Thoughts on hormonal birth control...
Hi all! I know birth control is a very personal, important decision for people, but I am wanting to get some perspectives from you guys--since I know you're like me in being interested in natural, organic, healthy (etc.) things.
Besides that fact that it's decidedly un-vegan (as I'm sure the medical industry tests the stuff on animals--or did at some point)... What do you think about hormonal birth control? I have been on it for 4 years, and it hasn't been until recently that it started to make me wonder just what is going into my body... I avoid all hormones, pesticides, and other yucky unnatural things in my food, body products, make-up, etc. But at the same time, I am putting hormones into my body via birth control. (I know it's not the same kind, but they're hormones that my body isn't naturally making, nonetheless.) I have never had any problems with my birth control, and have actually experienced positive effects from it (about a 10 lb. weight loss, clearer skin, lighter & shorter periods, MUCH less cramping, and more even moods at that "time of the month"--I think; it's been awhile since I started it). But now that I am more into natural foods than ever before, I am feeling a little nervous about the long-term effects of putting this stuff into my body...
What are your thoughts on this? Please share! :) Also, if you're not a fan of hormonal birth control, what do you use instead? Thanks in advance for delving into such a personal topic with me!
I've done some research on this (and wrote an article, yet to be puclished) - the topic's very interesting to me.
did you know that the estrogen in birth control is turning male fish female? it's true...
50-90% of all active ingredients in the drugs we take pass through our bodies (yes we pee them out). they travel to water treatment facilities (that can't eliminate all the drugs) and end up in water systems. then, they affect wildlife.
want to know how? I won't get into the details (but it has to do with endocrine systems - that regulate hormones in the bodies of living things - being disrupted by the hormones in birth control. estrogen, along with other hormones and drugs are considereed "endocrine disruptors").
interesting...
Laurabs - I would love to read your article once it is published. Will you share?
Jessacita - I have thought about this a lot myself but I have resigned myself to accept it for now as my cramps when I'm not on the hormones are really unbearable and I consider myself one tough cookie when it comes to pain. But if you are interested in non-hormonal alternatives, a friend of mine swears by her non-hormonal IUD. She should be in a commercial she raves about it so much.
I also always had positive side effects when I was on BC. I went on it when I was about 14 to even out very heavy and painful periods. After my mother died from breast cancer I went off of it for a while and then back on. I have been off of it for about two years now and know that I will not go back on it. Besides my personal risk of breast cancer I just don't like to put anything manmade in my body. The only thing I will even consider taking now is antibiotics in a life/death illness. Otherwise I will just let things take their course.
I would not judge anybody for taking a hormonal BC. It is a very personal decision. I just know that it is the wrong one for me.
:'( i just went to the doctor & decided to continue the pill, i didnt really feel confortable changing somethign that is working so well for me
I have read the thing about male fish too... creepy...
It's something you have choosen to put in your body. And hopefully have researched.
DH and I avoid all those icky things that are organic/natural/vegan/green not to be "pure" but so that when we DO come across those chemicals and stuff (by choice or by accident) it isn't "adding to the pile" so to say... and so that once in a while we can CHOOSE to have something with food-coloring and other additives in it in it because (unlike my sister ::)) it isn't in every single thing in our house... poisoning us slowly... you know?
BC pills didn't work for me... too much hormome... I LOVED my nuvaring it's hormonal but much lower doses... BUT as you all know, I got pregnant while using it (it came out randomly when I didn't know it... or i forgot to put it in or something...)
I say just really look into the side effects and all that (exactly what you're doing by asking ;)) so that you can make an educated choice.
i use the non-hormonal copper IUD. apart from the initial pain during the insertion (like strong period cramps), and slightly heavier periods, i can't complain about it at all! i had a difficult time with hormonal birth control -- i didn't like feeling out-of-control of my own emotions.
the IUD's a great long-term option, because it lasts for 10 years. my insurance covered the majority of the cost.
I use the Creighton Model (http://www.creightonmodel.com/) and chart my cycle in Microsoft Excel. No surprises yet! ;)
I use the Creighton Model (http://www.creightonmodel.com/) and chart my cycle in Microsoft Excel. No surprises yet! ;)
I just went to that website & can't quite understand what it is exactly... Is it like the rhythm method?? ???
Laurabs - I would love to read your article once it is published. Will you share?
the article will probably go into my campus magazine - and will be available online. when it is, I'll post the link. :)
I use the Creighton Model (http://www.creightonmodel.com/) and chart my cycle in Microsoft Excel. No surprises yet! ;)
I just went to that website & can't quite understand what it is exactly... Is it like the rhythm method?? ???
Yep, it's basically like the rhythm method. Wiki has an okay article that gives the general aspects of the Creighton Model. It's basically about charting your cycle and paying attention to your body's cues to know when you're ovulating. Of course, if you're not a stringent Catholic or morally against barrier methods, you can use that in combination with the Creighton Model.
I use the Creighton Model (http://www.creightonmodel.com/) and chart my cycle in Microsoft Excel. No surprises yet! ;)
I just went to that website & can't quite understand what it is exactly... Is it like the rhythm method?? ???
Yep, it's basically like the rhythm method. Wiki has an okay article that gives the general aspects of the Creighton Model. It's basically about charting your cycle and paying attention to your body's cues to know when you're ovulating. Of course, if you're not a stringent Catholic or morally against barrier methods, you can use that in combination with the Creighton Model.
Very cool! The "rhythm method" has always made me really nervous because that's pretty much how my grandma & her friends unexpectedly got pregnant way back when... ;D But this seems more science-based. I'll have to check it out--among other suggestions! :)
I would say that fertility charting might work well for people with stable partners, if i was single i would get lazy about it if i wasn't having sex regularly.
