Here’s an excerpt from the original question on using birth control pills to control fibroid bleeding:
malexmom: My question is about using birth control pills to try and control the bleeding. …am very hesitant to go on the progesterone only pill my Dr. has suggested. She’s not pushing it…Any experiences with altered mood during your experience?
I found some information on Wikipedia under birth control pill:
Other possible side effects are: breakthrough bleeding, unusual build-up of the uterine lining, nausea, headaches, depression, vaginitis, urinary tract infection, changes in the breasts, changes in blood pressure, skin problems, skin improvements, and gum inflammation.
and also under progesterone only pill:
May cause mood swings
This information is general. More details can be obtained from the web site (or package insert) of the formulation (brand). Wikipedia has a page of oral contraceptive formulations. Look there to find the brand. Post the name here and we can track down the specific side effects for that brand.
If you are already using birth control pills to control fibroid bleeding or have questions, thoughts, or concerns, please leave a comment.
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Related Posts:
Uterine fibroid symptoms (not my idea of fun)
Uterine fibroid tumors and anemia?
How are you managing your heavy menstrual bleeding?
September 27, 2006 at 3:52 am
I was on a progesterone only pill and it was not very effective. It did not stop the bleeding. Currently, I am on Min-Ovral 21 and am satisfied with the results. Min-Ovral:”Levonorgestrel – ethinyl estradiol is a progestin (levonorgestrel) and estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) combination birth control pill used for the prevention of pregnancy. The ingredients of the medication work by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and causing changes in the mucus of the cervix which make it difficult for sperm to penetrate and for an egg to implant. This medication may also be taken to treat acne in women 14 years of age and older or to regulate the menstrual cycle.”
from http://www.medbroadcast.com/
September 27, 2006 at 2:28 pm
I used to be on Lo-Ovral 28 (ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel -low progesterone/low estrogen combo)…similar to Anne’s Mi-ovral 21 and it was very effective. Absoutly no side effects, moods swings or weight gain. During my “pill-dum” years, I had very light periods and minimal bleeding/cramps. I switched to this pill after I had some endo removed from my groin 10+ years ago-doctor told them this type of pill would help to control future endo and regulate my cycle (which was clockwork anyway) by regulating the estrogen/progesterine balance (ahh that endrocin system again ladies). It really did…..I knew I had a small fibroid back then from an ultrasound but it was not causing any issues so I did nothing…..(well Mr Ginch -my submuccocal fibroid was just laying low all those years…..)
dum dum dum….you know there is a story that ties into Fibroids…doesnt everything??? LOL
So…in 2005 I had my routine GYN exam – everythign is fine..doc didnt feel any fibroids…nothign….one year later (2006) I decide to get off the pill in an effort to get pregnant. 3-4 months later (humm the “the minimum wash out period my doc said would take after being on the pill to get pregant” is when the flood gates to hell began -heavier periods/cramps..all the inital fribroid symptoms…hummmmm By 6-9 month post PILL the monster was unleased (seeing that red monster with tennis shoes…LOL)
I know docs say to avoid estrogen in the pill at all cost as it can increase fibroids….but see I KNOW (well hypothesis) that getting off the pill is what intiated my Broids TO grow…my body must have been like WHAT???? all this estrogen?? Let party….and the Fab 6 grew out of control..and MR Grinch was at his prime….why…because of my mom/family history……YEARS ago…YEARS…my mom had problems with fibroids and ended up having a hysto after having all of us due to the 3 week periods -My moms sister also. Their doctors at the time told them to stay away from estrogen as they produced TOO much estrogen already….(non canceruos tumor in her breast, fibroids) so I believe that my “synthetic regulation of my period with the “proper amount” of estogen /progesterone (otherwise know as the PILL) saved me all these years from dealing with the broids earlier in life. My one sister who was on the pill also (alias the bathroom scout) had no issue until SHE got off the pill. My other sister dealt with them for YEARS (she was not on the pill)..she is STILL dealing (or NOT dealing with the issue..sigh…)
So all this to say…yes I absoutly believe the right type of birth control pill will regulate a lot of things…periods, bleeding and fibroid growth or inhibit fibroid growth (I bleive in my case)
Listen to your doctors, but also know your familty history and there is somethign to be said about Womens intuition
September 27, 2006 at 11:39 pm
This is a sore point with me. I’m pretty sure birth control pills GREW my fibroids in a matter of a few months. And I’m pretty sure my old OB/GYN let me go on it not making the connection between my fibroids and estrogen! These are no longer my doctors.
