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Ladies-Birth Control Pills and UC

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Posted 12/28/2008 4:27 AM (GMT 0)

I am happy to report that I have been in remission for a few months now and really feel like I have my life back.  It has been a dream.  I have been waiting to post on this topic for awhile to see how long my remission lasted but it looks like (fingers crossed) it is sticking.  I was trying to figure out what I am doing differently this time and the biggest thing is that I went off the pill.  My husband and I decided that when I got healthy it was time to start trying for a baby, so as soon as I started to feel like I was on the road back to good health I stopped taking it.  I know there is mixed scientific evidence on this, but this is really the only thing I am doing differently from all the times I started getting better only to be sick again within weeks.  Anyway, I thought it was worth posting so that the ladies here on the pill can talk to their doctors about it and think about whether it's something they want to try.  Best wishes for health and happiness to everyone here!

Posted 12/28/2008 7:11 AM (GMT 0)
The pill can exacerbate IBD symptoms for many women...I'm glad you found yourself feeling better after going off and once you have your baby you might want to consider another method of birth control rather than going back to the pill....best wishes on starting a family (assuming that is, this will be your first).

:)
Posted 12/28/2008 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the good wishes, it will be our first. Before now it has been too scary to think about being pregnant with my UC. I had read that the pill could make my UC symptoms worse, but my improvement has been greater than I had expected. Hopefully, others who try going off the pill will enjoy the same results. I definitely will not go back on the pill again.
Posted 12/28/2008 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmph...my 15 year old daughter flares in the days preceding her menstrual period. We wondered if it was coincidence that each time she was hospitalized the calandar aligned with her menses. Was going to talk to the doc about putting her on the pill,even though she is not sexually active. Hated to add any pills to her regimen, but thought if the hormones were more regulated, it might keep the flares down. Doesn't look like my unscientific logic applies here. Interested in other thoughts on this, or resources on the topic. Thanks for the info.
Posted 12/28/2008 4:50 PM (GMT 0)

BC pills have been horrible for me. I took them in order to prevent ovarian cysts and improve my periods, but it caused my last/current flare. I went from being in remission with just Asacol to being in an almost remission with Remicade 10 months later. I will never use bc pills again, even if I get my colon removed.

perach, good luck on starting a family! :)

Posted 12/28/2008 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Katmom - I was on pills for YEARS starting as a teenager due to ovarian cysts and because I always got very sick around my period. Everyone with IBD reacts differently. She can try going on the pills and see if they help. If they make her worse she can always come off of them.

I am doing my own little experiment now. I decided I didnt' know what was hormone related and was crohns related side effects. I was taking my pills at night before bed so it was unlikely that it was causing me naseau. But I had bloating and naseua and cramping at varying stages of the month. I haven't even been off the pills a month yet. I do see some increase in my libido. But if I still feel the same symptoms after a few months and know it is just the crohns I will probably go back on the pill.

We do not want to have kids anytime soon - for the time being we are using condoms until I work out the bc stuff.
Posted 12/28/2008 7:24 PM (GMT 0)

Katmom said...
Hmmph...my 15 year old daughter flares in the days preceding her menstrual period. We wondered if it was coincidence that each time she was hospitalized the calandar aligned with her menses. Was going to talk to the doc about putting her on the pill,even though she is not sexually active. Hated to add any pills to her regimen, but thought if the hormones were more regulated, it might keep the flares down. Doesn't look like my unscientific logic applies here. Interested in other thoughts on this, or resources on the topic. Thanks for the info.

Hormones are definitely linked to IBD, I always feel worse just before, during and just after my periods....but going on the pill with having an IBD is more likely a catch 22, it can be helpful for some but for many it does make the flares worse, I know it did for me.  B/C pills also add to bacterial overgrowth which is something IBDers are already prone to so the pill doesn't help in that dept either.

:)

Posted 12/28/2008 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info. Wonder if there is another way to regulate without birth control pills...sure don't want to add to the problem, as we haven't been out of a flare since last Jan. This is an individual disease, isn't it!?
Posted 12/29/2008 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Don't rule out birth control pills totally though - many people with IBD use them for birth control with no problems at all. There is no need for your daughter to think she can never take them since it is so individual! I know I would be super depressed if someone had told me I could never take the pill. We need to have some fun in our lives!! (just not at 15 obviously lol.)
Posted 12/29/2008 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmm...I was thinking about starting the pill again, but now I'm kind of apprehensive if it might make my UC worse. I used to take it and had no side effects (except good ones, like less acne and less cramps), but that was before I got UC.

