b.c. not work for anemics?

[albijuli]

I... didn't see this in the archives. It's an odd sort of question, but I thought I'd ask.

So my friend's telling me that Birth Control (or b.c.) doesn't work for anemics. Now, I'm on the pill primarily for control over my psycho two-week-long-and-heavy period, but I thought the decreased chance of pregnancy was nifty as well (especially since I might become active soon).

Now, I think Birth control not working just because of iron deficiency (or any type of anemia) is bullshit. but then again, I might be wrong, and I am asking. O.o I'm worried, and I don't want to needlessly be.

Answers, comments, suggestions, places that might help me answer this?

Comments

Doubt it

[ptilu.livejournal.com]

Sound suspicious to me, as I was put on BC *because* of my anemia (to make my periods lighter). Even though I wasn't taking it as birth control at the time, I'm sure my gyn would have mentionned it if it wasn't efective in that way.

Now, there are various kinds and various degrees of anemia, so maybe some more serious cases can be problematic... I don't know. I would think it's bullshit, but maybe if/when you become active you want to ask your doc to be sure.

Re: Doubt it

[albijuli]

Now, there are various kinds and various degrees of anemia, so maybe some more serious cases can be problematic...

that makes sense O.o

Re: Doubt it

[meth.livejournal.com]

I was put on BC *because* of my anemia

I was put on it for that reason also, and for protection. I really doubt my doctor would put me on it if the pill didn't do it's job. I've been on the pill [seasonale] for almost a year, and haven't had any problems.

[malantha.livejournal.com]

every time i've started bc, they tested my iron levels before they let me start. i don't know why really, i never bothered to ask, but maybe that gave your friend the idea that "low iron = no pill"

[sweet-tea79.livejournal.com]

It's to help figure out what kind of pill to give you. Many kinds of pills are used to treat IDA, or iron deficiency anemia. Some pills have extra iron in them, but there's no sense in giving you a pill w/iron if you don't need iron.

[couchpotatogirl.livejournal.com]

sounds strange to me. i have iron deficiency and i am on bc (and it works just fine) the doctor didn't even make a test. and if there would be any problem with anemia you would sure find it in the package insert.

and you know, you could just ask your doctor?

[albijuli]

she brung that up a coupla hours ago :P but the next time I see my doc I'll ask her.

[albijuli]

that is neat O_O
I got stuck with the Generic Eckerd Brand (Nortrel).
I wonder if they're others that do that...

[sweet-tea79.livejournal.com]

There are many kinds of anemia, but IDA (iron deficiency anemia) is the most common type in menstruating women. This is mostly b/c menstruating women lose a lot of iron in their periods b/c iron is a major coponent of blood. Birth control pills actually help correct the anemia by making your periods lighter, and some birth control pills go a step further than that by including iron in their placebo pills. Even if your particular brand of pill doesn't completely correct your anemia, the anemia will not compromise the pill's effectiveness.

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

your friend is misinformed.

[red-rogue.livejournal.com]

I'm anemic...and was on oral contraceptives for 4 years with no problems. I am now on the NuvaRing and still....no problems.

Don't worry.

[ilikemytie.livejournal.com]

I was put on BC because of my iron deficiency. (To make my periods lighter and such) Have been on OTC for the last five years or so. . . I think it's made me better. I used to get horribly sick around the time of my period. I still get a little dizzy, but usually taking an iron pill or going out for a piece of bloody meat (when I could afford it! I'm a forced vegetarian because I can't afford meat! *laugh*). . .

[http://users.livejournal.com/___evagination/]

I'm anemic, and I was on birth control. I never heard of such things, but that could explain my gettign pregnant on the pill and the patch. And the only thing that really stopped my fertility was the shot, and then now I am trying to have babies and can't. But um, I'd say that deffinatly makes sense for the more common B.C. to not work with anemics.

I'll research it more though, because now I'm itnerested...