IBS worsening on birth control

Hi, i'm new here so i have a couple questions. about 4 years i go, i became anorexic and lost a significant amount of weight. right around this time, i started to have symptoms which turned into ibs. The only time i didn't have bloating, constipation and diarrhea, gas, stressed related problems was when i was on Zoloft( which made me gain weight). My weight stabilized for a while, but then this year I began on birth control pills in January. And boy, did my symptoms start to skyrocket. I was so bloated, I couldn't eat anything without gas, and my ibs symptoms at my period time were even worse than they had ever been. I went off it for a month, and then went back on it. In the past year, i've tried 3, and am now on the first one that I was using before. What I can't figure out is if this is causing my stomach problems, if it's making it out of control. I never used to be this bloated or in so much stomach turmoil. My gastro can't find anything, which is why she's sending me for an upper gi and a colonoscopy( i'm only 20 by the way), even though she thinks I have IBS. Is it possible that my body is too sensitive to birth control and therefore I'm reacting this way? As well, I've gained 15-20 pounds, I'm active 5 days a week, and eating very healthy. Also, my doctor just told me that amazingly, after being on it after about 2 months, my thyroid has slowed down substantially. Could all this be due to the pill?

[PPhelps]

I would go see a different kind of doctor. Maybe and endocrinologist or gynecologist. It could be hormonal.

[anom12]

Hi- yes, it could be the pill, which like PPhelps suggested- could be hormonal.  The pill changed your hormones.  It also can irritate some people's stomach which is why they usually have something in there about taking with milk or with food.  The other thing is that the Zoloft (not sure if you are still taking it) can be a factor, but usually any type of antidepressant should help relieve stress which can cause IBS symptoms.  Your issue could be the Zoloft.... you may need to try something else.  If they want you to gain weight- Paxil will more than do the trick.  I went from about 110 to almost 160 in 2years all because of Paxil.  Personally, it was awful and I only took Paxil for anxiety- I was only depressed after I gained 50lbs!
Investigate the Zoloft first, then the birthcontrol.  Try to stop the BC if you can and use another moethod since that will be easier to eliminate than getting of Zoloft.  If you take out the BC and you are still on Zoloft having problems, then you should try to swtich to another medication.  But do not do any of this without your doctor being involved.  Meds like that can have bad side effectes if you aren't weened off them in stages - no cold turkey- when it comes to those types of meds, you will know what feels right after a couple of days, so if switching off Zoloft is scary to you, just give it a try- you can always go back.  I'm 28 now and have had "IBS" forever...you should go through all the testing they want to do simply because it will rule out any other possibilites like Crohn's, H Pilori (again, can't spell), celiax, etc... these are all easy to test for.  The only bad thing about "IBS" is that you dont really know what is wrong- its kind of the mystery disease!  Understand that foods you eat can also make an impact.  For instance, it took me forever to figure out that anything with peppers in it makes me have a severe IBS attack... you may have a trigger as well.  Also, don't be afraid to switch doctor's until you feel comfortable and feel like you are satisfied with your diagnosis.  It took me like 7 gastro doctors before I finally found one that was really good.  She beleived me and didn;t just shrug it off.  You are in pain and you are suffereing, so you need to get some sort of help or relief.  Just understand it will take a lot of work on your part to figure out the cause.  The doctor can only do so much and then you are stuck playing the trial and error game to find out the root of the problem.  An example of why I loved my dr - for an entire summer i was in and out of my regular physician's office with a sore throat, testing for strep, never postive.  Anyway, it constantly hurt but we couldn't find a reason.  I was at my gastro one day and I happened to mention that my throat was killing me and then ended up telling her we couldn't find the cause...she found out in seconds...I had acid reflux and didn't know it.  At night the acid was in my throat and burning my throat, I couldn't taste it or anything like most people do becaue I was asleep.  I went on nexium for about 2 months and my throat was back to normal.  Anyway, moral of my story, is that you need a dr that will think outside the box and work with you from head to toe because every little thing wrong with you could be triggering the next.  I hope for your sake you just need to switch medication and do not have to suffer through IBS for the rest of your life.  Also- very proud of you for gaining the weight.  I hope you've tackled the anorexia.

