Doctor Says I Need Birth Control, But I'm Scared Of A Flare...Need Advice

[AshleyM]

I wonder if you all might have any advice for me?? I have not actually been diagnosed with IC, simply because I am a bit afraid to have the test done to diagnose it. But I share so many of the symptoms that you all do. And my bladder problems did not surface until after a surgery for an ectopic pregnancy that I had in July of 2003. 2 abdominal surgeries since then have only made things worse...

I have a problem with very painful periods, probably because I get ovarian cysts a lot. Plus, I am prone to irregular bleeding between my periods. My doctor, after my last surgery in January, asked me to go on birth control to take care of both problems. I tried a couple of different ones, and they both made me have frequency and retention. So I stopped taking it and just made do the best I could. Well, this month the pain (a cyst most likely) is back, and here I am, only 2 1/2 weeks after my last period, bleeding again. I am so frustrated!! I know my only options are going to be the birth control or a hysterectomy, and I am very afraid of a hysterectomy after all of the horror stories I've read.

What should I do?? Do you think that birth control patch that I have seen advertised might affect me any differently than the actual pills?? Or could anyone here give me an idea of a certain birth control that might have worked for them without bladder side effects?? I just don't know what to do. I suppose I could just try and live with the pain and the bleeding, but that is almost as frustrating for me as the bladder issue.

What would you all suggest??

Thank you :)

[waterflow]

Hi Ashley,
I have tried a few different birth control pills to find the one that worked for me. I do know it helps a whole lot with the IC pain. Plus I don't have to go through the cramps, bloating ect. each month. Sorry to hear you have the awful cramping too then. I am on Yasmin birth control which is a new one out. Only problem I had with it was the first month my legs would ache. Otherwise, it has been fine for me. What about the birth control they put under the skin? Can not think of what it is called. Or how about the birth control shot? Imagine you know that there are tons of different pills to try. I didn't know there were until I saw the chart in the doctors office. Was having a hard time with the first one and figured there were only two kind. I take mine so I only have my period every 3 months. Hope you find one that helps you. Maybe someone else will answer you questions who knows more about this.

[tbokay]

I've been on Ortho Evra b/c patch for almost 2 yrs. It has helped with my cysts and irregular periods. Starting in June, my primary suggested I use a patch every week to eliminate my period. But since I was ill last week and on antibiotics and my whole system is just messed up, I've had brown clotty discharge for the last 5 days.
I like the patch cuz I only have to change it once a week vs remembering to take a pill every day (which I hate taking meds!!!)