Kim - we are so much alike. I just went off the pill 2 weeks ago. I am forever going off and on. For a while, I need to be on it to feel right and then I get irritable, my hair actually started falling out on it, I just feel not-so-great, and get depressed, and sort of bloated. I went off and feel so much better. Then my face will start to break out, I'll have to wash my hair every 24 hours at the very most (on the pill, I'm good for 2 days), ovulation will be incredibly painful and I'll get bloated during that time, and before I know it, I'll probably be back on. For whatever reasons, I feel like I need a break now and again. Of course, every time I go off, I hope that these things won't happen. DH is "fixed" so that isn't an issue. Good luck to you, whatever you do. As for me, my abs have come back out for a visit and I love seeing them again :D
 
Well, I want to go off because I feel like 16 yrs of non-natural hormones are enough. I do have a benign liver tumor, though very small (they say it's benign but sometimes my hypochondria gets it's way). They said I could've been born with it and will never know but if it started while on the pill, I defnitely don't want it to get bigger. I have an ultrasound on the 23rd to see if it's grown since I found out about it in July. If it hasn't, I'll feel SLIGHTLY better about continuing the pill until I can get a tubal. HOWEVER, there is still the hair issue. I can live with the long, irregular periods and cramps. I JUST WANT MY HAIR!!!! :mad:
 
Kimenem said:
Well nevermind. I just looked at the Mirena site and it said it's not for women who have benign liver tumors. GREAT. So obviously non-hormonal options are my only choice. Are there any non-hormonal IUD's? I'm still worried about coming off the pill though.
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The Paragaurd IUD is non-hormonal. It's good for 10 years. I've had mine for 6 or 7 years now, and no babies, so it must be working. My 1st couple cycles after were heavier and I had some cramps in my back (I never had cramps before) but things have been basically normal since then. I still get back cramps every few cycles, but its better than the pill (tried a few kinds all gave me headaches) and pretty much no troubles. Also, nothing to remember. DH says he used to be able to feel the string (TMI???) but now he doesn't even notice it. I asked the Dr why its only good for 10 yrs if there is no hormones, and he just said its bc after that removal gets more difficult. Side effects - poss infection on insertion, poss falling out after insertion (for a few weeks after), hard/surgical removal, etoptic pregnancies, babies - eeek!!!
Just remember, nothing is 100% effective or safe, but for me, this is the best choice, and works well. Ask your GYN.

Nan
 
I used to have periods that were heavy the first few days and 7 days long. Cramps the first day at least were BAD. However, that was before Advil :D I'm wondering if this might be a good solution. What about cost?
 
I struggle with this same issues all the time. I am in college so a child is not an option right now. I did some research on the pill and it is kind of mixed. I feel like it would be better for me to not be on it but I actually feel better when I am on it. When I am off it my cycles are really irregular and my skin does not look as good. Also I am on a budget and a generic version of the pill is the only thing my insurance will cover. I am currently off the pill but probably will go back on just because I like having that peace of mind. Making decisions about birth control is hard.

To answer your question about cost with an IUD it can be up to 500 dollars depending on what your insurance will cover (mine would not cover any). It is the cheapest option long term if you use it for a number of years but it is kind of expensive up front.
 
Yes. He says the pill is safe even as women get older, as long as you don't smoke or have any other risk factors. The thing is, I don't know if the hormones affect this hemangioma and he acted as if he weren't sure either. Like I said earlier, I'll know in a few weeks and that will either force me to stop or buy me a little more time.
 
Kim,

I am just going to share with you my experience with BCP. This is entirely anecdotal and not medical advice. When I was pregant with #2, I had an incidental finding of a liver tumor on ultrasound. We determined, through MRI and CT scan that it is a focal nodular hyperplasia, caused by BCP. I had been instructed to not go back on the pill after #2 and after we had #3 (12 months later, breastfeeding is NOT an effective form of birth control ;) ) my DH had a vasectomy. We have been monitoring my tumor and it has not grown. My last CT showed that it had actually decreased in size. I had a hysterectomy in Sept 2007 and since the tumor is not exposed to as many hormones, it had gotten smaller. Just something to think about, our tumors are different in nature so what worked for me, may not work for you. I just know after all I went through: the testing, the mental gymnastics of what to do about it, planning my will in case it killed me (hypochondriac, anyone?), etc., I am anti-the Pill. But, you have to weigh the risks vs. benefits in your life and your situation alongside a medical professional. Best of luck to you in your decision.
 
