scared to try birth control

[megancolleen]

I've been thinking about going on birth control (of the pill variety) but I was just searching the subject around the forums here and it seems a lot of people's IC was worsened by the pill. I'm doing pretty well lately IC-wise and I don't want to rock the boat. However, my partner and I are having problems with condoms, and our sex life is suffering. So I'm not sure what to do. And I also don't know anything about the different types of pills....like which are best for the bladder. Any advice about this would be very appreciated! Thanks! (Oh, and I'm also on Elavil 40 mgs).

[rachann]

I was on Ortho Tricylen Lo for a long period of time and did not feel like it was the reason for any of my flares. I've gone off of it due to laziness and not getting my yearly pap scheduled. I feel I have the same amount of ic flares as I did on it. My periods a triggering worse ic flares so I am considering continuous birth control or the shot. Periods are just to miserable anymore. I wish you the best of luck!:angel:

[Pac168r]

I have been on for 2 months now. I think it is helping my IC. The first few weeks my body needed to adjust, but I have been eating a lot more food lately and no flares. Plus I got off Detrol.Thank God, no more dry mouth and other places!

[GriffsMommy]

I've been on birth control pills for almost 10 years non stop except for when I was pregnant. So I don't really know if they would be bothering the IC because I didn't have IC when I started them. I don't think that they have anything to do with flares. I do get really bad flare ups when I get my period so my doc is going to have me start taking the birth control pills that I am already using continously, so I won't take the last week of fake pills. I have endo in addition to IC and she's afraid to change my bc pills when they have worked so well for so long.

[mom_in_ma]

If you're not planning on getting pregnant in the future...think about an IUD. They have a copper type that does not have any hormones and it is 99.9% effective. When I had one, I loved it.

[tahini16]

I used to be on the pill but I always forgot to take it and the higher dose of hormones made me sick. I switched to the patch which is annoying then my gyno put me on the Nuva Ring. I highly recommend it. It also helps with lubrication issues which as many of us know, are very common with IC. It does not have a negative effect on my IC and it's so easy to use. Just put it in and forget about it for three weeks. IUD's have too many complications and increase your chance of infections. Whatever you decide, don't smoke! (if you do) Do whatever makes you most comfortable. That's really what it comes down too. Just know how to read your body and remember, you can always change to something else. Good luck!

[Sarilou81]

I was diagnosed with IC after I started using BC. My first experience was Ortho-Tricyclen and I have an absolute horror story about it. However, I've been on depo-provera (1 shot every 10-13 weeks) for 5 years and have not experienced any flares associated with it.

[MeganAnne]

I went off birth control about a year ago, and have improved slightly since then. It was ortho tri-cyclen lo. I'd like to go back on (I don't trust condoms much) but I've found since I've been off the pill I've gotten slimmer and feel much healthier and natural. I like having regular periods so I can know things are working down there. That may sound strange, but I'm not sure how else to describe it.

[WingedOne]

I recently switched from the patch to seasonale so that i would have fewer periods because my main trigger is hormone changes that occur around that time of the month and i am now switching back to the patch ... it worked so well for me, the day i switched to the pill i flared up worse than i have in over a year ... also i was super emotional so i know it was really messing up my hormones ... I would recommend the patch because it has really helped me. Good luck!

[Shannonmarie018]

I've been on birth control for over 5 years and I don't think it affects me at all. I think it just depends on the person. I'm honestly happier on it, my periods are much more bearable. Try a low dose birth control. it all depends on the person. Don't be scared but realize that it takes awhile for your body to adjust.