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Birth control and UC


Tue, September 02, 2008 12:00 AM

I have found a few articles/studies online that mention oral contraceptives possibly causing UC:

 
 
I asked my GI dr about it, and when he looked it up on his computer, he found similar things about the relationship between combined contraceptives and UC. So, as advised by my GI dr, I stopped taking my birth control pills. But I am trying to find an alternative. From what I understand all birth control pills are "combined contraceptives" (2 hormones). I am wondering if anyone has looked into this and, if so, what did you do about it?
 
I am looking into the Deppo and the Nuvaring, but the Nuvaring is a combined contraceptive. I wonder if the oral contraceptives cause problems because it goes through the digestive track, or if the problems are caused by the hormones themselves? If the latter is the issue, than Nuvaring wouldn't be an option.
 
Any thoughts?
 
Thanks,
Mel

FPO geminisunset
Joined Aug 4, 2008

Tue, November 11, 2008 10:33 PM

 Reply posted for robin78c.

So, that first article you posted is pretty incredible.  It's actually a review of 14 studies between 1983 and 2007 and encompasses 75,815 patients.  Results were controlled for smoking and the analysis still shows an association between the use of OCPs and the development of IBD, especially Crohn's.  I'm sooooooooo bringing this up to my GI.  As for other options, I would recommend the Mirena IUC as well.  It's really the only non-hormone method out there, I think.  I have heard of people getting pregnant on it though when it had shifted out of position.  It warrants some consideration though, I think.

FPO fruitloop
Joined Nov 2, 2008

Thu, November 06, 2008 1:00 AM

 Reply posted for geminisunset.

I have researched options because after my last hospital stay my GI stopped my BCPs.  I am very sensitive to condoms and who wants to use condoms when your married.  I found that Mirena is estrogen free.  It is an IUD and lasts for 5 years.  I am no way close to remission so having another child is out of the question anytime soon.

FPO robin78c
Joined Nov 6, 2008

Tue, October 14, 2008 6:56 PM

 Reply posted for geminisunset.

thanks for the articles!  I had a baby 15 months ago and during the time I was pregnant I was flare free until 2 days prior to birth.  Then I was flare free until she turned 9 months.  Since then, I've had flares on every menstrual cycle and this last bit I've had a flare for 2 1/2 months - just as I think it's over, a cycle happens and it starts all over again.  I'm on Ortho Novum and wondering if I should switch...

FPO gellagirl
Joined May 12, 2008

Tue, September 30, 2008 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for geminisunset.

I am currently  on othro-tri-cyclen lo and not sure if this had anything to do with my developing UC.  I have heard in the past that taking ibuprofen would develop UC and when I was younger, I had cramps very bad so I would take 800mg on an empty stomach not knowing any better.  I just wonder if I get off the othro-tri-cyclen would I possibly feel any better.  I might try it because they way I feel today, I just want to tear my stomach apart-living with UC is no fun, I'm tired of it and ready for it to go away.

FPO durango18
Joined Sep 24, 2008

Fri, September 19, 2008 5:15 PM

 Reply posted for geminisunset.

My UC started abruptly a month after starting oral contraceptive. My doctor told me to stop taking it and I did but the UC didn't go away. That was three years ago. I've also found a tiny bit of research information on "oral contraceptive induced UC" but in those studies, they all say that when the pill is no longer being taken, the UC goes away. So in my case, it might have just been a coincidence. Maybe not. There really is not enough research out there to prove either way I think. But in my opinion, the two are related.

FPO nahhan12
Joined Sep 26, 2008

Mon, September 08, 2008 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for geminisunset.

I was diagnosed in July of 2007 with Ulcerative Colitis. For nearly a year every time I would have my period, my UC would flare significantly - blood, using the bathroom 30 + times a day, cramping, pain. When I discussed this with my GI, he wasn't sure that there is a connection with my menstrual cycle, but he would refer me to a GYN to see if there was something that might help. My GYN started me on the Birth Control Seasonique. I can't even begin to tell you how much this has helped my symptom of UC. Definately something to look into.

FPO racheleshaver
Joined Sep 8, 2008

Wed, September 03, 2008 3:40 PM

 Reply posted for geminisunset.

I will keep you posted I have been on Ortho Tri Cyclen for about 9 years now and I have tried different ones in the past I worked for an obgyn office for 6 years so any new bc that came out I tried (probably not the best move) but then I would go back to my ortho.
The Doctor that I see works hand and hand with a GI specialist at Stanford so any questions that I have that hes stumped on he goes through her so I will get the opinion from both.

FPO trissy
Joined May 20, 2008

Wed, September 03, 2008 2:37 PM

 Reply posted for Trissy.

Let us know what your dr says, Trissy. I am finding very limited information online, so this doesn't seem to be a widely known possibility.

FPO geminisunset
Joined Aug 4, 2008

Wed, September 03, 2008 2:36 PM

 Reply posted for aamandas02.

I was taking Yasmin as well. I was on Yasmin for over 6 years, and I never had any issues. But now that I have developed UC, I am wondering if Yasmin had anything to do with it.

FPO geminisunset
Joined Aug 4, 2008

Wed, September 03, 2008 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for geminisunset.

Very interesting post.  The very first time I experienced severe stomach pain was at the age of 18 when I started birth control for the first time (orthotricyclin).  After just a month on the pill, I went back to my doctor and we switched the pill due to the intense pain I was having.  It´s funny to think now after all these years I have developed IBS.  These days I take Yasmin and seem to do alright with it, so I´m not familiar with other forms of birth control.  Best of luck!

FPO aamandas02
Joined Sep 3, 2008

Wed, September 03, 2008 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for geminisunset.

This is something I am going to mention to my Dr. this week.
Thank you for posting this.
My problems all started a year after I started BC I am currious to see where this leads.

FPO trissy
Joined May 20, 2008

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