Is it okay to use birth control pills for regulating one's cycles?

[Katie966]

Because I don’t have natural periods due to being on birth control in the past. I recently went off of the IUD after being convicted in my conscience to do so and I knew of no other way to regulate my cycles than to use the birth control pill so that is why I am on it now. I am afraid that if I ask for some other way to regulate my cycles, they’ll say I am looking for a fertility treatment and they won’t give it to me.

How recently did you have the IUD removed? Oftentimes it can take up to a year for cycles to straighten themselves out after stopping the hormones.

I understand that it’s frustrating not to have regular cycles, but personally, I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to take the pill. Some women have heavy, uncontrolled bleeding and a lot of pain and sometimes it might be warranted, but if the reason is simply to have more regular cycles, it’s not worth all the other side effects and risks.

Have you ever charted your cycles? If you learn to recognize signs of fertility, you can learn to p(name removed by moderator)oint when your period will come even if your cycles are long. When you say your cycles are “irregular”, what does that mean to you? How many days in between?

 

[markomalley]

Hey everyone. I know it is okay to use birth control pills for therapeutic reasons but what about for regulating one’s cycles? Is it okay to use them for that? I don’t have regular cycles and I don’t hardly ever have a period so I asked my doctor to put me on them to help regulate my cycles. What do you say?

From a strictly moral perspective, this appears to technically fall under the principle of double effect. You are taking hormones to regulate your menstrual cycle and the undesired side effect is the contraceptive effect of those hormones.

The question that comes into play is that if the good effect (regulating your menstrual cycle) is proportionate to the unintended bad effect (possibly aborting a fertilized baby in the blastocyst stage of development…before he/she has a chance to adhere to the endometrium). Of course, if you are currently celibate, this would be a non-issue.

Regardless, that is a call probably best dealt with in person between your doctor, your priest (or other qualified moral theologian), and you, rather than on an Internet message board.

On another note, though, there is one other unintended side effect: a marked increase in the chances of you getting breast cancer or cervical cancer. Again, you should look at whether the good of regulating your periods outweighs the risk to your future health. Particularly if economics is an issue: cancer is a very costly disease to treat.

 

[manualman]

Not every bad idea is a sin.

 

[Holly3278]

How recently did you have the IUD removed? Oftentimes it can take up to a year for cycles to straighten themselves out after stopping the hormones.

I understand that it’s frustrating not to have regular cycles, but personally, I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to take the pill. Some women have heavy, uncontrolled bleeding and a lot of pain and sometimes it might be warranted, but if the reason is simply to have more regular cycles, it’s not worth all the other side effects and risks.

Have you ever charted your cycles? If you learn to recognize signs of fertility, you can learn to p(name removed by moderator)oint when your period will come even if your cycles are long. When you say your cycles are “irregular”, what does that mean to you? How many days in between?

I just had it removed a few days ago.

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

Yeah I was tested for that and I tested negative.

I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how were you tested? I wasn’t sure if there were tests available for this disorder, and my OB/GYN just read through a list of symptoms and I matched like 95% of the symptoms, so that’s what he diagnosed me with.

Did you get a pelvic ultrasound? Blood tests?

If you feel uncomfortable answering, please don’t answer. I was just curious because I want to look into getting this treated in the future and I am trying, currently, to maintain a healthy diet in order to bring my weight down since I am considered moderately overweight to obese for my height.

 

[Warrior1979]

I am not a Vegetarian but I don’t eat a lot of meat. I do have problems with my iron levels though.

BTW, I used to be a vegetarian and never heard of the iron deficiency issue associated with that diet. It is certainly possible if one doesn’t eat enough iron-rich foods, but that is true of any diet. Many people are iron deficient without being vegetarians. A common one is a person with a low-meat, high-dairy, diet.

 

[Katie966]

I just had it removed a few days ago.

If you just had it removed, then maybe it would be worth it to wait a bit and see how your body reacts. I strongly recommend charting and getting to know your own symptoms. If your only concern is to regulate your cycle, it’s not worth the risk of blood clots, strokes, high blood pressure, and all the rest. Despite all the doctors handing it out like candy, the pill does come with some serious risks.

I also know from experience that some people never feel the same after taking it. It messed up my body in several different ways. If I could go back I never would have touched it.

 

[Katie966]

I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how were you tested? I wasn’t sure if there were tests available for this disorder, and my OB/GYN just read through a list of symptoms and I matched like 95% of the symptoms, so that’s what he diagnosed me with.

Did you get a pelvic ultrasound? Blood tests?

If you feel uncomfortable answering, please don’t answer. I was just curious because I want to look into getting this treated in the future and I am trying, currently, to maintain a healthy diet in order to bring my weight down since I am considered moderately overweight to obese for my height.

I know your question was addressed to the OP, but I’ve also been tested so I thought I’d share.

First, the doctor suspected I might have it and ordered blood tests of various hormones and also glucose levels. Additionally, I had a pelvic ultrasound and they found cysts on the ovaries- they showed the pictures to me. This is how they made a diagnosis- you may want to look into having some of these tests done, rather than having your doctor just diagnose it based on symptoms alone.

