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Birth Control and Lupus

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Posted 8/6/2010 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I been having lupus now for 5 years and recently have a flare up.  I had been good for some time now and the flare came all of a sudden.  I had discussed birth control pills with my physician but he does not think its a good idea. 

Any advice as far as to what anyone has been doing for birth control???

Posted 8/7/2010 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
I had to have a tubaligation done this year. Every time I took birth control I went into a flare. But everyone is different.
Posted 8/7/2010 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
My husband had a vasectomy but we used a combination of natural family planning and spermicide. We figured out where in my cycle I ovulated counted 5 days before and 1 day after and didn't have sex during that time without birth control in the form of spermicide. I don't tolerate hormones well. My gyn told my husband point blank it would be better if he got fixed than if I did. I also had a uterine ablation which means pregnancy would be dangerous for me.
Posted 8/10/2010 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

When I was diagnosed with Lupus, my GP told me staying on birth control would be fine. I wanted a second opinion, so I went to my AMAZING obgyn, and she told me to stop use immediately. She suggested getting a Mirena IUD put in. I asked her if the risk of infection would be higher because I'll be on immunosuppresants, but she said that Mirena is unique because it causes the mucous lining to become very thick, and therefore the risk of infection will be far less than without the IUD. Another benefit of the IUD is that I won't get my period for 5 years, which will be nice considering that my period causes flares for me. I get it inserted in September! Hopefully all goes well with it.

Good luck to you :)
Posted 8/10/2010 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
I would diffinently use something but not the pill. I have read about women with lupus wanting to get pregnant and the articles said that pregnancy does not go well for women that are on lupus medicine. There are ways of changing meds or getting pregnant when not in a flare but certain immunosuppressant drugs will cause miscarriages and deformities in a fetus. I realize you wern't asking because you wanted to get pregnant I was just giving a little extra incentive to doing something. as opposed to keeping your figures crossed. I had a hysterectomy so I am not formiliar with a lot of the newer products but I know there is a ring that can be put in that will stay for quiet some time and if you choose to get pregnant later removing itis not a problem  either.

carol

Posted 8/10/2010 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cielo,

When I was first diagnosed with Lupus in March of 2009 was on birth control.  Basically I had been on it most of my life since I was 18 years old, except for my two pregnancies when I was 30 and 32.  My rhuemy didn't have a problem with it because my ob/gyn wanted me to stay on it because I was starting to enter into perimenopause (I was 48 then) and she said the estrogen was needed to protect my bones because we all know that we really start to experience more bone loss through menopause.  It seemed like everytime I went off it to have my period I would flare some what and my rhuemy seemed to think that it obviously was the change in the hormonal balance at that time.  Last fall I saw my ob/gyn and she seemed to feel that I would do well by taking hormones daily to prevent a monthly period.  I take Cenestin and Prometrium everyday, haven't had a period and it seems like because I keep my body regulated daily I have less problems with what I call mini-flares.  My rhuemy is fine with it, but of course, we all have individual situations that have to be addressed by your team of doctors.  Hope you find the right answer.

Hugs and Angels,

Lynnette

DX - sle and carpal tunnel

RX - plaquenil, prednisone, lisiniprol, etolodac, darvocet when needed, cenestin and prometrium and daily vitamins

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