I'm going to start charting soon but not have sex without barriers method because I'm too nervous. I just want to see how the charting goes.... :)
I think they have charting groups and stuff ... mothering.com has alot of people who talk about it.
I use the Creighton Model (http://www.creightonmodel.com/) and chart my cycle in Microsoft Excel. No surprises yet! ;)
I just went to that website & can't quite understand what it is exactly... Is it like the rhythm method?? ???
Yep, it's basically like the rhythm method. Wiki has an okay article that gives the general aspects of the Creighton Model. It's basically about charting your cycle and paying attention to your body's cues to know when you're ovulating. Of course, if you're not a stringent Catholic or morally against barrier methods, you can use that in combination with the Creighton Model.
Very cool! The "rhythm method" has always made me really nervous because that's pretty much how my grandma & her friends unexpectedly got pregnant way back when... ;D But this seems more science-based. I'll have to check it out--among other suggestions! :)
Yeah, it's a little frightening to think "jeez, what if I mess up?" but from the statistics I've read, it's just as effective if not more effective than hormonal contraceptives WHEN USED CORRECTLY!!! (Granted, that info came from a college lecture by a gynecologist who happens to be an advocate of this particular method...) Unplanned conception can happen with all other forms of contraception, though (except abstinence, of course ;) ). It's mostly just a matter of user error.
I was on the Ortho Evra patch for about two years before my gyno suggested the NuvaRing. I've been using that for close to a year now. I also have been thinking about the health risks and such but I'm really clueless on effective alternatives. I'll be honest, I like using the ring. It's easy. But I'd love it way more if I could find an effective easy birth control method that wasn't harming myself or others.
I LOVED my nuvaring it's hormonal but much lower doses... BUT as you all know, I got pregnant while using it (it came out randomly when I didn't know it... or i forgot to put it in or something...)
Here I thought I was worry free with the ring!
I personally see absolutely no harm in taking medication that you NEED for your body. Sometimes alternative methods don't work and you need something manmade that does. I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) when I was 15, and I have been on the birth control pill and hormone pills ever since. I've tried alternative forms of medication (ie, special diet, herbs, etc.), and none of them worked. I'd much rather be on a medication that does actually work and get the job done rather than suffer the embarrassing side effects of PCOS. My mom is huge into alternative medicine, and it took her 6 years to finally be convinced by her doctor that she NEEDED to take meds for her underactive thyroid. Sometimes you just have to, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I personally see absolutely no harm in taking medication that you NEED for your body. Sometimes alternative methods don't work and you need something manmade that does. I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) when I was 15, and I have been on the birth control pill and hormone pills ever since. I've tried alternative forms of medication (ie, special diet, herbs, etc.), and none of them worked. I'd much rather be on a medication that does actually work and get the job done rather than suffer the embarrassing side effects of PCOS. My mom is huge into alternative medicine, and it took her 6 years to finally be convinced by her doctor that she NEEDED to take meds for her underactive thyroid. Sometimes you just have to, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I definitely agree! I was just looking to get more opinions on the long-term effects of hormonal birth control & possible alternatives, should I decide that it's not the best thing for me personally. I have investigated so many other aspects of my health & body, and I thought this was a hugely important aspect, as well, and too big to not ask any questions. :)
I get the depo-provera shot. I needed something nearly foolproof. I couldn't remember to take my pills on time, forgot a lot of the time, tried the ortho-evra patch, didn't like how it would start peeling off after a few days, so I started on the shot about four years ago.
I don't get my period as a result of it, which worries some of my friends, but my doc says I'm completely ok as far as my reproductive health goes. I have been wanting to maybe try something different, but I love how all I have to remember is to go to the doctor and it's done for three months, and that I don't get my period.
I cannot decide. :-\
I'm actually interested in this topic as well and curious about alternatives to the pill. I was on the birth control pill for about 6 years or so, and it did horrible things to my body. I also had some issues with my doctor at that time as well, and when I explained what was happening she didn't help the situation. I stopped taking the pill roughly last November, and my body still has not completely gotten back on track. Since I went off the pill, I've resorted to using the same methods (that are sadly probably not vegan..) as I used before I went on the pill. I use a combination of a spermicide and a condom, as I'm deathly afraid of getting pregnant. I'm hoping that by this coming November (supposedly it can take a year for your body to get completely back to normal after taking the pill..), I'll be able to look into alternative methods. I haven't been to a doctor in a while, as my last one was so terrible, it's taking me a while to find a new one, so I'm really not sure if I can offer legitimate advice - all I can really say though, is your body will know if the pill is right for you. If you don't like it, and it's not working for you, get off it as soon as you can, don't listen to the doctor, listen to your body. I seem to be the only person here who's actually had a problem with it, so it could just be me.. :-\
I would LOVE to be totally chemical free, but life is too difficult for me off the pill. I have horrible menstrual pain when left au naturale. One of my ovaries is polycystic. My birth control pill has been like a miracle drug for me. I went from taking 4 or more Ibuprofens at a time to just dull the pain to not needing to take ANY pain meds at all - on any day of the month. My period went from being heavy and annoying, to being light and no big deal. I'm on Apri, which is a generic form. I've have no noticeable side effects.
I would also recommend, to those of you who want to be on hormonal birth control and had problems with it, that you talk to your doctor about using different types and dosage. Their are so many BCs out there now, and they are MUCH lower in dosage than BC pills were in the past. If you don't have trouble going without birth control, great...but if you want it, keep trying until you find the right one for YOU. We're all a little different, and even a high quality drug might not be right for everyone.
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