Think twice before taking oral contraceptive...

[JoyRenee]

I really appreciate this in-depth look (which also includes resources and additional information at the end) about the long-term effects oral contraceptives have on women AND their children.
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/2011/02/how-the-pill-can-harm-your-future-childs-health/

Read the comments after the article for more information as well.

I would also like to add that oral contraceptives, as well as certain other forms of birth control, are hormonal. Anytime we mess with our hormones we subject ourselves to complications later on down the road, including infertility, heart disease and other problems.

I am personally distressed by how often doctors prescribe these without giving the woman FULL disclosure about the effects, short-term and long-term. And how often they prescribe it for menial reasons if they are unsure or too lazy to help a woman fix a fertility condition (such as PCOS; too often women are told to just 'go on the Pill').

This is merely shared with you to offer insight and not condemn anyone for their choices or tell them what to do. I believe knowledge is power and we are often responsible for our own health care and obtaining information about any procedures, prescription, etc.

[Minigingerbread]

Exactly! This is spot on! I was once put on BC because I have a cyst after a miscarriage. I had only had one cycle of it and then thats it, I'm never gonna take them again. They messed up my cycles for a few months before my body went back to normal. I just do not understand, that when there are so many evidence out there for the relationship between taking hormones and cancer, doctors are still prescribing them like lozenges. For the same reason I am refusing clomid, and other fertility drugs, even though I have been ttc, to no avail. Plus, I have family history of cancer. So I'm avoiding them like plague.

[JoyRenee]

Vacuumprincess - well definitely call the insurance company and see what they'll cover. You may be surprised; they may cover it! I can't imagine why they wouldn't because a vasectomy surgery is a whole lot less expensive than a pregnancy and birth, LOL!

[emmiesmam]

i live in the uk and was put on the pill at 18 even though i have a tendoncy to high blood pressure i dont know why as i am fit and healthy, i'm the correct weight for my height. But all this caused problems in my first pregnancy as i got pre-eclampsia and delivered at 31wks as soon as i was well enough they put me back on the pill but this was a mini pill, well so they call it and this pill has no estrogen in it they say my body makes to much of its own estrogen so from the age of 18 to 26 not one doctor took me off that pill which caused me to have a high risk pregnancy that could have been fatal for both me and my baby.

[vacuumprincess]

I am 33 yr old.... soon to be 34.  I have always taken "the pill".  I love how it makes me feel.  lighter peroids, less cramps & great skin.

I am currently pregnant, due in early june.  My husband & I plan for this to be our last child.  

As I already stated... I love the pill.  However, I agree that it is not safe.  Especially at my age.

I don't think our insurance will cover a vasectomy for my husband.  It may cover a tubal for me...

Any suggestions????

[JoyRenee]

Thank you all for sharing your opinions on this! The article if you didn't read it was about how birth control affects your gut (which is defined as the path food takes to your stomach to intestines, etc. until you use the restroom). People with irritable bowels or other gastrointestinal issues who have taken birth control pills should speak with their doctor because the pills MAY have been the reason for it. The article also speaks of how this can affect your children, possibly more adversely than it affects you.

I definitely agree everyone is different and will respond differently and has to make their own choices. I just wanted to put this out there for those on the fence or who need some information on it before making a choice! And of course to provide help for those who are experiencing adverse reactions and need info.

And I also agree with others on how BC pills affect mood, fertility, etc.

Limonada- it could be a complexity of issues contributing to the spotting. I do hope it clears up. Is spotting listed as a side effect for your pills?

[Heatherm4]

I was on birth control for a long time and originally stopped taking it because it had a HUGE effect on how I felt emotinally and mentally. I felt like a literal crazy person and when I stopped....I changed into a whole different person. Doesn't seem right to be pumping your body full of all these hormones. No wonder so many women have difficulties!

[Limonada]

I don't have time to read the article.....All I will say is that I never experienced any fertility issues (or other issues) after being on the pill the first time - and I was on it for about 5 years straight.  We conceived our first son within 2 months of being going off of the BCP - and we weren't even trying!

I've gone back on the combination pill in the last couple of months since stopping BFing my second son....and I'm having problems finding one that works for me.  I've never spotted in my life, for any reason....and now I am.  In my case, going back on the pill is temporary - my DH will be having a vasectomy later this month.  

I'm not sure what's going on....but I suspect my hormone levels are just really out of whack still from being pregnant and the months of BFing.  All I do know is that I can't wait to be done with all forms of birth control!!!