I was diagnosed with fibroids in 2002. My only problem was heavier and heavier periods. Fall 2005, I went to see my ob/gyn for my annual and I asked about Seasonale which supposedly limits your period to 3-4 times a year. It seemed reasonable to control the most annoying symptom. She let me have it. No talk of side effects or the effect they may have on my fibroids. And honestly I was trusting and didn’t ask a lot of questions. Big mistake.
I didn’t have my period for 5 weeks… and then I had it for 40 DAYS. I’m not making that number up. Not as heavy as my regular period, but… It was 40 days. While I was on it, I had swollen ankles and my hair started coming out (I ended up cutting it very short it was so damaged). About 30+ days into I stopped taking it so I think the last five or so days may have been my body readjusting with a normal (i.e. heavy) period.
I found this quote about Seasonale: “Seasonale does not reduce estrogen. In fact, it gives a very steady supply of estrogen which helps prevent thinning of the bones.” Again WHY did she let me go on this?
It was about this time that I started going to the bathroom a lot more. By February, I could feel my heartbeat in my belly. Yes one of fibroids sits on my aorta, and I can feel it above my navel. (Btw, when I mentioned this to my primary care physician that month, he said it was NOT a fibroid because they didn’t go up that high. He told me it was a lypoma. He did no tests. Nice. I won’t be going back to him either.) By May it was riduculous…
Since then I’ve found this quote about Seasonale: “Seasonale does not reduce estrogen. In fact, it gives a very steady supply of estrogen which helps prevent thinning of the bones.” Again WHY did she let me go on this?
O.k. this is a total rant for me as I’m sure you can tell! But considering the timing, I really think the birth control pills grew my fibroids. Be very careful what birth control you go on and ask a lot of questions about how it might affect your fibroids.
September 28, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Julie – 40 days?? oohhh geezeee…how horrible!!! So glad you arent dealign with the previous doc’s.
See I believe in finding the right doctor….a lot of doctors are aware of fibroids but dont really “Deal” in that arena. Sounds like you need a very skilled GYN who specializes in fibroids.
Luckily even my family doc – who I went to initially -felt my abdomen first and told me… with your description of symptoms you have fibroids- you need and MRI and recommended me to an GNY who was a endocrinologist.
WOW and I thought my fibroid to the belly button was over the top…!!
my GYN doc’s told me to stay away from the pill…no bones about it!!!
Hope you are feeling ok?
October 3, 2006 at 3:43 pm
After my surgery two years ago, my period continued to be extremely heavy and with HORRIBLE cramping — cramping so bad that I couldn’t stand up. I continued to have major clots and used loads of tampons every month. I had thought the myomectomy was supposed to stop the massive bleeding. Out of fear and thinking the fibroids had regrown, I went to my GYN in tears.
My GYN then put me on Estrostep and it’s been the BEST thing ever. My period now lasts 2 days. I bought a box of tampons 1 year ago and still haven’t used the entire box. I just saw her last month for my annual and there are no signs of the fibroid returning.
October 6, 2006 at 8:57 pm
Looking over that long list of BC pill formulations on Wikipedia. With so many choices, I think doctors should be a little clearer as to why they prescribe certain ones over others.
Anne Cagle:
Thanks for that link. It has really good drug information including use, how it works, and side effects. Great that you are satisfied. Sounds like your pill is a good match.
fibroid free:
I agree. There are so many different pills that I think it is possible to find the proper one. There has got to be better communication between researchers, drug companies, doctors, and patients. I didn’t even realize there were so many different birth control pills until I saw that Wikipedia link.
Julia:
Sorry you had to go through that. I thought about Seasonale because I was just so tired of having periods every month. “Four times a year” sounded like paradise. Also thought about progesterone only pills as a stop-gap measure. I had even planned on talking to my new GYN about it. I met him and he was all about getting things done. Didn’t even mention it. I definitely agree that women should ask tons of questions. (It’s OK. I didn’t mind the rant.)
pammyshep:
Cool. Happy to hear those great results!