Treatment-wise though, all I am doing right now is the same things you are- just trying to exercise and eat right. This did balance out my cycles for the most part so it probably is the best way to start. They also mentioned going on the pill, but I said no way. I think that’s what messed me up to begin with, since I was always fine before I took it.

 

[I_love_rocks]

No, it’s not okay to use birth control pills for any reason. Birth control pills can cause abortion, and enhance and speed up the cancer process. God bless.

 

[PerfectTiming]

No, it’s not okay to use birth control pills for any reason. Birth control pills can cause abortion, and enhance and speed up the cancer process. God bless.

Birth control pills don’t cause abortion. They prevent ovulation so they can’t cause abortion.
I’m not saying it’s right, it’s still morally wrong, but to say that it causes abortion is to the best of my knowledge incorrect.

 

[rachard1583]

One way we allow the world to enter into our marriage is by our own actions. We have to stop and take a look at ourselves.

Lebanon Spring Blog

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

I know your question was addressed to the OP, but I’ve also been tested so I thought I’d share.

First, the doctor suspected I might have it and ordered blood tests of various hormones and also glucose levels. Additionally, I had a pelvic ultrasound and they found cysts on the ovaries- they showed the pictures to me. This is how they made a diagnosis- you may want to look into having some of these tests done, rather than having your doctor just diagnose it based on symptoms alone.

Treatment-wise though, all I am doing right now is the same things you are- just trying to exercise and eat right. This did balance out my cycles for the most part so it probably is the best way to start. They also mentioned going on the pill, but I said no way. I think that’s what messed me up to begin with, since I was always fine before I took it.

Thank you for your answer. I hated that my doctor tried to put me on birth control pills and I submitted to it. I really wished I had said “no.” When I taken off the patches, it took FOREVER for my cycle to finally regulate itself to a normal cycle of about 32-35 days. Then, it took like 3 months after I stopped the birth control pills for the heavy bleeding and cramping to go away. I wish I hadn’t voluntarily taken that garbage. It is a synthetic chemical and I don’t like what it did to me at all.

I really don’t like that the doctors didn’t give me any tests. My mom and I discussed it last year and I wish that I had asked for a pelvic ultrasound when I had health insurance to make sure that I really have PCOS and not something else. When I get insurance again, I’m definitely going to request one.

I have been really big on exercise lately. Last night, my mom and I took a near 2 hour long walk and I felt so good afterwards that I wanted to keep going but it was getting dark and we had to go back home. It felt really good to release the tension that I’ve been feeling lately and I know my body will appreciate the exercise.

 

[baltobetsy]

thank you for your answer. I hated that my doctor tried to put me on birth control pills and i submitted to it. I really wished i had said “no.” when i taken off the patches, it took forever for my cycle to finally regulate itself to a normal cycle of about 32-35 days. Then, it took like 3 months after i stopped the birth control pills for the heavy bleeding and cramping to go away. I wish i hadn’t voluntarily taken that garbage. It is a synthetic chemical and i don’t like what it did to me at all.

Holly, are you listening?

 

[benidict]

One thing I noticed on there is not eating right. I don’t eat right, that much is for sure. If I knew how to cook, I’d eat much better.

I can suggest some good cook books.

 

[benidict]

No, it’s not okay to use birth control pills for any reason. Birth control pills can cause abortion, and enhance and speed up the cancer process. God bless.

Are you a doctor? Independent source plz?

 

[benidict]

Holly, are you listening?

Im sure she is. no reason to SHOUT! She may be a little anemic but I dont think shes deaf.

 

[benidict]

Will the pill do as you think it will Holly? My mother is a protestant, and it almost killed her years ago. It caused blood clots. Have you had a chance to do all the research? I would consult a very good physician and have a good heart to heart and ask some direct question. Preferably a female physician, who being female herself would have your best interest at heart. Peace and prayers for you.

 

[Warrior1979]

Holly, are you listening?

Every situation is different and must be treated accordingly.

 

[Rock_Happy]

Hey everyone. I know it is okay to use birth control pills for therapeutic reasons but what about for regulating one’s cycles? Is it okay to use them for that? I don’t have regular cycles and I don’t hardly ever have a period so I asked my doctor to put me on them to help regulate my cycles. What do you say?

I would definitely consult your gynecologist, and possibly and endocrinologist. There may be a medical reason, which could be important. If there is not one, then it is worth the piece of mind to know that. If it is not too personal to ask, what is your height and weight? Are you extremely athletic?

If it is appropriate to induce ovulation, there are several ways to do it. You should consult a physician to determine what is best for you.

 

[benidict]

I would definitely consult your gynecologist, and possibly and endocrinologist. There may be a medical reason, which could be important. If there is not one, then it is worth the piece of mind to know that. If it is not too personal to ask, what is your height and weight? Are you extremely athletic?

If it is appropriate to induce ovulation, there are several ways to do it. You should consult a physician to determine what is best for you.

Hi Rock Happy. is there a way she could get the same effect naturally? Im not opposed so much on religious pricipal, but moreso on a health principle. Would you have any knowledge of ulternative treatments? A combination of vitamines diet and exercise for example? or have the corrected some or the more hazardous effects of the pill in the last 20 years. Thanks.