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Any advice or opinions on what birth control is better to use with Crohn's?
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What Birth Control is Best?
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afidz
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I think it really depends on your own personal needs. I was ono Depo Provera and I was fine on it and I know people on the pill that have done well. I dont' think I have heard many stories of women getting sicker because of the birth control they are on, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Have you been on any type of birth control before?
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I have been on the daily pill for 14 years now. Started out as a doctor prescribed method for the horrible body wide acne I was experiencing through puberty. I stayed on it after that without ever questioning it - now I am questioning every single thing I am taking or doing. I have been on Aviane for about 10 years, cannot remember the other names. I am just wondering what part the hormones play with everything and I don't see my specialist for a bit yet to talk this through. I may be completely off base but I am wondering if they could play a part regarding fatigue/healing levels.
I am leaning towards Depo, my only concern was the possible bone density loss, but I am hoping that can be monitored/managed through the supplements I take now to support my lack there. Did you have any problems with Depo?
I also was reading about Mirena, but with all of the problems people have with migration and perforation it worries me to take that gamble.
I am leaning towards Depo, my only concern was the possible bone density loss, but I am hoping that can be monitored/managed through the supplements I take now to support my lack there. Did you have any problems with Depo?
I also was reading about Mirena, but with all of the problems people have with migration and perforation it worries me to take that gamble.
I have been using an IUD for the last 2 years. I had paragard, which is copper. I had really heavy periods on it, which didn't help my iron deficiency anemia. The mirena delivers a small amount of progesterone in the uterus. I had bad acne and light spot bleeding the first 6 weeks. The acne cleared up and my periods are really light now. A lot of women lose their period completely. In the past I've used the shot, various pills and the nuva ring. I had really sore breasts with all of the pills and ring. I had spot bleeding every day with the shot. I was on it for a year and it never stopped. As far as perforation and migration, it's very rare. It's just with the Internet, we hear about horror stories more than women who do fine. I love not having to worry about getting pregnant for 5 years. The insertion hurts a lot, not the "pinch" the doc says. Take pain meds before. I had my doctor give me a big dose of valium too for nerves. I
I love love love my Mirena. I am on my second one. Had the first one in the full five years. Had a baby, and then got one put in again 3 months post partum. No periods, no side effects. Love it!
I did Depo as well for years, but didn't like the side effects. Need to be careful with it too, as it can soften bones, so people on steroids should really watch for bone loss.
Absorption can be a problem with the pill if you have lots of diarrhea.
I did Depo as well for years, but didn't like the side effects. Need to be careful with it too, as it can soften bones, so people on steroids should really watch for bone loss.
Absorption can be a problem with the pill if you have lots of diarrhea.
I approached my doctor about the pill around the same time my symptoms first developed. We didn't know what was going on at that time but he said that he was concerned with absorption and we decided to go with the Evra patch. The only down side was that the patch has higher levels of estrogen and this increases the risk of clotting. At the time it didn't seem like an issue, I had no previous clotting issues, non-smoker, no family history of clotting, and was active with a healthy BMI. Unfortunately, between the increased risk of clotting with crohns and the higher than normal risk for clots with the patch, I developed a DVT. After that I was put on the mirena IUD and I LOVE it! No side effects, no periods, and no more increased bowel issues that I used to have along with my period.
I think that afidz is correct in saying its very case by case, the individual risks and benefits should be discussed with a doctor familiar with your IBD and other history, but an IUD may offer some benefits for women with IBD.
I think that afidz is correct in saying its very case by case, the individual risks and benefits should be discussed with a doctor familiar with your IBD and other history, but an IUD may offer some benefits for women with IBD.
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I have heard that the pill is in great for women w Crohn's especially if you have alot of inflammation or have had resections----you may not absorb the medicine into the intestines well, and therefor you are more at risk for the pill not working and you getting pregnant. Therefore, the shot, the ring, and the IUD, and the patch are better options.