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I’m going to stick a couple of links in here because that’s what I do.
Etiology and Pathogenesis of Uterine Leiomyomas: A Review
I put this link everywhere. It’s a paper that reviewed studies that looked at fibroid causes. There’s a section that talks about birth control pills (in the risk factor section). Once again, conflicting results. Why is everything associated with fibroids such a conflict? Some say there’s an increased risk. Some say decreased. I still think it depends on which pill you are using.
Menstrual Cycle with Pill
You know I love PBS. They did a documentary on “The Pill”. Think I’ll write a separate post about it one of these days. This link lets you see the differences between your cycle with and without the pill. Lots of other info here as well.
October 10, 2006 at 8:03 pm
Decided not to go with the progesterone only pill because of possible mood problems – I’ve been taking Microgestin (sp?) for about 6 months – I hesitate to say it, (shhhh) but I havn’t gotten my period this month! That was the whole point of the pill so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that its worked.
October 22, 2006 at 6:03 pm
malexmom:
Hope all is well. Take care.
Your secret is safe with us.
October 22, 2006 at 7:20 pm
Found a great birth control comment in another thread. (Click the link to view it all.)
Also, pammyshep has a post on her blog about her personal myomectomy experience. Visit when you get a chance.
October 26, 2006 at 9:53 pm
Well, I’m eating the words of my last post – have had bleeding for 13 days now and ended up in the ER because I was feeling lightheaded (had lost about a cup’s worth of clots). They gave me an IV and sent me home – but my question is this….how much bleeding is too much? Anybody have any experience with this?
October 29, 2006 at 5:05 pm
You definitely qualify in the “too much” blood loss category. Anemia is what FINALLY caused me to get something done about my fibroids. My hemoglobin dropped to 6.7. I passed on the blood transfusion but started taking iron pills. Also, needed Lupron to slow my monthly blood loss enough for surgery. Please see these posts:
Uterine fibroid tumors and anemia?
My new normal interrupted
Got to have blood to live in this world
Fibroid doctors spring into action
Iron pills, Lupron injections, and the return of little Miss Perky
Be sure and frequently monitor how you feel (lightheadedness, weakness, tiredness, etc.) and seek medical help when necessary.
October 31, 2006 at 10:09 am
I have fibroids and discussed going on a birth control pill and I have High Blood Pressure. She said I might have breakthrough bleeding but I already have that. My bleeding is so bad I almost have to have a blood transfusion. I am considering the MRI procedure for them to shrink them. What can I do in the meantime, I am only 40 years old?
October 31, 2006 at 7:48 pm
When my doctor referred me to the GYN, I planned on telling him I wanted birth control pills to control my bleeding. After examining me, my GYN seemed so confident (not arrogant confidence but the cool reassuring kind) that we could get this fibroid problem taken care of, I didn’t even bring it up.
We came up with a Master Plan instead: (you can read the details on my About page)
1. Iron pills for my anemia
2. Lupron injections to slow my bleeding enough for surgery (also for the anemia)
3. Hysteroscopic Myomectomy to “shave down” a couple of the pesky ones on the inside
4. Uterine Fibroid Embolization
My advice is to learn all you can about your treatment options. If you decide to try birth control pills, find out about the side effects and have a clear understanding of what is happening to your body. I know sometimes that is hard when you want your symptoms to just go away but I did this (especially with the Lupron) and it helped.
I can’t comment on specific birth control pills because I haven’t used them in a long time. Hopefully, others will chime in. I will say, please be sure you are taking steps to manage the anemia. That’s what finally caused me to crawl to my doctor. Since you are interested in the MRI procedure, I’ll leave links to my posts about that:
Does anyone have an experience with ExAblate (MRgFUS)?
New treatment uses sound waves to shrink uterine fibroid tumors
If you have additional questions, please post them.