I would go with the IUD.. they have a hormaonal and NON hormal one. They are the most cost efficient and there's nothing to remember. I havn't done it as I don't have insurance or the $$ right now for it.
..well, and Im also convinced that if there's even 1% chance that your body will reject it- mine will lol...
I have decided to go off the pill after this last box. I have been on it for 10 years. A person changes over a 10 year stretch and, well, you never know.. I could be a really awesome person minus all these synthetic hormones lol!

Of course I could just be a bi-polar bi**h.. but the pills could also be largly responsible for the mood swings, anger, temper, hot flashes, night sweats, depression phases and unsaciable fat layer!! But I want to check out and see if the other side is any greener, find out what's me and what's the hormones.. besides.. my skin didn't get ANY better on the things!

However some of the things I have read on here thus far have me going from very excited-- to very nervous! I kindof figured that 10 years was enough of synthetic hormones as well.. puts you at higher risks for a lot of things.. and if there's any one person out of thousands that will get ovarian or cervical cysts or whatever from prolonged pill use-- it will be me! (lol- thats just how my body works :)

I think a trial off the pills would do anyone good. Take a break and see if you have any positive changes. Im also worried that the bleeding and the cramps might return to pre-pill condidtion.. does menstration get any better with age or does it remain about the same??
 
Kimenem said:
Yes. He says the pill is safe even as women get older, as long as you don't smoke or have any other risk factors. The thing is, I don't know if the hormones affect this hemangioma and he acted as if he weren't sure either. Like I said earlier, I'll know in a few weeks and that will either force me to stop or buy me a little more time.
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Then I would speak to another doctor. I think it is absolutely critical to speak to a qualified health professional and if this doc doesn't have the answers than you persist until you find someone who does. You pay for medical care and you have the right to make sure all of your questions are answered clearly. Good luck ;)
 
I know you're right. I'm really scared about this next ultrasound too. I HATE waiting for results and every time the phone rings I'm a wreck. It's mainly because when they did the ultrasound for my galbladder, I WAS NOT expecting "liver news." It totally freaked me out the way she said it too because I had no idea what a hemangioma was. Once she calmed me down, it took the rest of the night for me to fully decompress.

The IUD does seems appealing with exception to the expulsion rate if you've never had kids (me) and all of the bad things that are attributed to IUD's because of that one from many years ago. I want a tubal but the dr said I need to lose about 20 pounds first?????????????????????????????????????? What to use in the meantime if I do decide to come off the pill. It ticks me off that the dr/nurse who told me the hemangioma was NOTHING to worry about didn't tell me they could be affected by hormones. However, when the surgeon I was seeing for my galbladder showed me how small it was, I felt better (about the size of a pencil eraser). Anyway, I'm obviously just rambling now. :confused:

I'm editing to add this: if these things are affected by hormones, how come lots more women don't have them? We have natural estrogen. Also, what about all the women who got one during pregnancy or while on the pill and it hasn't been found yet because there has been no need to do an ultrasound in that area????
 
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remember Elaine on Seinfeld???

the sponge has come back and I've had a few who have given that a try and it works for them. Non hormonal, use it when you need it...no longer have to ask the question-is he sponge worthy? as it's available all the time.
I'm having the same discussion with myself (interesting conversation) as I'm not sure if we'll have another baby (#2 is a handful!) in the next few years or if we're done.
Whose to say more women don't have hepatic cysts or hemangiomas...but definitely keep on top of the follow up with your health care professional
take care
julie
 
Hi there,

I also got after the pill after taking them for approximately 18 years. I have not experienced any hair loss. I also have a liver tumor and went for the Paragard IUD, which has no hormones. I haven't had any children so it was painful the day of insertion as well as the next day, but after that I was fine and I can keep it for 10 - 12 years. I had it inserted early July.

Monica
 
Thanks to everyone!!

Monica-I'm glad you have experienced no hair loss; that's gives me some hope :D I really want a tubal but if that's not in the cards until I'm no longer a porker :p then I may seriously look into the IUD if I have to get off BCP soon. Thanks again!!
 
another option

If you're DEFINTELY not going to have any (more) children...another method that does the same thing as a tubal ligation is ESSURE. No incision required. A hysteroscopy is done to look into the tubes and "plugs" (not really, but you get the idea) are threaded into the fallopian tubes. After 3 months a hystersalpinogram is done to make sure the tubes are scarred shut, then no more pills. just another option out there!
julie
 
I actually read a lot about Essure a year or so back but had forgotten about it. I'm SURE I don't want kids so that's not a problem. Thanks!
 
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