Diabetes and Birth Control Pills

[ladycdb]

I've been a type 1 diabetic for 12 1/2 years.  My doctor took me of Humulin N because A1c was 5.5 and I would experience lows through out the day.  With diet and exercise, my blood sugars were pretty good.  When my gynecologist put me on Birth Control Pills, seems as if my blood sugars got worse.  The next prescriptions would be Glucophage twice daily.  Things didn't get better.  This medication was discontinued and I was prescribed Glucovance.  Oh my God.  My blood sugars soared to over 400.  I ended up in the emergency room twice and immediately was put back on Humulin N (20u in the morning and 10u at bedtime).  After doing research, I found out that birth control makes diabetic women blood sugars worse.  Has anyone hears of such?

[JDRF-Team-ES]

Birth control pills, as you have found, can cause a rise in your blood sugars. My understanding is that the hormones in birth control pills can interfere with the effectiveness of the insulin you take.  This doesn't mean you can't use birth control, it just means you may need to test more often and adjust your insulin to meet the requirements of your body on birth control.  You may want to ask your doctor to prescribe a birth control pill that has a lower hormone dose.  

I was a little surprised that your doctor put you on an oral medication after having done so well for so many years on insulin. I am not a doctor, but my understanding of Type I is that insulin is the only medication that will work since our bodies are not producing any insulin.  I think it is unusual for  a Type I Diabetic to be taken off insulin and to be able to remain in control with diet and exercise alone. But, then again, diabetes does affect each person differently.  I would encourage you to always discuss any changes in your insulin with an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes.  An endocrinologist will also be able to help you manage the impact of birth control on your blood sugars.  There are so many new insulins out there.  Your doctor should be able to recommend a routine that you can live with, without execessive lows or highs.  Good luck.  Diabetes can be a challenge and there is always something new to deal with.
ES

[Christie2004]

There are also many different formulations of BCP's out there...and trying different types may be helpful to you and your diabetic control.