January 30, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Another update…. Just had my period for this month and it was very light with no clotting – lasted about 4 days. I’m thinking that the Microgestin may be starting to have an effect (knock on wood). My mood has remained stable and I havn’t been gaining any weight – actually losing some!! I’m due for an MRI on Friday to check on fibroid and ovarian cyst – I think the fibroid is probably larger – I’m having more discomfort (pressure, minor pain) but I’m still enrolled in the study for ExAblate – the facility is waiting for an upgrade to their equipment, so I’m waiting too. In summary, the pill seems to have been a good choice and definately worth a try for controlling monthly bleeding.
February 6, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Hi malexmom,
Glad to hear you are able to control the bleeding without any mood effects. I have a new post on managing heavy bleeding in general. Feel free to contribute there as well:
How are you managing your heavy menstrual bleeding?
Don’t know if you’ve checked the ExAblate posts recently but we have our first visitor (Randee) to comment about her post-procedure experience. Drop by when you get a chance. I’m excited for you and hope you are able to have your procedure soon.
Thanks for the update and congratulations on your weight loss! Best wishes.
February 8, 2007 at 8:55 am
I first noticed my fibroid symptons when on the BC pill & subsequently tried many different types. I think I have the hormonal profile which BC pills don’t get on with & even help grow the fibroids. I gave up on them cos I personally hate the fact you have to give them a few cycles to work & I chopped & changed so much that I eventually grew exhausted. But if you can tolerate it (or are desperate enough), go for it. If only we could get personalized hormonal treatments for our own hormonal profiles. That is my dream!
February 14, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Hi nic,
I am all for more tailored medicine in general. One of the messages I hope to get across with this blog is that although we all have fibroids and can relate and support each other, there is enough variation in fibroid size, location, and number that there is no “one size fits all” answer. What works for some women will not work for others. Yes frequent visitors, I will reference that bell curve post… again. It is a matter of risk vs. benefit. I want women to gather the information, talk to other women with varying experiences, and make an informed decision about their case.
I see your wonderful dream as a reality in the future and not just for hormones. When we get to the point where treatments (no matter the form) are more personalized, not only will this lower the risk and severity of side effects but will increase the individual therapeutic benefit as well.
Thank you for traveling around the site and commenting on several different posts. I always get excited over visitor movement. Hope to hear from you again soon.
Take care.
May 1, 2007 at 5:18 pm
I was just diagnosed with Fibroids and my dr said to me you can either A) deal with it B) take the pill to control the bleeding or C) you can have a hysterectomy. So of course being 27 yrs old I went with plan B but the pill seems to have made my periods worse instead of better I am now on my 5th day of really heavy bleeding so much so that if tomorrow it isn’t any better I am going to the ER I am weak,lightheaded and have a headache..the cramps are something else as well.
I am thinking a second opinion may be in the works for me I am not satisfied with what my dr recommended.
It’s such a pain to have this problem, you can never go anywere because your afraid of leaking through.
July 17, 2007 at 1:47 pm
The first attempt at controlling the heavy bleeding from fibroids was the Yasmine Birth Control Pill. When that had no effect, they went with Yasmine continuously plus high doses of aygestine – which did stop the bleeding but after 4 months of yas, my fibroids had grown by about 50% so we cut that out and went with aygestine only until I did the exAblate.
October 5, 2007 at 12:47 pm
I also went on a Seasonale – type pill (Jolessa), but before I had the fibroids definitely diagnosed (as opposed to suspected). I had a similar experience to Julia, i.e. skipped one period (great!), then had a 40-day one, during which I stopped taking the Jolessa. I wonder if it would have continued if I had not stopped taking it. My Dr did say that it did not always stop all bleeding, and another Dr told me after that prolonged heavy bleeding is not uncommon during the first few 3-month cycles. The lining builds up much thicker than usual, is the thinking, and then is shed in a heavy period.
On another note, has anyone heard what is up with Asoprisnil? I see some reports from trials in the medical literature, and at trials.gov there are no in-progress trials, so where is it at?
February 1, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Just had a d&c, now have fibroids. It’s been 10.5 weeks and no period. Doctors say to go on birth control for a few months. I see that this may cause fibroids to grow. What brand of birth control pill is best to take to avoid fibroids growing? Please help!!
