Re: Long term use of birth control

[Guest guest]

I was on the pill for about 15 years. I quit suddenly when I was diagnosed with fibroids. My doctor didn't recommend it, but I did it anyway. He said you never know if your own balance of hormones could cause them to grow more or not and that most birth control pills now have low hormone doses.

I felt like I just wanted to be living naturally again - no medications of any sort. It really has caused no problems for me. On the pill, my cycle was only five days. Even with an 18-week uterus due to fibroids, I never bled heavily. Once off the pill, that has not changed. I've kept a regular cycle, although it's seven days now, instead of five. The first few and the last few days are very light. I only have about two to three days of medium bleeding.

So, because my fibroids are asymptomatic in terms of bleeding, mine may not be the most helpful response. Since going off the pill, I've been having pelvic exams every six months and the doctor has noticed no noticeable growth, so I'm going to continue this way.

By the way, now that I think about it, I haven't noticed the twinges of sensitivity that I had before, but I also changed my diet to cut out meat (except fish). I probably won't ever go back on the pill, although my husband and I have opted against having children. I guess I'm now leery of all synthetic hormones (actually, pharmaceuticals in general). Best of luck with your decision,

B.

[Guest guest]

I am also interested in knowing the long term effects, I just stopped taking

the pill three weeks ago, I was on it for eight years and hoope to get

pregnant in the spring. I received several different opinions from three

different doctors regarding stopping and the growth of fibroids. I have not

yet had a period off of birth control. I have several small fibroids and

worry about growth Sandy

>From: lisajo2@...

>Reply-To: uterinefibroidsegroups

>To: uterinefibroidsegroups

>Subject: Long term use of birth control

>Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 02:48:35 -0000

>

>I have been on the pill for about 23 years with no problems. About 3

>years ago, my doctor found the first fibroid but it stayed small

>until now. Its now about the size of a softball. I have asked him

>if I should get off the pill since I have read about the estrogen

>feeding the tumor. He said no. I do not have the profuse bleeding

>and just a small amount of twingy pain so I am reluctant to get off

>as the bleeding might begin. Has anyone else been a long term use of

>BC and suddenly stopped? What were the results? I am afraid I will

>have bad results either way.

>

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[Guest guest]

Have you changed pills. My fibroids began growing when I switched to the pills with the different hormone level each week. I stopped taking BC's all together, no problems since 97.'

[Guest guest]

Have you changed pills. My fibroids began growing when I switched to the pills with the different hormone level each week. I stopped taking BC's all together, no problems since 97.'

[Guest guest]

ninaney@... wrote:

Have

you changed pills. My fibroids began growing when I switched to the

pills

with the different hormone level each week. I stopped taking BC's all

together,

no problems since 97.'

I don't know if you're talking to me,I'm Bonnie and I've been posting about

the use of progesterone and fibroid growth.I'm on progesterone(not Provera)

for 14 out of 28 days.This dose of progesterone is not sufficient to provide

birth control.I am taking the progesterone to control heavy bleeding,and

yes the dose was put up from 200mgs per day for 14 days to 300mgs for 14

days.It has,so far,worked wonders.I went from very very prolonged and heavy

periods to almost nothing last cycle.The bleeding was so scant and it only

lasted 2 maybe 3 days maximum.That's why I'm so concerned about fibroid

growth and progesterone use,because it is working almost like a miracle

to keep things under control and from some of the stories I am reading

about awful bleeding I wonder if it might work for some others in our group,but

of course its very important to find out if its helping the bleeding but

making the fibroids worse.Bonnie

[Guest guest]

ninaney@... wrote:

Have

you changed pills. My fibroids began growing when I switched to the

pills

with the different hormone level each week. I stopped taking BC's all

together,

no problems since 97.'

I don't know if you're talking to me,I'm Bonnie and I've been posting about

the use of progesterone and fibroid growth.I'm on progesterone(not Provera)

for 14 out of 28 days.This dose of progesterone is not sufficient to provide

birth control.I am taking the progesterone to control heavy bleeding,and

yes the dose was put up from 200mgs per day for 14 days to 300mgs for 14

days.It has,so far,worked wonders.I went from very very prolonged and heavy

periods to almost nothing last cycle.The bleeding was so scant and it only

lasted 2 maybe 3 days maximum.That's why I'm so concerned about fibroid

growth and progesterone use,because it is working almost like a miracle

to keep things under control and from some of the stories I am reading

about awful bleeding I wonder if it might work for some others in our group,but

of course its very important to find out if its helping the bleeding but

making the fibroids worse.Bonnie