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Posted 7/9/2009 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
Okay, so I started taking birth control back in March. That month was fine, but the next month is when my constipation/weird stools/occasional blood started. Before the birth control I was on an anti-fungal for ringworm. I saw my GI on Monday. First, she acted like she didn't know why I was there, so I had to explain I want to stop anything before it gets worse. Then I asked if the birth control could affect things, and she said when you start any kind of hormones it can affect things. Then she shrugged, so it wasn't definitive. I don't know which it was, probably the birth control.

Has anyone else had birth control affect their UC? If so, did new, temporary medications make it go away? She put me on Rowasa once a night. Also, it's just a standard pill for contraception, no crazy amounts of hormones.

Thanks!

Posted 7/9/2009 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
I have had issues with BC pills causing me issues with my IBD, so does my period, I don't take BC pills anymore, just suffer for a bit each month during my periods which are also hormone related.

:)
Posted 7/9/2009 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I'd rather not stop them lol. My periods used to be bad, but now they're okay.
Posted 7/9/2009 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
I hope someone can answer this question. I went off BC pills after being dx'd w/UC last year thinking I could do Natural Family Planning, ummm my second child is now 6 months old so so much for that method! I asked my gyno about BC pills and UC and she said it shouldn't affect it but I'm still not sure, haven't filled the Rx yet. I asked about the patch thinking since it doesn't pass through the digestive system but she said that the patch has a lot more hormones than the pill. Don't know what to do, I hope someone has some suggestions! (Both DH and I don't like condoms and DH isn't ready for a vasectomy we might want another).
Posted 7/9/2009 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
Me too, and yeah, I'm definitely not prepared for a kid. And my boyfriend really isn't lol. As for the condoms, not as much fun (I'm still very careful) and I don't trust just those. Using only condoms for me is extra scary because my period just comes whenever it feels like! But maybe I'll have to if the Rowasa doesn't help. Eek.
Posted 7/9/2009 1:55 AM (GMT 0)

AMK77 said...
I hope someone can answer this question. I went off BC pills after being dx'd w/UC last year thinking I could do Natural Family Planning, ummm my second child is now 6 months old so so much for that method! I asked my gyno about BC pills and UC and she said it shouldn't affect it but I'm still not sure, haven't filled the Rx yet. I asked about the patch thinking since it doesn't pass through the digestive system but she said that the patch has a lot more hormones than the pill. Don't know what to do, I hope someone has some suggestions! (Both DH and I don't like condoms and DH isn't ready for a vasectomy we might want another).

What about an IUD?
Posted 7/9/2009 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
What about the Nuvaring? I use it and it's wonderful. You wear it in you for 3 weeks and then take it out for a week and you get your period. I think the hormones in it aren't as systemic as the pill but I'm not sure.
Posted 7/9/2009 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know, I'm kinda hesitant about those lol. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with something up there all the time, although it has a little more appeal now. I don't know a ton about them.
Posted 7/9/2009 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
You don't even know it's there! LOL
Posted 7/9/2009 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
about the only birth control methods I can use are withdrawal and condoms. I get infections and blood clots easily. My ex was fine with the withdrawal method. My current boyfriend prefers condoms to the withdrawal method but would rather not use condoms; so I let him come inside me for the first few days after my period. I'm lucky. These methods have worked for me for the past 30 years. I've been pregnant twice. Both were planned pregnancies.

Yes. I'm 47. But according to my gynecologist, I can get pregnant.
Posted 7/9/2009 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I might be cool with that if I could support myself, just in case XD For now it's bc + withdrawl. I hope my body just adusts.
Posted 7/9/2009 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
I would highly recommend the Mirena IUD. I think you have to already have had a child to get it but it makes your periods lighter or dissapear. Plus, you don't have to take a pill every day. You never even know it's there.

Posted 7/9/2009 5:57 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on the pill, and so far I don't seem to have any problems.

To the poster who got pregnant using Natural Family Planning, were you charting completely? I mean, checking cervical fluid and cervical position in addition to taking your temp at the same time every morning? I did that when DH and I decided to try for our first, and I found it to be highly accurate. I'd feel comfortable using it for avoidance. I take the pill, though, because my mom had ovarian cancer.
Posted 7/9/2009 6:52 AM (GMT 0)

subdued said...

 so I let him come inside me for the first few days after my period. I'm lucky. These methods have worked for me for the past 30 years. I've been pregnant twice. Both were planned pregnancies.

Yes. I'm 47. But according to my gynecologist, I can get pregnant.

You are lucky, cuz a woman can even get pregnant during her period let alone the first few days after her period. 

