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Willing to risk low-dose birth control to feel "normal" again!

ogleme posted:

Is that foolish? What is your experience?
My story: I was diagnosed as perimenopausal at 38. I am now 49 and haven't had a period in nearly six months.
I finally got on a low-dose birth control pill a few years ago, and felt like a brand-new person a couple of months later. I stopped taking it because I started smoking again.
Now, even though I still smoke (no preaching, please; I know I shouldn't smoke and have a quit date of Oct. 1, when I will be taking Chantix), I'm willing to risk the problems that could happen just to be able to function more normally again.
My menopause symptoms are so severe that it interferes with my ability to work, care for my 8-year-old (a 41-year-old birth, which is a whole other story!!!) and cope with life in general.
I am in very good health, packing only the menopause fat around my middle, have perfect BP and a healthy heart (I had it checked last year as a preventative measure and for my own peace of mind).
All in all, I think getting back on the Loestrin is worth the associated risks.
But what say you, panel and experts?

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1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Willing to risk low-dose birth control to feel "normal" again!Is that foolish? What is your experience? My story: I was diagnosed as perimenopausal at 38. I am now 49 and haven't had a period in nearly six months. I finally got on a low-dose birth control pill a few years ago, and felt like a brand-new person a couple of months later. I stopped taking it because I started smoking again. Now, even though I still smoke (no preaching, please; I know I shouldn't smoke and have a quit date of Oct. 1, when I will be taking Chantix), I'm willing to risk the problems that could happen just to be able to function more normally again. My menopause symptoms are so severe that it interferes with my ability to work, care for my 8-year-old (a 41-year-old birth, which is a whole other story!!!) and cope with life in general. I am in very good health, packing only the menopause fat around my middle, have perfect BP and a healthy heart (I had it checked last year as a preventative measure and for my own peace of mind). All in all, I think getting back on the Loestrin is worth the associated risks. But what say you, panel and experts?

Mary Jane Minkin, MD responded:

Dear Ogleme,
A couple of thoughts. Most gynecologists do not feel comfortable recommending oral contraceptives to smokers over the age of 35, on a regular basis because of the risk of heart disease. One option you could consider, pending your stopping smoking, would be to use a low dose transdermal estrogen patch or gel, which would not increase your risk of blood clots, but certainly could help you become more comfortable. You would need to take some progesterone every two months or so, to induce a withdrawal bleed, if you don't get one on your own (to clear out the lining of the uterus). Of course, the patch will not shut down any remaining ovarian activity that you have (so you still may notice some fluctuations) but it can replace some of your estrogen, and you well might feel better. Good luck on your antismoking campaign; hope it goes well for you.
Mary Jane

Report This| Share this:Willing to risk low-dose birth control to feel "normal" again!Dear Ogleme, A couple of thoughts. Most gynecologists do not feel comfortable recommending oral contraceptives to smokers over the age of 35, on a regular basis because of the risk of heart disease. One option you could consider, pending your stopping smoking, would be to use a low dose transdermal estrogen patch or gel, which would not increase your risk of blood clots, but certainly could help you become more comfortable. You would need to take some progesterone every two months or so, to induce a withdrawal bleed, if you don't get one on your own (to clear out the lining of the uterus). Of course, the patch will not shut down any remaining ovarian activity that you have (so you still may notice some fluctuations) but it can replace some of your estrogen, and you well might feel better. Good luck on your antismoking campaign; hope it goes well for you. Mary Jane

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