Can birth control aggrivate IC?

[sarahmichelle81]

I began using the nuvaring birth control last March. I started feeling bad about a couple months after I started using it. In the beginning of August (this is all before I was diagnosed with IC - I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago), I went to the doctor complaining of pelvic pain and he changed my birth control to a pill form. That seemed to make it worse! I stopped using it after the first month. My husband and I are now using condoms or my diaphram. It seems as if almost every form of birth control bothers me, although I have had the best luck with the diaphram. Has anyone else had a similar experience with nuva ring or birth control pills? I thought I read somewhere that progesterone can make IC symptoms worse and estrogen can make them better. Is this true and does that relate to birth contol since it has both of these hormones in it?

Is there any birth control pill that is better for ICer's? Please advise!

[Sarojini]

I think it depends on the ICer... many say going on the pill makes them feel better, because the hormones become more regulated. In fact, many ICers are now going on the new Seasonale bc pill, because it allows you to have just four periods a year. Many ICers think this is a godsend because they flare during or just before their period even if they're on the regular pill.

I've been on the birth control pill for the last 10 years so I have no idea what my IC would be like if I stopped, so I can't really give you any personal experiences here... however, I can suggest that you and your doctor look for a brand of bc pill that is higher in estrogen than progesterone -- some are a bit progesterone heavy and can cause other side effects besides the ones associated with IC. Or, you could try, for example, Ortho-TriCyclen LO, which has lower levels of all the hormones if you think the high levels in your current pill bother you. It's brand new, and I think if you go to their website you can get a coupon for a free month or two! :)

As for condoms, make sure you get the kind that are just plain -- no sperimicide or anything. I used to find that the spermicide/lubricant on condoms used to make me itch and burn down there. Then, find a nice, non-irritating lubricant that you can use with the plain condom instead-- my husband and I like one called Liquid Silk, which you can buy at etiher http://www.goodvibes.com or http://www.drugstore.com. While we no longer use condoms, we still use the Silk because it just reduces friction and makes IC sex more pleasant :)
Good luck!!!!!!

[Imustpee]

I have been on Loestren for 3 months to make my cycle totally stop. Every period sucked with the pads rubbing all the time ....yuck..so, with me being almost 44 and my baby boy being 19, I told my gyno to make it just stop, and we did.. :)

[kadi]

I was on birth conrol pills for 11 years. (Ovcon-35 for some of those years, Necon 1/35 for some of them). When I stopped taking them, the IC started 2 menstrual cycles later. I didn't want to go back on that formula, so went on Mircette which didn't help. Then went on Yasmin, which stopped the horrible twisting pain. Finally I decided to go back on the Necon 1/35 and that stopped the daily burning. I've only been back on it for 6 weeks, so I'm not sure what the final result will be, but I think I'm better on it than the other pills.

I'll probably never know if being on the pill so long & then stopping is what set off the IC or if I would have had IC much younger if I hadn't been on it.

Wish I had something more definite to offer you, but like everything else with this disease, it's all about trial & error on an individual basis.
Good luck.

[Katrina]

I believe any change you make with your hormones (going off or on the pill) can hurt your IC at least for a while. Basically by that I mean that after the pill has steadied you it is possible you are helped....if you feel hurt by it even after a time....I would recommend making sure you don't have Endo which could possibly be hurt by the pill . (atleast mine was) I hope you can find what is best for you and feel better!!!!

[XoChelsey03Xo]

I am on Yasmin. It's a birth control pill. Since I was 13 I went from birth control pill to birth control pill because of irregular bleeding. I was put on Yasmin about a year ago. I was just diagnosed with IC several weeks ago. Yasmin really doesn't seem to bother my IC. You might ask your gyn about Yasmin. They have a web-site. I believe it's www.yasmin.com Chelsey

[ICNJess]

I have had irregular periods since I was 12, and was finally put on b.c. when I was 17 after two large cysts ruptured. Ever since then, my IC was in full flare mode. I finally went off in May, and the pain isn't as bad as it was. I do believe hormones play a big key in IC.

[jamies]

I have been on the depo shot for about five years now that means i have not had my peirod at all. My uro wants me to stop and I am really nervous because I feel that getting my peirod back will make my IC symptoms worse.I really dont understand her reason behind it. I go to her next week as well is when my shot is due I am already getting the regular before the shot cramps and stuff like I am going to start my peirod but I dont and i dont feel well at all.

[Katrina]

:hi: Jamie....hormone changes cause flare is most people. Why does your uro want you off??? Some people have theorized that IC is impart do to a hormone imballance. :grouphug:

[hollipop]

Estrostep, Orth Tricyclen, and the Orth Evra patch all aggravated my IC. Especially the patch.

[jamies]

I am really not sure but I find out more today when i see my uro. I dont know if it is the fact that I have been on it for so long that she wants to see what my body does with its own hormones and what not. I dont feel well at all though and i am afaird it is going to get worse. I am really nervous about today because I really dont know what to expect. What my next steps are going to be. Ive had the instills and therapy for my PFD and it is not working. But i will find out in an hour. Good luck to me

[sparklebabyprincess]

I'm on Ortho Tri-Cyclen I don't think it really made much of a difference bladder wise other then helping my periods not be so painful.
I will still get bladder pain but the cramping is not so bad.

[SillyPixie]

I was on birth control pills (I don't remember what kind) for the first time when I first got IC symptoms. I was 17 years old, and cutting the pill was the first thing I tried. I'm now 24 and a little over a year ago I noticed that my IC and vulvadynia was always way worse the week before my period, so I got back on the pill. I was taking a generic called Kariva and now I take Ortho-cept. The only difference is that Kariva has hormones during the first two days of the placebo week, and Ortho-cept does not. Right at first it seemed that it was making me worse, but now a year later, my IC is better than it has ever been, and my vulvadynia is sometimes better too. I have heard that Estrogen makes IC better, and also possibly Fibromyalgia better.

