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Crohn's and Birth Control-For the Ladies

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 11/10/2010 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I am a 25 year old who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when I was 16. I am on 40 mg/0.8 mL of Humira once every 14 days and 175 mg of Azathioprine every day. I am also currently in remission.

After consulting with my gynecologist, I decided to go on birth control. She suggested Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. This is my very first time using a birth control pill and I am extremely anxious. I am using several other methods of birth control in addition to a birth control pill because I absolutely cannot get pregnant.

I was curious what other people's experiences have been like on a birth control pill. I have read so many horror stories about side effects and I'm very nervous about taking it. I would appreciate any and all experiences that people would be willing to share with me!
Posted 11/10/2010 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
I was on the pill for almost 10 years. It was great for my Crohn's, now that I am off of it I have a harder time with my Crohn's symptoms around my periods. I think it is good you are starting on a low dose pill. I started on a regular dose first and had some side effects, nothing major just minor but annoying! I was on a low dose pill for several years and had no side effects.

I stopped the pill because I am now over 30 and had some other health things happen that made me concerned about blood clots. Crohn's and the pill raise your risk and now being over 30 I was too concerned with the risk to continue. But with that said I am also at a point where I am not actively trying for a baby but if I did get pregnant it would be fine so that helped with my decision. Up until a year ago I was like you, for a couple of reasons I absolutely could not get pregnant and felt the pill was my best option.
Posted 11/10/2010 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
I was on YAZ before I was ever dx with anything, only side effect I had from that was acne. Then I was on the Mirena IUD just before I got married. I'm still on it for the 2nd time. I can't say for sure if it's helped any of my CD symptoms but I haven't had a period in a year.
Posted 11/10/2010 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
I started off 10 years ago when I was 21 on birth control. I went on a very low dose and it worked well until I had to go on pred for a flare then I began having my perid every other week. Since then I went on Loestrin I forget the dose atm but the week isnt sugar pills it is iron. I have not had any issues with it and since my surgeries it is not abnormal for me to get extrememly short light flows and some months not at all. Pre surgery I would miss maybe 1 or 2 cycles a year. My flow pre bcp were really heavy now they are so light I dont need much if any feminine products.  there were some months when I was off it (while hospitalized post op etc) and my menstrual cycle went to the norm cycle yet was lighter than it was pre pill but heavier then when I am on it.  Pre pill I had heavy flow and it wasnt uncommon to bleed 7-8 days for me..now when I wasnt on it it lasted 4-5 days with about half the flow as pre pill.  They have noticed it has helped my anemia.
Posted 11/10/2010 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Birth control did nothing but good for me. Now that I'm off of it, my periods are the harshest time of the month Crohn's-wise. When on B.C. I consistently had 'perfect' periods. 3-5 days of bleeding, no clotting, few cramps, higher iron...I'm off because the docs thought it would help me with Crohn's pain, but it's only made things worse. Don't be afraid. It really made my life more manageable, and I'm looking to go back on it.
Posted 11/10/2010 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
I've had absolutely no problems with a BC pill and Crohn's. My GYN found my Crohn's because I have perianal involvement and in that same doctor's appointment, she gave me a prescription for my first BC pill. No problems here--still on BC and still have Crohn's!
Posted 11/10/2010 7:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! It's nice to hear that most people have had positive experiences with taking birth control even while dealing with Crohn's.

Did anyone have any bad side effects from their birth control pills? I have read that they can sometimes cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, weight gain, etc.

I know everyone reacts to medication differently. So, I guess I will just have to wait and see how my body handles it.
Posted 11/10/2010 8:10 AM (GMT 0)
You're right deborahjp, a lot of people do have side effects from their birth control pills. A roommate of mine gained quite a bit of weight from her birth control in the form of a shot. Personally, I have had absolutely no problems with side effects. Before I was on it, I was hardly cramping and didn't really have acne either. But what it did work towards was regulating my cycle. I love knowing which day (almost to the hour!)I'm going to get it.

Wish you the best! :)

Post Edited (RiddleMeThis) : 11/10/2010 10:08:21 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/10/2010 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
I used the BCP for probably about 10 years and never had any issues with it. And I started them before diagnosis and used them after too. After I stopped them (had tubes tied) my periods got so miserable that I eventually had a complete hysterectomy. Good luck!
Posted 11/10/2010 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Loestrin 24fe for a while, I liked it... the only thing I ever noticed was that I was more 'edgy' though that could have been the Endocort that I was on. Loestrin was one of the better pills I was on.. I had breakthrough spotting for months when I was on other brands.

I've been off BC since I had surgery in June.. will likely go back on sometime in the future.. after kids.
Posted 11/10/2010 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
I took the pill for years and then switched to the Depo Provera shot, so I never have a period.  That really helped distinguish between Crohn's pain and menstal or endometriosis pains.  My OBGYN said I'm the first person she's seen who didn't gain a lot of weight while on the combo of meds I'm on (including the depo), so yes, many women gain weight on it.  It can cause bone loss, so I have to take calcium with vitamin d and have periodic bone density tests.  But, I love only having to go every 12 weeks for a shot and never having a period.  We are going to keep me on it for as long as we can and then go to permanent birth control (i.e. tubes tied, etc).