February 1, 2008 at 6:14 pm
According to my OBGYN, there is no birth control that prevents the growth of fibroids. Estrostep halted my cramping and flow to 2 days but I could easily have another fibroid in the future. The only “for sure” solution is a hysterectomy.
February 2, 2008 at 2:32 am
I’ve been on a few different types of BCP for the past 6 month or so…just waiting it out & trying to control the monthly nightmare.
Loestrin 1/20 made me bleed 3 weeks out of the 4, horrible cramping.
Junel Fe, (generic for Loestrin) 5/30 much better, no breakthrough bleeding. Some breast tenderness right before period is due.
Nuvaring…great for bleeding, if you can get past the depression and 0 sex drive! No breast tenderness, just mood problems for me.
I’ve elected to stick with the Junel Fe 5/30 for a couple of months, waiting for menopause to kick in…I’m 50, but so far no signs of meno yet. Don’t want surgery, but may consider a hysto if things get worse.
February 3, 2008 at 1:24 am
I have read through the stories from other women with a lot of interest especially Julia who wrote in september 2006. I was diagnosed with a fibroid in the fall of 2006. The specialist who I visited (head of the fibroid clinic in my city) suggested I get on the Loestrin. When I asked her for additional details and questioned this decision she acted like my questions were unfounded. Naively I decided that since she was the expert I should listen to her.
The first month I was on the pill my period lasted for 40 days as well. I called back the specialist and questioned whether the pill was the right decison. I was told that things would regulate themselves. They did and I proceeded to have very few symptoms on the pill for the next year. I got an MRI in August and my fibroid has grown 30%.
I feel very angry that my doctor did not indicate to me the confliciting resseach and results about the relationship between the birth control pill and fibroids. There are not a lot of studies out there and the results are conflicting. In some cases women’s fibroids grew and in other cases they remained the same or shrunk. Also a number of sites have suggested that if a women does get on the pill that she have an ultrasound done after 3 months to see if her fibroid has grown and if so discontinue the pill. I wish I had been presented with this information instead of having her say this is the treatment option for your fibroid at this time.
Any other women out there who have had their fibroid increase significantly while on the pill? or been told by their doctor to get on the pill without any information about the possible link between fibroids and the pill?
February 3, 2008 at 4:22 am
Yes, my fibroid has grown, but not alarmingly. I’m thinking the heavy bleeding simply must be stopped, even at the cost of some growth.
The most promising drug, RU-486, which reports say cause a significant decrease in size of myomas, and often stops abnormal uterine bleeding, is not currently available in the United States. So I guess we have just the pill or some type of invasive procedure to choose from at this point in time!
February 4, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I had switched from Ortho-Novum 777 to microgestin (a low dose mixed pill which did not give me morning sickness type symptoms). I am now on the progeston only mini-pill because my theory was that it was the estradiol that had caused the fibroids to grow in the first place. I really like it — no mood problems for me (and the initial acne calmed down). But my periods are just super clotty and unpleasant now. I just met with a fibroid doctor who said that I need the estrogen to regulate my periods.
I am so exhausted from this entire process. I have no idea what to do. I can’t stand the blood loss anymore, and I am so paranoid about all of the medical establishment. I feel like each thing that I attempt to improve the situation makes everything worse.
March 3, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I had no fibroids that I was aware of when I started the pill…7 months later, I was getting yeast infections, so I went the gyn, who diagnosed me with a fibroid. Ultrasound showed it to be 9cm. After the ultrasound (month 8 of the pill), I stopped taking it. The fibroid hasn’t receded at all, but it doesn’t feel (or look…yeah, I can see it…ridiculous, no?) any bigger, either. I’ve been off the pill for 5 months.
I’m 26 years old, and I really want to try to get rid of this thing as naturally as possible, so I can go on and have uncomplicated pregnancies in my future. Perhaps that’s a pipe dream…?
