Birth Control & Health

[Lady_D_I]

What?

I know you don’t want to share her particular issue on this forum, but have you asked what in the world the doctor diagnosed as needing a BCP so she could be fertile later on?

Is it PCOS? How strange. The ones that do respond to BCPs are usually naturally occurring and commonly found in young adults. If it’s not that kind, then it won’t be helped at all by BCPs and in fact can simmer for all the years she uses them, until she finally discovers a huge medical issue.

Is she suffering from an edocrine disease that is affecting her fertility?

Definitely help her to see several doctors, including the one who has known her the longest, a specialist in woman’s health, an endocrinologist, etc.

They do this with endometriosis too.

Gosh I sound argumentative… that isn’t my intent Maria. Just wanting to clarify the information re: POPs.

 

[leahbrahms]

I also want to add that being on the Pill can sometimes lower a woman’s fertility for years afterwards - or permanently. This isn’t information doctors usually volunteer, and they may not be educated on the research to know for themselves.

Please provide a link to a medical source showing what you wrote above is medically accurate. It would be interesting to read a scientific study on this as I have heard this claim from many people on this forum but never seen a scientific study posted.

Take a look here:

Ten Reasons To Avoid Birth Control Pills (Mary Davenport, MD)
I highly recommend that everyone read this article!

One percent of women who use oral contraceptives will never ovulate again without using fertility drugs to induce ovulation. In addition, research by Dr. Eric Odeblad of Sweden has shown permanent impairment of cervical mucus production, which is vital to achieving pregnancy, in women who have used birth control pills.

You can read some of Dr. Odeblad’s research here: The Discovery of Different Types of Cervical Mucus. Here’s a pertinent quote (note that S refers to the type of mucus conducive to sperm transmission; the S crypt is where the mucus is produced):

The Pill. Complications arising from the use of the Pill are very frequent. Infertility after its use for 7-15 years is a very serious problem. S crypts are very sensitive to normal and cyclical stimulation by natural oestrogens and the Pill causes atrophy of these crypts. Fertility is impaired since the movement of sperm cells up the canal is reduced. Treatment is difficult. In some cases hormonal treatment is possible. In very intractable cases I have tried to reconstruct the S crypts microsurgically with acceptable results but the treatment is difficult and time-consuming.

Other links you might find helpful:

Nutrition for you, nutrition for two (mediconsult)
Cites prior use of the Pill as a factor in infertility

The Pill: How does it work? Is it safe? (CCLI)
How the Pill works; temporary or permanent infertility as one of the observed side effects

The Pill vs. NFP: A Catholic Physician’s Story (Jose R. Fernandez, MD)
Mentions permanent infertility as a possible side-effect of contraceptive use

 

[Maria1212]

I prescribed birth control once upon a time, which is why I asked. POPs alter the endometrium and are effective. Contraceptive Technology (family planning clinic “bible”) states, “[p]rogestin-only pills are slightly less effective than combined oral contraceptives (OCs). In the first year of use, the probability of pregnancy among typical users is 8%. With perfect use, only 0.3% of women would become pregnant”. I’ve reviewed the studies supporting these stats.

The slighlty higher pregnancy rate (typical use) with POPs is not scientfic evidence the enodmetrium isn’t altered.

I’m intrigued and not sure how anyone could determine one hormonal contraceptive prevents implantation more frequently compared to another since the abortifacient effect is based on indirect evidence (changes in the endometrium). How does anyone know some birth control pills have a higher rate of preventing implantation? OCs, the patch, the ring, the shot, the implant, & POPs are all potential abortifacients related to the endometrial changes including development of an atrophic endometrium, but no one knows if or how often implantation is prevented.

If you have scientific evidence POPs do not prevent implantation, I would like to review it.

Here is a link to prescribing info for one of the popular POPs.

The package insert on one generic brand of POP pill had the pregnancy rate listed as twenty percent for women taking it in one year. For most combination pills, the statistic is 0.3 percent as you cited above.