Posted 11/10/2010 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Please discuss the higher risk of clotting due to crohns with your dr before making your decision. It seems not everyone is given that info when they are DX with crohns. I was unable to take the pill after my DX because crohns gave me clots... so it was too risky. but that is rare and hopefully won't be an issue for you. I just want to ensure you are aware of the increased risk.

best of luck

B
Posted 11/11/2010 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
I had never had any problems being on BC. I was on Yazmin, Yaz, Ocella and now Zarah. I've been on it since I was 15 I had to go on it so I would start to get my period. At 15 I didn't have it went on birth control and got it right away and I've had it ever since and no problems at all. On a plus some brands help with acne and PMDD or whatever it's called.
Posted 11/11/2010 6:04 AM (GMT 0)
Becktoria- I was aware that I have a higher risk of clotting due to my Crohn's and that taking a birth control pill can increase the risk further. I did discuss this with my gynecologist. We decided to go with the pill because the Depo shot can cause a decrease in bone density and I already have osteopenia due to years of Prednisone use. I also felt more comfortable with taking pills than with using the NuvaRing. However, I am going to call my GI doctor tomorrow and double check with him before I start Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo just to make sure he's comfortable with it. Thank you though for mentioning it. As you said, it's always good to be aware of any added risks!
Posted 11/11/2010 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I fell pregnant while on the pill so also went on to the depo provero  injection which I loved had no weight gain or any other side effects, I now have an  implant in my arm which works for 3 years before being replaced I prefer these methods  as I don't have to worry about it even when I have D or have to go on antibiotics also no side effects. Bev x 
Posted 11/11/2010 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
I quit taking mine in March. I was told by the GI I could continue but at my age (39) I was concerned about clotting. Honestly my symptoms seemed to improve when I got off the pills. One thing I have found out from this board is no two people are the same when it comes to crohns.
Posted 11/11/2010 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
It's very individual so you won't know until you try, but I know for me, I highly suspect BC pills as being my trigger for crohn's and research also shows a connection between BC pills and crohn's as well (it's highly suspected to be a trigger for CD) of course it's different for everyone. Good luck, hope the BC pills don't cause you any issues.
Posted 11/12/2010 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
I had pulmonary emboli (clots go to my lungs) which was determined to be from BC and Crohn's. I also have a close friend who had the same thing happen a year before me. Yes, it's considered a rare side effect, but it's a serious one that I might not have taken had I known the risk.

Never again will I take birth control. I also taught my OB-GYN a lesson, to warn her crohn's patients about the additional risk for us to take BC.

I will mention, should you decide to take the pill, you might think about taking extra precautions against clots-like when you go on trips, stop and walk around more frequently to keep your blood from sitting. (my friend threw clots from her leg to lungs while driving home from vacation...had she known the risk, maybe stopping and walking around instead of driving 8 hours straight could have kept it from happening)
Posted 11/12/2010 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
Forgot to mention...while I was on BC, I loved it. My skin was clearer, I had less cramping, less irritability, lighter periods....oh how I miss those days!
Posted 11/12/2010 9:10 AM (GMT 0)
The hormonal bc options with lowest risk for blood clots are the ones that deliver tiny continuous amounts of hormones directly into your uterus or vagina -- specifically, the Mirena IUD (uterus) or the Nuvaring (vagina). I'm on Nuvaring and loving it so far. It has been perfectly easy to use. But it's only been a few months.
Posted 11/12/2010 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
I'm another who loves my BC...and without them makes the crohn's much worse...but I have taken the lower dosage estrogen for quite awhile (it can be the higher amounts that can cause many of the side effects)...Here's a good site...www.wdxcyber.com/ncontr13.htm
Me, I've been on loestrin 1/20 for quite awhile now...I have talked to my docs about clotting and other issues (I've just turned 40 this year, egads!)...so they are aware, but none saw a reason to discontinue (at least in my case)...
There are so many options available now than ever before...I remember being a wee lass and you didn't have that much of a choice (and my mother had less)...
Good luck!
Posted 11/13/2010 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
BC made my crohns and periods horrible. I finally stopped taking them and that time of the month has been so much better. about a year ago, I went on them for 2 months to mess up my period so I wouldn't have it while I was on vacation in Mexico, and my boobs were soooooo sore. I couldn't wait to get off of them. Hopefully it will be better for you.
Posted 11/14/2010 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Key is to finding the one that works the best for you. And unfortunately, its only by trial and error. I'm taking seasonique. The one with only 4 periods a year and I love it! I could never go off BC, because my crohns is terribly difficult when I'm off the pill. Pill just makes life easier.
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