March 20, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Hi everyone. I have anemia as a result of two submucosal fibroids. Like so many of you, I feel tired and headachey most of the time. In the beginning, the fatigue was killing me, and I asked my ob-gyn (HMO assigned male whom I do not like because of his brusque attitude), if I could have a work restriction from doing field inspections (involves a lot of walking and hiking that I just didn’t have the stamina for). He immediately cut me off and told me fibroids don’t require any work restrictions or disability. That seemed to me to a very sweeping statement since he doesn’t have my body. My anemia has improved a little since then with iron 3x a day, but I was curious how other fibroid sufferers go manage work with fatigue, heavy bleeding, headaches, etc…
March 22, 2008 at 1:18 am
Vanessa,
Please do something about this! If your doctor isn’t going to give you a work restriction, ask for a transfusion. I got one from my daughter and one from a stranger… and I felt so much better immediately. Because it snuck up on me over time, I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten until I suddenly had more blood.
Eventually I had a hysteroscopic endometrial ablation (shouldn’t do it if you definitely want to get pregnant, as it gets rid of your uterine lining…and while mine, and other’s can grow back, you shouldn’t count on it.) And it fortunately it completely took care of the bleeding because he was able to get a submucosal fibroid he found. Yay!
If I had it to do over, I would have gotten a myomectomy years ago… Because I didn’t, I just kept bleeding, and it got worse, the fibroids grew, so my belly has grown, and now they are bothering my back. I could have done it before when I had a lot of sick pay on the books… but I was working too hard to take time off… then I was laid off, and lost the sick pay and the health insurance. Moral is, don’t put it off if you are in a position to take care of them… you never know what can happen. Fortunately, I’m in a good job now, and just waiting to earn more sick pay and vacation so I can get the darned things out.
Hope you get better soon!
March 22, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Vanessa,
Getting rid of the fibroids would probably be the only way to really manage your anemia. I was very anemic (hemo at 6.2) but did not want surgery at first, I did the iron supplements which helped, but my very heavy period bleeding pretty much always worked in the opposite direction, so it was a no win battle. Finally I had my abdominal myomectomy last May, I was able to work up my hemoglobin to 10.2 before the surgery, and since there was no heavy bleeding during surgery, I did not even need a transfusion, which was the way I liked it. After the surgery my periods were very light and I got rid of my anemia by taking iron within a few months (that process could have been faster had I not refused transfusion unless there was an emergency, I just preferred the supplements)
I would say change a doctor if you can, and if you have insurance see into the options to get rid of your fibroids. I was waiting with mine for seven years, trying all the dietary etc stuff, I does not work and anemia is serious issue. Hope that helps, good luck!
March 24, 2008 at 11:31 am
Hi Vanessa,
I agree with Jo that the fibroids are the root problem. You can get by and survive them, but until the little blighters are out of there, you will be working around the central issue that is causing the misery and exhaustion.
It depends very much upon what you want for yourself as to which treatment is best. Issues include whether you want to preserve your fertility, insurance coverage, how close you are to menopause, and whether you just want to be DONE. I chose guided ultrasound (exablate) despite the fact that my insurance wouldn’t pay for it and I am very happy with the procedure and the results. Given its minimally invasive nature, the almost instantaneous recovery, and the low level of complications, it is a great line of attack for those of us who cannot afford the recovery times required by other treatments.
I put off treatment because I thought I could win “naturally” and also I was a needle-fearing chicken. IMO natural can help with maintenance and support but it is hard to win against a fibroid that has already grown. Because you have submucosals you will be peddling really fast just to keep even with your hemorrhaging.
May 14, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I was diagnosed with a fibroid in 2000 and since then I have been using BC to control my cycle. After a horrible time on Depo-Provera (constant bleeding and extreme clotting plus weigh gain) I switched to the progestrone-only pill OrthMircronor. I’ve been using it since 2005 and still suffered through bouts of extra long heavy periods. With the new research suggesting that low-dose estrogen pills are no more harmful than progestrogin only pills, by GYN wants me to try Yaz. Has anyone tried this pill?
May 14, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Yaz made me a basket case. I cried all the time and could never get enough sleep. I was also incredibly bloated and got massive headaches. However, each woman’s body reaction is different. A friend of mine loved Yaz while I did great with Estrostep. I would just try it. If it’s not right for you, go back to your OBGYN for something else.