[Helpmeplease18]

thanks. I've been off the Zoloft for about 3 years, so it shouldn't be that, as its been out of my system for a long time. The weight gain has nothing to do with that medication. My IBS has definitely been a result of my eating disorder and yes, I've pretty much tackled it all, but I still struggle with low body image which is a result of my IBS. I have to agree with you that I have to switch doctors, mine thinks that I'm making everything up. In the new year, I'm going to new doctors, as well as a naturopathic doctor. I know going through all the testing will rule out everything and I can tell you that nothing will come back as positive. My only problem is that I am about 90% sure I have endometriosis and therefore I have to be birth control to help it, or at least until I see a gynecologist who tells me otherwise. I know IBS is very touch and go, lets wait and see what you react. I've been on Dicetel and it only worked for a month. I used Metamucil, but for some reason my body is rejecting it. I've done all the right things, and some days are good, but majority of the days are bad. I don't expect my IBS to ever go away, I just want it to subside like it was 2 years ago. Obviously, now that I am hypothyroid my whole world is changing, which is affecting my IBS, but hopefully I can get it under control... just frustrated and wanting to give up (By the way, I am ok with gaining up to about 110, but 123 is alittle much for me...)

[anom12]

I can sympathize with the 110 target weight!  antyhing lower than that- i look unhealthy and right now i'm at 132 and i feel like a fat slob... but seriously...there are other people out there that wish they were 132, so no one is ever happy.  But I've had absolutley no self control and have just been eating like **** and not paying attention...so its my own fault.  Time to get back to a routine!
I'm sure you look fine, as long as you are a healthy weight and your doctor agrees..you are ok.  i just went for my physical and when they saw i gained 20 lbs since last year, he just said..you look good don't worry about it.  but for my own self-esteem, i need to lose it.  
a few things you can try to help with your ibs if you are constipated there's a tea by Yogi called Get Regular...funny name,  but if you take it at night before bed (let it sit and seep for 10 minutes) you should go the next morning...and not with pain like a laxative can.  i am now immune to all that **** and the tea seems to still work for me...metamucil, citrucil, all those just make me bloated.
avoid dairy if you can...you may be lactose intolerant (can happen at any age).
and keep your stress under control!  

[caleleix]

Where can you get this Yogi tea, I have not heard of it. I am reading all these logs with IBS symptoms and I am amazed at how many people this is affecting. I have a bunch of these IBS symptoms along with diverticulos. Looking for something to regulate things. I take Metamucil 2x per day. The only thing I have found that helps any of my IBS symptoms is drinking alot of water during the day. Water, 6-8 glasses per day has been the only thing that seems to help!  I have to make sure that I start drinking it first thing in the morning (2 glasses on my way to work) then several more during the day, slow it down in the evening. Anyone found this helpful?  

[paige3520]

Hi everyone--I have been having IBS symptoms for several years, but recently (within the last year), have found the gas and constipation to be terrible.  I am on birth control pills and another hormone (aldactone) for acne.  I noticed that the week I had my period, and wasn't taking the pill, my abdominal discomfort seemed better--I thought maybe it was the ibuprofen I take for the period symptoms, but then realized that during the rest of the month ibuprofen makes no difference--hence the idea that maybe the pill is causing a lot of my discomfort.  I have also been on different anti-depressents, which seemed to make the IBS symptoms worse--which I know is supposed to be the opposite.  I wish I knew for sure what would help and what isn't going to make any difference.  My adult acne (I'm 41) can be terrible, so going off of it won't be easy, but I'm tired of having a stomach ache most days.  

[kybrill]

hi i have been suffering with ibs for over 13 yrs now..(my issue is diarrhea) and have been on elavil and belladonna for management with for the most part-good affect.recently i made a decision to go on microgestin and for 2 weeks felt my ibs symptoms improved even more besides feeling more "gassy" and "bloating".but 3rd week i started to have severe abdominal pain on/off during 2 DAY interval and felt i was constipated then following major diarrhea...do you think its the birth control that have made my symptoms go from good to bad?

[ginger17]

Hello everyone!  I just wanted to share that I went on birth control for the first time back in august and took it for about two months and in that time I developed severe ibs.  mainly terrible constipations, bloating, and gas.  I went off the pill in October and found that the symptoms subsided almost immediately, but never went away totally.  Now I have chronic IBS symptoms and I know that it was caused by the pill since I never experienced any of this before.  I am very opposed to the birth control pill now and will never go back on it.  It is very unnatural.  Tricking your body into thinking it is pregnant.  I know that it works for some women without consequence, but not this one!  My bowel function has ceased to work properly ever since I was on it.  Just another thing that I will learn to live with and I am only 29-so I understand the young girls on here that are suffering.  If it is possible, I highly recommend getting totally off birth control and seeing if your stomach problems become less.