Glad you're feeling better, perach!
Posted 12/29/2008 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
The pill can contribute to overgrowth of candida which is also implicated in IBD. Getting off the pill is one of the things you can do to rebalance a healthy gut population. To strengthen this theory, my GP says he's had IBD patients improve when given a course of a prescription antifungal.
Posted 12/29/2008 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't been on here in awhile and have been in remission now for almost a year...knock on wood! I just wanted to tell you that my first flare when i was 25y/o was caused by the birth control pill. I have since been off of it and would never try another hormone release bc again. But everyone is different...just wanted to give you my experience.

Posted 12/29/2008 7:15 PM (GMT 0)

ComedyDork-Thanks for the nice wishes, we are so excited to start a family.

FitzyK23-I am a lawyer so I know what you're going through.  Congratulations on being almost finished!!

I agree with the ladies here who said they would never go on the pill again-for some people it is okay but now that I have seen the strong connection between my UC and the pill it is a no-brainer for me.

 


Posted 12/29/2008 7:39 PM (GMT 0)

Katmom,

 I agree with the hormonal component to IBD but I had been on the pill since I was 15. I didn't know I had UC at the time (but had symptoms for sure). I know people have said it but I think the pill helps me. I think it evens out the hormones and doesn't cause such a drop/rise for me. Every body is different though but I say it's worth a shot. It's a simple thing to try and easy to stop if it's not doing any good.

Good luck!

Becky

Posted 12/30/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Bioidentical hormone therapy is an option for those who need help leveling out hormon levels, easing PMS and cramps, etc. as opposed to birth control.
Posted 12/30/2008 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Just a curious survey - those of you that quit the pill what is your preferred method of birth control and has it been successful lol?
Posted 12/30/2008 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
I got my tubes clipped (plastic clips put on them) and yes, it's been very successful, but obviously I'm done having kids LOL.

:)
Posted 12/30/2008 3:06 PM (GMT 0)

FitzyK23 said...
Just a curious survey - those of you that quit the pill what is your preferred method of birth control and has it been successful lol?

We alternate between diaphragm and condoms, but are looking into Essure as a permanent solution.
Posted 12/30/2008 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
vasectomy. I have enough problems, he offered, I accepted. This after 2 kids and a major flare when I tried the pill again. I also had the Mirena IUD, and that wasn't too bad.
Posted 12/30/2008 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Wow. I've definitely considered going off the pill since I've started dealing with this disease. Mostly because I hate to "over-hormone" myself generally, and I'm now doing several different hormone therapies (I'm also hypo-thyroid).

I'm 38 and I have a 12 year old daughter, so I'm pretty much done having kids, but I'm only about 97% certain about having my tubes tied, and no other bc method has been very happy for me. That said, this disease has also kept me from wanting to have sex for the past several months anyways, so maybe it's time to think of alternatives.

Thanks for the topic, and for the information!
Posted 12/30/2008 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Well, way back when I had my second child my GI and OB both said it was good that I was having my kids at a young age because with having IBD, the older you are and having kids the bigger the risks are so age is definitely something to strongly consider if you have IBD.

:)
Posted 12/30/2008 7:58 PM (GMT 0)

For any of you ladies who don't want to take the pill for whatever reason, I would highly recommend the NuvaRing!!! I've been on it for almost two years now and I love it. My periods are shorter and lighter, I have had no side effects from it, I don't have to worry about it not being as effective from having diarrhea, and it's sooo much more convenient. You just insert this ring vaginally and leave it in for three weeks- you honestly can't even tell it's there. Then, you take it out on the fourth week and have your period, and put a new one in at the end of that week. Or, you can skip the ring-free week and start a new ring to skip your period.

I was skeptical at first and didn't think I would like it, but I would never ever go back to the pill again after using it.

Posted 12/31/2008 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ediekristen but I think NuvaRing is still hormonal so its like being on the pill. I was on the patch before the pill and it was still like "the pill." I'm glad to hear the ring worked for you though. I was afraid with going to the bathroom so much it would slip out.
Posted 12/31/2008 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
I think the thing with NuvaRing is that, unlike the pill which delivers a large dose of hormones at once, the NuvaRing just releases very small amounts of hormones over the course of the three weeks to prevent pregnancy but not have as many side effects.

I was afraid it would slip out to, but it never has, even if I'm straining hard. It really stays up there great unless you pull it out.
Posted 1/1/2009 5:13 PM (GMT 0)

I too have been on the Nuvaring for the past 2 years. I love it! But... I hae been having issues with what feels like urine leakage. I didn't want to connet it to the ring (because I love it so much) but I'm thinking that may be it. My General MD and I think it may be the position the ring sits in inside. I'm going to my gyne in January and I'm gonna ask more about it. I do love the ring though and hope it's not it!

Becky

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