 

My mom was on the BC pill and got pregnant with me, she had no idea she was pregnant cuz she kept getting her period and was taking the pill every month, the 4th month in (still taking the pill and mensturating normally) she noticed a little weight gain all over but couldn't figure out why, she asked the doc, he gave her a pregnancy test and he told her she was 4 months pregnant with me, she was 39 yrs old and already had 5 mouths to feed, needless to say she nearly passed out from the shock.  She asked if he would do an abortion but he said no cuz she was too far along...can't blame her for asking.

 

:)

Posted 7/9/2009 9:20 AM (GMT 0)
Yah. I probably should have mentioned that my periods are about a month apart and that I always can tell when I'm ovulating (the infamous egg white) or when it's a few days before I'm going to ovulate (more moisture); so those first few days after my period are quite safe.

I'm one of those women whose body starts to change immediately after conception. I knew the days both my children were conceived. In fact, my first doctor didn't believe me. His estimate was two weeks earlier than mine. So I ended up having to get induced; only for my doctor to say that my baby was two weeks younger than he had estimated. Of course, he forgot all about my telling him so during our first appointment.
Posted 7/9/2009 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
i was on bc pill for 12 years and the BC shot for 2 years .... had UC flares and remission while on it and i have UC flares and remision even when off it.
does not seem to have any affect or relevance in my case at all
Posted 7/9/2009 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
I don't seem to notice a difference in my UC on or off, I tend to flare around my period either way, though.

I'd rather stay on it as it means less cramps and bleeding.
Posted 7/9/2009 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
The BC pill actually helps my UC. I always got flares when I had my period. Started taking the pill continuously per suggestion of my ObGyn (no periods unless my body REALLY seems to 'want' one). No problems, no cramps, no mess, no harm to my body - and helps prevent the dreaded IBD symptoms from my period. Also helps prevent flares when I have a period. Very nice. I know most people are scared/hesitant to try this route though but seems to work for me and keeps me from having continuous flares.
Posted 7/9/2009 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
My UC went into massive flare around the time I started taking Yaz. I think it was a coincidence because I was already in a minor flare for a year or so before the switch. I had a lot of stress in my life that probably didn't make it any better. This is my last month of Yaz, then I am switching again. Let's hope there is an improvement or no change at all. I defintiely think BCPs change your body and not for the better. I notice that I am more likely to have yeast issues when I am on the pill. I feel less balanced, I get migraines and my libido is lowered.
Posted 7/9/2009 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
My periods did get better, they're still better than they were before, but now I'm just generally not as good. I'd still like a method where I continue getting them, so I have some indicator in case we have an "accident" XD My mom got pregnant with my brother while she was on bc, then she got severe endometriosis, they told her she couldn't have kids, and here I am. She couldn't even tell she was pregnant til 6mo in. So yeah...I'm afraid of accidents lol
Posted 7/9/2009 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
I hear ya - my sister got pregnant twice while on BCP. Although I think she was taking antibiotics when it happened both times, which can lessen the effect of BCP. Word to the wise - always check drug interactions! :)
Posted 7/9/2009 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Fer sure. I just hope that when I have kids, they're planned lol. But accidents tend to run in the family XD Grandma was, mom was, and so was I. lol
Posted 7/9/2009 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
I was the result of a "midnight sneak attack" as my dad puts it. My sister was only 9 months old, and even though my mom was breastfeeding my sister, she was still having periods. My mom had a diaphragm (she couldn't tolerate the pill), but my dad was um, a bit excited, and my mom didn't get a chance to put it in. So, here I am!
Posted 7/9/2009 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Midnight sneak attack lol that's awesome
Posted 7/10/2009 12:52 AM (GMT 0)

MNBeachgal said...
I hear ya - my sister got pregnant twice while on BCP. Although I think she was taking antibiotics when it happened both times, which can lessen the effect of BCP. Word to the wise - always check drug interactions! :) 

True, and many also don't realize that while breast-feeding they can also get pregnant, as it happend to one of my sisters and she had 2 kids back to back, not easy on the body either since it's much better to give your body some time to re-coupe from having one baby before having another right away.

 

I'm just glad my baby making days are long behind me now, even though I had 2 amazing pregnancies (one before getting sick with IBD and one during IBD), I'm so over yearning for a baby that I don't even want to ever become a grandma, and both my kids were pretty good babies (well, my boy was kinda a nightmare as a baby but he's awesome now and he's 16 yrs old, yet my daughter was the perfect baby but an nightmare teenager, so glad she's an adult now LOL).

 

:)

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