[jls1983]

Hi. I just wanted to say that I never really had any IBS problems until this past year. I started on Loestrin Fe a few months ago and suddenly I am having chronic diarrhea. I tried keeping track of what I was eating to so if I coincidentally developed lactose intolerance but I pretty much deduced that everything I ate gave me diarrhea. The weird things is that before I started the Loestrin I spent many years on other birth control pills and I was fine. Is it possible that just the Loestrin has caused all of this? I only have two days of pills left before my period so I figured I would finish the pack so as not to disrupt my cycle. But I'm not sure I want to continue taking it. Anyway I guess what I am asking is did this happen to anyone else? And if so, what makes Loestrin so different that it causes such bad diarrhea?

[kitykat00]

I have found that my ibs symptoms increased considerably on birth control as well. I have been taking microgestin for about 9 months now (did 2 months on yasmin first then switched). It wasn't that bad in the beginning, but it seems to be getting worse each month with bad constipation and gas. My ibs had been bearable before, but on the birth control it seems that nothing I do helps and even eating simple things like bread causes problems. It is definitely the birth control and I don't know if another brand would be better or not. If there are suggestions please post.

[Lynn1983]

Hey everyone,
I'm on Yaz and have ibs D and have been experiencing tons of pain lately, along w/bloating, and even w/taking fiber its not helping.  Ever since I stopped taking the birth control I feel a lot better, what other birth control methods can we try that won't make us sick?  Besides the injection or nuvaband?  Also does anyone in here experience pain during insertion of the penis?  

[kitykat00]

I actually just went to my gyno and I feel pain when they do the pap smear and also during insertion during sex, but I thought it was because I've only started having sex. I really think that is why, but the doctor said I shouldn't be feeling any pain. Maybe it's the birth control too? She also said the birth control shouldn't be affecting my digestion. I think I am going to stop taking it for awhile and see what happens.

[jls1983]

Well, I went off the Loestrin Fe and guess what? Complete relief from the IBS. The chronic diarhhea disappeared as well as few other things that I didn't originally attribute to the pill. Including bad nightmares.

Anyway I talked to my GYN and he seemed surprised about the IBS complaints. Apprently it's not normal and he seems to think I'm crazy about the pill causing the symptoms. Althought I know for a fact that the pill was doing it because it was soo bad, and has since gone away.

I was on the pill before when I was younger and had no issues so it must have been this specific kind. I will be starting a new brand soon (Ortho Tri Cyclen) and will let you guys know if there is a chance that other brands have different/no side effects.

I've heard about the IUDs that you can get which offer birth control but don't have the added bonus of fewer cramps and shorter periods that the pill offers. Those might be another option.

As for the pain during insertion, it may be possible that the pill is affecting your ability to create lubrication and therefore making it difficult/painful to get the penis in there...every once in awhile I'm not all the way "prepared" and it hurts right during insertion. Then it goes away. I've read about birth control pills being a factor during this but I've never really had the problem so I haven't asked my GYN about it. If I think to ask, I will. I work closely with GYN surgeons on a regular basis.

In the meantime, if anyone else finds a pill that doesn't cause the IBS I'd love to know.

[orchid222]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! I started experiencing IBS after switching my birth control, too, but doctors have been telling me that it can't be the pill! After reading your post, I'm going off it, as well. I will let everyone in this post know if my symptoms subside. Since the problem began, I have lost about 9 pounds and now I'm also loosing my hair. I'm very concerned that my body isn't getting the nutrients it needs, since the food I eat seems to go right out. Has anyone else also experienced hair loss as a result of IBS? Or could this be unrelated?

[jls1983]

I've heard of hair loss from IBS. The IBS inflames your bowels and then the diarrhea occurs. But because the bowels aren't digesting the food correctly, they are also not absorbing the nutrients in the food that keeps your hair healthy. So you can have hair loss and numerous other side effects, like weak nails and loss of weight.

One thing I do is take a vitamin everyday for my digestive system. One of the colo-rectal surgeons that I work with told me that eating one yogurt a day would do wonders for my digestive health but I don't llike yogurt enough to do that. They nake a product that mimics the effects of the yogurt, I use Philips Colon Health but there are other brands, too. I find it really makes a difference in keeping me healthier. I've had mild IBS since I was a preteen and this stuff makes life easier. You might want to give it a shot.

[catmc]

I have had ibs since I was 14 and now am 43.  I started using bc pills at 16 and my ibs became worse.  I stopped using bc pills  in my late 30's to start a family and my ibs stopped.  I would have maybe one flare-up in a 6 month period instead of almost daily.  Then due to an ovian issue - I had to go back on bc pills and now it is back.  I have been trying different bc pills and they all have different effects on the ibs.  Yaz was the best for me but it is causing gallbladder problems so now I am looking for another type of bc pills.  Would love to quit all together but bc pills are the best way to contol pcos. And talk about hairloss.  I have lost 3/4ths of my hair with no hope of getting any back..  Birthcontrol pills have ruined my life so if you girls can find any alternative - DO IT.

