Birth Control after suffering a stroke and blood clot.

[silent-wispers.livejournal.com]

I just recently had a stroke, and a blood clot. Both were in smaller vessels but nonetheless I did still suffer from them. I had been on the patch for about two years, but for precaution I was asked to go off it, and I did. Now my questions to you ladies is have any of you suffered from either of these conditions and have gone on other types of birthcontrol that contained less estrogen. I have an appt. with the gynocologist next week, but I wanted to maybe get some feedback.

So, I'll thank you in advance for your feedback! ^_^

Edit: Here's another question I forgot to ask, since I've gone off the patch, and if I do start on another HBC do I need to wait until I get my next period before going on it?

Comments

[ericalorraine.livejournal.com]

you could try a POP (progestin only pill) and it contains no estrogen. The only problem is that you have to be really good about taking the pill. I suggest looking into them.

I'm also pretty sure the Nuva Ring has one of the lowest doses of estrogen.

[silent-wispers.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm taking so many pills for other things, I don't mind adding one more. I just wanted to know what some of my options might be. Thanks you!

[teri-lynn.livejournal.com]

Nuva Ring is pretty good, although they warn about progesterin(sp?). And also to let you know, there is a class action lawsuit I believe against Ortho Evra for not telling people about the huge increase of risk for stroke or blood clots. I saw an advertisement for it.

[silent-wispers.livejournal.com]

I knew about the risk when I went on the Patch. The doctors don't think the stroke was from the Patch, but from a car accident that I was in.

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

Given that you now have a medical history of blood clots (though you mention there may be another cause for the stroke), I would wager that your doctor will probably be leery of prescribing you a pill that contains estrogen... that's usually a red flag for many medical professionals when it comes to prescribing HBC.

Ultimately, though, if your doctor feels that estrogen would be appropriate for you, there are a number of low-dose formulations that you guys can discuss together.

However, like the original commenter said, you may wish to consider methods like the progestin only pill (POP) or Depo Provera, which contain no estrogen. Additionally, the Mirena IUD releases progestin, but no estrogen. You can read more about some of those options on our HBC Vulvapedia entry (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Hormonal_Birth_Control#Progestin-Only_Pills). :)

[silent-wispers.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my hemotologist was the one who made me go off the patch, I actually didn't want to go off it until I saw the gyno, but she insisted and I did.

The only thing I know about the IUD is that they don't like to perscribe it to woman whom haven't had children yet, and the side effects of the shot scare me, because I've seen waht it's done to some of my family members. I mean, it might just be them, and have nothing to do with me, and if I can I want to stay as far away from it as possible.

Thank you for all your help. I just want to know all of my options first, before I go in and I'm perscribed something that might not really be good for me, if that makes sense? Anywho, thanks again!

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

The only thing I know about the IUD is that they don't like to perscribe it to woman whom haven't had children yet,

While that's common in the United States for a variety of reasons (I understand in other countries, practitioners feel that it is perfectly appropriate for nulliparous women), it is possible in most areas to find a doctor who will insert an IUD regardless of one's childbearing history, and many women who don't have kids do have IUDs.

If you think this may be an option you'd wish to consider, you can definitely learn more over at iud_divas.

In the meantime, good luck!

[silent-wispers.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll look into it!

[invisible-witch.livejournal.com]

For completely different medical reasons (a small pituitary tumor) I had to switch to bc without estrogen, so I'm currently taking Errin (the generic of Micro Orthonor) which is a Progestin-only pill. My doctor and pill insert recommended me start it on the first day of my next period. My biggest complaint with the pill is how irregular my bleeding has become (which is a very common side effect of PoPs) and I was a little mood swingy the first month, but that evened out. Let me know if you have any specific questions!

[silent-wispers.livejournal.com]

So, how irregular are your periods since you're on PoPs? You have breakthrough bleeding? Or do you spot alot, then have a full blown period?

[invisible-witch.livejournal.com]

Ugh. REALLY irregular. I had two periods within the first two WEEKS of being on the pill. Then I didn't have another FULL period until more than two MONTHS since the last period XD; In between that time I had very random spotting, sometime lasting almost a week, sometime lasting just a day, but always pretty light. But I've heard the first three months are the most irregular. So yeah, hopefully now that i'm starting my fourth or fifth month things should start evening out.

[silent-wispers.livejournal.com]

(sorry it's taken me almost a week to get back) So, yeah..I came back from the gyno today, and she perscribed me the "mini-pill" and I'm a little nervous and excitied. Nervous, because I don't know if I can deal with the spotting, and excitied, because I finally have some BC. Yeah, I do hope things start evening out for you too! :-D

So, I do have a specific question, are you using your birth control without having to use condoms with your partner? Because me and my bf haven't used condoms since the first time we've had sex, not that I care if we use it or not, it's just kinda a little better without. So, yeah, that's my question, do you fully trust it enough to be without condoms, or other methods like spermicide?

[lindsey-nichole.livejournal.com]

To answer your additional question - no you don't have to wait. You'll just have to wait seven days after you start it to be protected :)

[silent-wispers.livejournal.com]

Ok, that makes sense! Thank you!

[scien.livejournal.com]

You do have to wait for your period if there's any chance that you're pregnant - just to make sure. But if you know you can't be, then yep, any time.

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Since, according to the World Health Organization's Medical Eligibility Criteria (http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/mec/cics.html), use of combined contraceptives, even lower estrogen ones like Nuva Ring, in someone with a history of stroke or blood clots is a category 4 eligibility criterion.

For a quick explanation of what the different categories mean, check here (http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/mec/howtouse.html). But essentially, Category 4 indicates "acondition which represents an unacceptable health risk if the contraceptive method is used," which may explain why many health care providers warn against their use in these circumstances.

However, as others have mentioned, progesterone-only pills are considered a Category 2 criterion (http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/mec/pocs.html), which indicates "a condition where the advantages of using the method generally outweigh the theoretical or proven risks." Generally, this means the method may be used. (From the table linked to above.) In the same way, progesterone-only shots, as well as the Mirena IUD and even Implanon, if it's available in your area, might be hormonal options that are good for you.

In addition, VP's Vulvapedia entry on Non-Hormonal Birth Control (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Non-Hormonal_Birth_Control) has other options you may wish to consider.

[silent-wispers.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the information! Sorry it's taken me so long to get back. I went to the gyno today, and she perscribed me the Mini-Pill, now the one thing that I did ask her if it was ok to be on contraceptives after a stroke, and she said yes, as long as it doesn't have estrogen. Though, now I'm kinda worried, because I've been hearing reports about progesterone causing strokes to, but I doubt after spending almsot 30-45 minutes with her that she would do that as well as knowing I've had a stroke and the fact that I have a pre-exsisiting condition.

Anywho, thank you soo much for the info, it helps a lot!