HBP & Birth Control

[abbreviated-kt.livejournal.com]

For women with high blood pressure, what kind of birth control do you use?

My doctor is having a hard time figuring out why my BP is high and my medication won't curb it and he won't issue me birth control until it's down. Planned Parenthood won't issue me birth control without a doctor's notice because of the BP issue, too.

I'm considering going to a gyno and discussing a hormone free IUD, but I'm only 18 and in an only semi-serious relationship. Is the gyno going to turn me down because of my BP, too? Cause I can't afford to go and not get something out of the visit.

Comments

[cadetsandkings.livejournal.com]

I very much doubt they will turn you down.

I received a hormone-free IUD and I emphasized when conferencing with the doctor that I used condoms at ALL TIMES (at the time I wasn't on HBC) and am serially monogamous, get tested before I sleep with someone new, etc.

They seemed pretty happy about giving it to me.

[svexsal.livejournal.com]

This. Check out iud_divas for more info on IUDs. Most of us over there do not have kids and were able to get one fairly easy. And for those who weren't, it's a great means of support.

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

Many women with blood-pressure issues are able to use progestin-only hormonal contraception, including progestin-only pills, the Implanon implant, the Depo Provera shot, or the Mirena IUD.

Beyond that, there's no reason that I'm aware of that blood pressure should prevent you from getting a non-hormonal IUD.

[fleckerbug.livejournal.com]

Are you using condoms? I wouldn't use an IUD if you're not in a serious relationship. Some doctors like to be in your business and don't even want to give them to you unless you're in a committed relationship or even married because of the risk of severe uterine infection from STDs. It also might not fit if you've had children. They wouldn't turn you down for an IUD for high blood pressure, but perhaps for these other reasons.

In your situation, I would use FAM if you have the discipline for it and be very careful with condom use. I'd abstain from sex during your fertile time and use condoms any other time, both to prevent pregnancy and for STD prevention.

[jenn-possible.livejournal.com]

I have slightly elevated BP (usually about 130/80) and I'm one a regular combined pill (Loestrin). PP would only give me the progestin-only pill and they even said that I had to see a doctor before they'd give me that. But by the time I saw my doctor, my BP had gone down to 130/80, and she said that being pregnant is far more stressful on the body than slightly elevated BP and put me back on the combined pill.

But even if it's really high, your doctor should give you the mini-pill.