[green_the_fish]

Personally, I found that going on Ortho Tri-Cyclen improved my IC symptoms, as it eliminated my monthly flares. I started out taking it normally, but switched to taking it continously after a few months. Taking it continously helped much more. I look forward to going back on The Pill when I get some health insurance again.

[SillyPixie]

I also take it continuously - I stop it every three months and man I hate getting my period when I do. Did you know you can get birth control at Planned Parenthood? I lost my insurance recently and had my yearly pap at PP and got a 6 month supply of BC.

[rosesitty]

I'm on the Evra patch and the week I'm off is worse. I went off completely and I flared big time. Sammie, the hormone expert on the network, will chime in, I'm sure.

[eveslilith]

Before I was diagnoses with IC I was on again off again birth control pills and depo in a desperate attempt to find out what was wrong with me. Since being diagnoses I've been able to get my IC under control with elmiron, ditroban and diet (soy and coffee are the worst!).

Sooo to make a long story short my husband and I are going to try the pill again. We're currently using lubricated condoms but I think they cause vaginal burning.

Wish me luck!
:pray:

[redfaced]

Hi. I'm so glad to have found this site! I have not been officially diagnosed with IC yet, but my doctor thinks that is what I have. I am going back to her tomorrow and then will be sent to a uroligist for tests, so she said. I'm 45 and had never before had a UTI, but 2 weeks ago I got my first one and that's when it all started. The symptoms didn't go away with the 3 days of antibiotic, so the doctor gave me another round-- a 7 day round of Cipro. I'd never had a uti before, so I didn't know what to expect, so I assumed it took a long time to get over. But my friends who had had them before said they feel normal in just a day or two after starting meds. But after 8 days of antibiotics, still, no relief. I then went back in and a urine culture, which turned up no signs of infection, but I still had the horrible urgency, pain, and frequency, as well as abdominal bloat. The doctor said that IC is a possibility and to watch what I ate and drank, and to go off my antibiotics. I felt fine the day after not being on Cipro, so I thought it was the antibiotic that was causing the symptoms to continue. But here I am, three days after feeling good, and my symptoms are back. :mad: My ovaries felt like they were part of the problem at first, since I began my period on the same day I had the first symptoms, and I was bloated as well. I had never made a connection with the period and the symptoms. I thought it was coincedence, but now after reading that periods can be a flare, I wonder....

Here's my question, though. Last month I had begun using a progesterone
cream every night. That same month I got the uti, and then the bladder pain.
Could the cream have attributed to this condition, since it is a hormonal "help" in some ways?
Also, my doctor said not to work out for a while, to see if that helped. Does working out cause flares for anyone?? I can't stand the thought of not
doing any exercising!

Thanks! I'm really bummed about this. It's a horrible way to live! It's only been 2 weeks and I'm already depressed about the prospect of having this condition.

[Jiminni]

Has anyone tried the new Yaz or Loestrin 24FE pills that give you a period for only a couple of days? I noticed my period flares lessened. One thing though... Yaz can cause you to retain potassium. Is that bad for ICers?

[sschloss]

Hi,

I was on Yasmin and then switched back to Allesse and found it was better for me. Yasmin has some warnings about inflammation to check out. I think I'm going to try Seasonalle if that works well?? Four times a year sounds like plenty to me. Please respond if you have tried Seasonalle and find it good/bad/indifferent. Thanks.
:hi:
Stephanie

[sami4a]

Usually a BC pill that is a steady dose, higher in estrogen than progestin is the best type of pill tolerated by IC ers. Patches are fine for many. Yasmin seems to be OK for some and not others, Yasmin contains a newer type of progestin that seems to either work well or not at all for people. Dr. Vliett used Ovcon 35 a lot for her IC patients, I am sure there are many others.
Progesterone generally is the bladder pain hormone and should be used at the lowest dose possible to obtain results needed. Over the counter progesterone creams in my opinion, and the opinion of every medical professional I know are very, very foolish to use. They are not standardized, they overdose the person, and P is very slow to leave the system.
Natural progesterone from yams such as Prometrium also is not always tolerated with IC. I couldnt stand taking it as it gave me terrible vulvar and bladder symptoms, yet I could take a synthetic progestin made from testosterone with no problems. For an ICer to take progesterone you must have enough estrogen on board or it will aggravate the bladder.
The other possible BC device is the newer medicated IUD called Mirena which is a BC device and delivers only progestin into the uterus lining to prevent build up. It will stop all periods after about 3-6 months. It is currently being used for BC and menopausal hormone replacement and fibroid and heavy bleeding problems. I have one now, and love it.
Sammie

[sschloss]

Hi,

I tried an IUD about a year ago and had to have it taken out due to severe admonial cramping, the doctor had never pulled one before. This was before I was diagnosed with IC. Your post makes me wonder when my IC really started? I don't know what kind of IUD it was, except that it was supposed to be good for a few years.

[sschloss]

Hi,

I tried an IUD about a year ago and had to have it taken out due to severe admonial cramping, the doctor had never pulled one before. This was before I was diagnosed with IC. Your post makes me wonder when my IC really started? :bonk: I don't know what kind of IUD it was, except that it was supposed to be good for a few years. I'm thinking a Visectomy might be best for my man. We have one son, three and are too scared to try for any more. I don't know how I would keep up!

Stephanie