Regardless, I strongly recommend the OP`s fiancee seek multiple opinions, regardless of what medical option her doctors decide is best for her.

Sincerely,

Maria1212

 

[Lady_D_I]

The package insert on one generic brand of POP pill had the pregnancy rate listed as twenty percent for women taking it in one year. For most combination pills, the statistic is 0.3 percent as you cited above.

Regardless, I strongly recommend the OP`s fiancee seek multiple opinions, regardless of what medical option her doctors decide is best for her.

Sincerely,

Maria1212

Wow! Why would anyone prescribe that POP? Contraceptive Technology reports the pregnancy rate for OCs and POPs 0.3%. I am sure you can understand why 20% jumped off the page as I have never read this stat (medical texts, medical journals, etc.).

As a woman, WHNP, and NFPNP, I agree she should explore her options.

 

[Maria1212]

Wow! Why would anyone prescribe that POP? Contraceptive Technology reports the pregnancy rate for OCs and POPs 0.3%. I am sure you can understand why 20% jumped off the page as I have never read this stat (medical texts, medical journals, etc.).

As a woman, WHNP, and NFPNP, I agree she should explore her options.

I wondered the same thing. Actually, I was prescribed that for a hormonal imbalance but it was horrible so I stopped it after three weeks. I am not married so didn`t need to worry about whether it would prevent pregnancy. I think the 20 percent came from the rate of pregnancy in “actual users” versus when it was taken perfectly. The POP has to be taken at the same time every day (within three hours if I recall correctly) so if some women are not able to remember to do this, it could be how the stat jumps from 0.3 to-1.0 to 20 percent.

I found a wonderful doctor (after many searches) who did every test in the book. It is critical with any issue to find a doctor willing to take the time to diagnose and treat the root problem. For some women, this may require dietary changes, for others hormonal supplements, whether in the form of an injection (as Dr. Hilgers provides), or in an oral form, such as the pill or other medication. For some, dietary changes can be enough. I will post a number of books that helped me tremendously. But my bottom line is that for a woman who understands the risks, and has exhausted other medical options, it is okay to take the pill. Especially if the alternative involves uterine surgery etc. The Church teaches it is okay for medical reasons. But I do think for a woman having sex, one needs to be honest and make sure they are not rationalizing the use of the pill.

Every woman must educate herself and understand the risks and decide what is acceptable to her. Especially when it comes to blood clots. Many commonly prescribed medications have serious side effects, and we need to be responsible consumers.

Sincerely,

Maria1212

 

[Lady_D_I]

I wondered the same thing. Actually, I was prescribed that for a hormonal imbalance but it was horrible so I stopped it after three weeks. I am not married so didn`t need to worry about whether it would prevent pregnancy. I think the 20 percent came from the rate of pregnancy in “actual users” versus when it was taken perfectly. The POP has to be taken at the same time every day (within three hours if I recall correctly) so if some women are not able to remember to do this, it could be how the stat jumps from 0.3 to-1.0 to 20 percent.

Contraceptive Tech reports “*n the first year of use, the probability of pregnancy among typical users is 8%”. Typical users are actual users. Clincial Gynecologis Endocrinology & Infertility reports a failure rate of 1.1-9.6% per 100 women. The highest pregnancy rate among typical users I have read is 13% (source: NP notes). It is accepted POPs are effective if taken correctly but user error is an issue. I believe you read these stats, but I do not believe the stats you read were accurate. It is the accuracy of the source I question based on my review of the medical literature.

For some women, this may require dietary changes, for others hormonal supplements, whether in the form of an injection (as Dr. Hilgers provides), or in an oral form, such as the pill or other medication.

Dr. H also provides oral progesterone. Progesterone = more pleasant Autumn.

But my bottom line is that for a woman who understands the risks, and has exhausted other medical options, it is okay to take the pill.

This is my understanding too. It is important to remember every woman does not have access to NPT and/or alternatives.*