[missdoodle]

Hi all -  I know this thread is pretty old by now, however, I had to comment. I've suffered for years with horrible stomach issues, and have seen so many specialists who put me through horrific tests and then said it was IBS...all the while being on the birth control pill. My life has been so affected by this, I've even had a job loss due to being out sick too often (with constant diarrhea) I've also missed out on activities and life events due to the sheer pain and exhaustion of my symptoms. I too had my first colonoscopy at a young age: 24, and then a string of other FUN little tests  - upper and lower GI series, ultrasounds, endoscopy and then another delightful colonoscopy at age 30. All while trying to hold a demanding job and not spend too much time in the office bathroom instead of meetings... so awful.

So FINALLY after 16 yrs on the pill, I decided to stop taking it, and after a few short months - WOW- I suddenly felt like a new person with a normal stomach again!!! No more issues at all, and much more energy too! I wish someone had told me to try this earlier, but no doctor suspected the pill could be the culprit. I even went back on it, reluctantly, due to monthly menstrual pain, and sure enough, my stomach was so bad again, almost within the first week of starting the new pack!!! That was the end of my pill taking.

So since I know my body better than anyone, i know now for sure, without a doubt, the pill caused my years of suffering with so-called "IBS" which by the way, is usually a diagnosis of exclusion as the doctors really don't know what else it could be.  

And I've read some of the previous comments about different types of the pill, but I've tried almost all of them and they all caused this issue or similar side effects for me. But again, throughout the  years I thought I had the IBS problem and thought it was just ME not the PILL. Doctors do not believe it or are not aware of it. Maybe they are not noticing all the complaints or similar cases to make the connection. At least I'm glad there is finally some light being shed on the Yaz/gall bladder link. I've had my gall bladder tested throughout my symptoms while on Yaz but without an exploratory type of surgery they were unable to know for sure whether something was wrong with it....other than frequent the pain on my right side and the usual stomach issues I had.

*Please...To anyone who could be reading this now and wondering if there's a link between the pill and stomach issues, please think about your history, your symptoms and try to see if there's a time that you can pinpoint. For me I realized my stomach problems started at the end of high school and worsened through college - within the first few years of starting the pill. You can try to take a break from the pill, of course use backup methods and just see how you feel. I think they will soon find many women have had this complaint for years and it's been misdiagnosed. I agree with an earlier comment, that it has ruined a good part of my life.

[happynat1]

I have just stumbled across this chat thread whilst searching IBS – Contraceptive Pill.

After a year of suffering and many times searching online for IBS related topics, this is the first time I’d searched about the Pill.

It’s remarkable how many stories there are. I just wanted to share with you my story as it’s the opposite to many of the stories I’ve read, although I’ve read a couple like mine also.

I have been on the pill for 16 years a on the mini pill (Noriday) for about 5 years and had no problems at all, approx a year and a half ago I became quite rubbish at taking it on time (you take it the same time every day with no break) I continued taking it irregularly and it was doing me no good, and of course would be having little effect. So I took the decision to come off of the pill for a while. I can’t remember the exact time but I know I was definitely off my pill in January of this year.
Initially I noticed I was starting to get the usual monthly period pains and headaches back, and every month these were getting a little worse and my period being heavier or lasting longer. I just figured this was down to the hormones leaving my system. Then around July 2009 I started to notice things happening like the bloating straight after eating, the wind! – so uncomfortable and awkward working in an office having to get up and walk out to try and ease the pain of severe trapped wind. Anyway after about 6 months of what I’d come to known as IBS Symptoms I had a few blood tests from the doctor and was told basically it’s IBS carry on avoiding Wheat (as I had started to do)

Feeling really upset and dejected my family told me to go back for a second opinion and to see if they could do more tests. I was at the point where diarrhea every day was the norm, social occasions were ruined, and I almost fainted a couple of times. By the time my period came round, I just wanted to stay at home in bed for a week as the symptoms were magnified. All very depressing and quite hard to deal with.

I haven’t gone back to the doctor for a second opinion, I have however gone back on my pill. I have taken approx 18 pills now (18 days) and I can honestly say that today, I feel like the IBS, has left my system. And yesterday, I went to the toilet ‘properly’ (trying not to be too graphic here) for the first time in what feels like a year.
I have eaten ‘normal’ bread on a couple of occasions, a chicken burger covered in breadcrumbs, and it’s amazing to find I’m not rushing to the toilet within minutes, and mt stomach is not swelling up to look like a pregnant belly.