[tiredbuthappy]

I was on hormonal birth control for many years, and it did do wonders for regulating my cycles, which were all over the place and very painful. Also worked as a reliable contraceptive for me. I haven't been on them for over 4 years. I didn't feel comfortable going back on after having my first, mostly because it effected my sex drive. I am now **so** glad I didn't go back in to it, as I have brain tumors that often grow with hormones. It doesn't cause them, but it has been suggested female hormones increase growth rate. I think it was my last pregnancy and breastfeeding that made them grow as rapidly as they have. I will not be going back on them, ever.
However, despite this, I do still believe in them. My younger sister is on them and I don't think I would tell her to stop. The benefits for her (terrible, painful cycles) outweigh the risks. Not to mention that she is in college.

[chantal21]

Thanks Joy! I will check it out and make sure it is safe, If not, I will check my local library for it.

[JoyRenee]

All the more reputable sites don't show it (like hulu). I do know Netflix lets you watch it instantly on Instant Watch or if you get vids by mail you can get it in the mail.

[JoyRenee]

May want to make sure that site is safe before doing anything. I double-checked and you do have to download content. Do you have a local library? Perhaps they have a copy?

[JoyRenee]

I watched it on letmewatchthis and I think you just need Adobe Flash Player but I can't remember. I don't think I had to download anything, which is nice!

[chantal21]

Joy, is there somewhere online you can watch The Business of Being Born? I thought I had seen it, but I think it was just the trailer.

[Linzola1]

I havent had a lot of time to read the comments, but I took borth control when I was younger due to irregular peroids and I actually got pregnant while taking it and had a miscarriage the month before I had my DS. My ec husband wanted me to take it, but I couldnt because of what it did to my hormones... My husband now respects the fact I dont want to take it and we may have 5 kiddos lol but the side effects now and in the future really scare me!!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I've used oral contraceptives, I've also used plenty of other medicines...HOWEVER.  I do agree that there is NEVER enough information on the effects of these.  

After coming off the pill last time messed my cycles up for many months I told DH I'm NOT going back on hormonal birth control.  If he is totally opposed to more kids he knows where to go for a vasectomy.  

I have not read the article yet but plan to when I have more time.  

[JoyRenee]

Ironically someone just posted this as I was writing and mentioned Pitocin:
http://bringbirthhome.com/birth-experience/role-of-oxytocin-during-childbirth/

Of course they didn't go into serious depth about the complications and risks of using it. But one thing she didn't mention that I must is that Pitocin has to be increased gradually. Unfortunately some doctors will start it off too strong or crank it up too fast, causing both mother and baby to go into distress and having to have an emergency cesarean. Doesn't *always* happen but doctors DO abuse it.

[JoyRenee]

I agree there are plenty of more holistic approaches to dealing with problems we face. Even simple diet changes or using products without chemicals/hormones can help with acne or other ailments.

And this is a major problem with American medicine. We never devote enough time/years to studying a drug, specifically in women's health. For example women were given drugs a few decades back (I forget what they were called or what they were for but I can try to find the resource I'm thinking about) and their babies were born without limbs. I think The Business of Being Born actually talks about it.

So anyway we constantly put new medicines on the shelves without fully knowing the serious repercussions until they've happened. The one instance I shared in my last paragraph is just ONE of many examples I have heard of. And some drugs (including Pitocin and Cytotec) are still being used today when they've been proven to be very harmful.

[chantal21]

I think that's a great article! I have never taken any form of BC in my life but I had no idea about the issues it could cause to your gut. Being on antibiotics for more than half of my life, I know about gut problems! I still have issues and am trying everything to get my body under control. Personally, BC is still something that's pretty new in our society and the one thing I never understood, is why doctors would prescribe young girls (16-20) the pill to help correct acne?! I had 2 friends (at the time they were 16 and 18), one of them suffered from acne and one suffered from heavy, painful periods. They each went to the doc, and were told that the pill would correct their situations. As far I know, it never helped, and I fear they have somehow caused some other damage that they are not aware of yet. Why has the pill become the "miracle drug" nowadays? What happened to good old natural remedies or diet change? It just makes me sad to see the pill given out almost like it's candy and no one truly knows the side effects it could one have on the body because doctors don't usually explain everything. Like you said, I'm not condemning anyone here. My friends know how I feel about the pill and they still love me, and I told them that's a choice they made and they felt it best. I just feel differently about it and take different approaches to fix my body.