The ladies I work with are amazed, as they know how much I’ve been suffering. It honestly feels like I’ve been cured. Which I know sounds ridiculous but it’s a complete turnaround compared to how I have been.

I believe there is a definite connection between IBS and the contraceptive pill. And that was before I searched online and realised there are so many people thinking the same. I would be interested to know what my doctor thinks but have been in there so often of late I can’t be bothered to go back in there. A colleagues Dad is a doctor however and she’s going to run it passed him to see what he thinks.

I’m just going to see how it goes and hopefully enjoy my friend’s wedding tomorrow, after months of worrying about it!!

[justcantgo]

oh my gosh so glad i found this chat, i too got a colonsocopy at the age of 20 and i have suffered from really bad ibs for years now and nothing workks, i recently went off bc, and wow like many of u said i was finally regular for the first time in my adult life.. i recently 4 days ago went back on bc and now tonight i find my self in soo much pain, so i am thinking that the birth control makes my symptons worse, gunna experiment with this idea! thanks everyone

[beautygirl]

Wow. I have suffered with IBS for the last 10 years and have tried everything known to end the pain, bloating and constipation to no avail. I thought smoking helped the IBS. I quit smoking and then all of a sudden had IBS. I took up smoking again about two years ago, and then my IBS symptoms were gone. I only smoked for about 6 months and was never a heavy smoker, anyway I quit smoking and then my symptoms were back. About a month ago, I went out and bought some nicotine gum, hoping that nicotine was the answer.........as I did not want to be a smoker again. Needless to say I chewed like 2 pieces and hated it, so decided that was not the answer.
Then it came to me.....about the time I stopped smoking I also started the pill after a long stretch of not being on it (and never experienced IBS in my youth) and that is when the IBS started. I also went off the pill the last time I started smoking and the IBS was gone. So now I'm convinced that the pill is the issue.
I'm going to try going off it for a month and see what happens. Wish me luck and thanks ladies for all the wonderful insight. :)

[rach148]

Hi everyone. Im 28 and have been suffering with ibs for about 5 years now but only diagnosed last year along with having a hiatus hernia. I have been looking at contaception options as i cant take the full pill due to family history of dvt but mini pill doesnt seem to agree with me. Since i was about 15 i have always had hurrendous period pain other than when i had my daughter 7 years ago and was ok for about 2 years and it returned. Doctors speculated fibroids and endometriosis but all scans were clear and hysteroscopy too. The specialists then told me following cameras both up and down(yes still makes me cringe too!) that the pain i had been suffering all these years was from my bowl as it was always on my lower right side....so after a lovely nurse told me about Mefenamic acid(anti inflamitory pain killer) i tried those for period pain, i started taking them. When i said i had pain every day she said to take them every day. My ibs symptoms were always worse in the morning with needing the toilet so much but now i take 2 every night before bed and if i need to 1 or 2 during the day which i generally dont...im finally getting some sort of normality back in my life. Im on omeperazole daily for the hernia, amytriptaline low dose so half a tablet a day to controll my reaction to food and watch my diet staying away from trigger foods....but i see a light at the end of the tunnel. Im not saying it would work for everyone but my god it has helped me.

[somewhereiniowa]

After reading this forum, I decided to stop taking my BCP's to see if it makes a difference.  I am currently on Seasonique.  I have been on BCP's for over 15 plus years.  I started taking Seasonale about 8-10 years ago then switched to Seasonique.  I take the pill continuous so I do not have a period at all.  I have a bad low back and would get terrible back pain.  I had read an article about 7 years ago in Ladies Home Journal that taking the pill nonstop to prevent having a period was okay to do and actually healthier for you.  I also had the okay from my Dr.

Over a year ago I started getting very bloated.  So bloated that sometimes it would make it hard to breathe.  Like all the gas and air build up was pushing on my lungs.  Also was very fatigued.  I didn't have any issues with BM's.  I had an endoscopy, colonoscopy, food allergy testing, gallbladder removed, food intolerance testing, stomach emptying study, various breath tests (bacterial overgrowth, lactose, and fructose), tested for ovarian cancer, thyroid, diabetes, and an ultrasound.  All of these tests were performed by about three different Dr's because not one of them could do all the tests performed.  All came up with nothing.  And not one of them suggested I go off my birth control pill.  

I have been off them since June 3rd.  I do notice some difference but it's not completely gone.  I told myself I would give it two months.  Hopefully in that time the pill will be completly out of my system.  I had a little bit of spotting one day for a period and that was it.  So I haven't had an actual period yet. I will report back later to see if this is what worked for me.  

Good luck to the rest of you and hope you follow back up so we can hear your results.