May 14, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Hi Meg,
I have been using a low-dose mixed (generic, not Yaz) and have found it pretty good. I just got my fibroid treated with MRIgFUS and so I am now considering trying the progeston only mini-pill again. I experienced a similar thing to you the last time I tried progeston only — very long periods — (completely the opposite of the threatened cessation of periods!). I was told by my doctor that my endometrium needed the estrogen to stabilize it — but now that I am treated I am worried about feeding my uterus any estradiol in case it decides to grow something again. I find the hormone balancing act thoroughly confusing. Best of luck!
May 19, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Hi all,
So how many of you post-treatment (UFE, MRgFUS, Myomectomy) women have stayed on birth control pills after treatment? I am trying to decide now what it is best to do and I am interested in hearing how the rest of you wrestled with this problem.
June 16, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I have had the fibroid surgery (myomectomy) and it helped quite a bit for two years. The last year my periods have been getting heavier and the cramps have come back and are almost unbearable. It is a temporary fix, they can grow back. I have a friend on the new Mirena IUD who raves about how it has helped her. I can’t use it because I have never been pregnant or had a child. Some of you might benefit from checking it out. Wish I could
Anyway I am about to try the min-pill. I’m scared because I had weight gain and severe depression with regular BCs and could not take them. As soon as I stopped taking the pills the weight dropped off and my mood lightened. Good luck to everyone. Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman.
October 1, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I was diagnosed with fibroids in August 2006 at the age of 50. Was counting on menopause to shrink them, so I went and found a doc who went along with me and prescribed a progesterone-only pill. It took about four months to kick in, but the bleeding finally diminished considerably. This past August, though, just when I thought the problem was beat, I started bleeding heavily again, even while taking the progesterone. At this point, after eight weeks of bleeding, I am feeling weak and tired despite taking iron supplements (in liquid form: Floradix), eating liver, red meat, and leafy vegetables, taking oil of borage (vitamin E), and a Vitamin C-calcium-magnesium-potassium supplement. I am now going to try taking the iron in the morning and the minerals in the evening so I absorb as much iron as possible. All it takes is a couple of blood-free days, and I get my energy back! And when I haven’t bled for weeks, yes, I become superwoman. But now I’m going to bed…
October 2, 2008 at 10:22 am
Hi Nita,
I’m forty-two and when I went onto a progesterone only pill I was getting the endless bleeds too. My doctor said that I needed the estrogen as well to stabilize my endometrium. I know that estrogen gets more dangerous as one gets older, but I cannot even imagine dealing with eight weeks. You might be able to approximate the effect of estrogen with phyto-estrogens. I would be less worried in your case of growing your fibroid because you must be nearing menopause – and I am sure this is part of why your hormonal system is so squirrelly.
It sounds like you are doing all the right things in terms of iron. And I know how frustrating it is playing junior chemist with one’s body! Good luck, and please let us know what solutions you come up with!
October 5, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Update from Feb, 2008
The pill is no longer controlling the bleeding. One thing about the pill is it also masks whats really happeining in terms of menopause; you don’t really have a period, but only withdrawl bleeding while on the placebos.
I wouldn’t recomment continuous pills either, due to breakthrough bleeding.
I’m off this month just to see where I’m at in terms of ovulating; scared to death if the next real period is worse than the last one I had on the pill..omg-crazy bleeding. I think they can test for hormone levels to see where you’re at but not sure how long after the BCP’s where your levels will really show up.
I’m 51 and it menopause has to be around the corner?
November 16, 2008 at 8:36 am
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November 29, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I have uterine fibroids and my doctor prescribed me the pill to control my heavy periods and let me tell you it does not work for me . it’s even worst because now I have breakthrough bleedings and pain all the time (and I did not have it before taking the pill). I am so fed up I am having the surgery and I will never take the pill again as I started to develop fibroids when I started to take the pill!
of course NO doctor wants to acknowledge that the pill may have an effect on fibroids..
February 19, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I’ve been on Ortho Novum 777 since I was 19 (i’m now 36), never had any problems nor known fibroids…until last year. I began to spot between periods, then all heck broke loose, I bledBefore being officially diagnosed w/ fibroids, I was switched to Loestrin, then continuous dosing on Ortho Novum 1/35 to cascade dosing on Mircette and lastly-7 days on Provera pills. After a couple of ER visits and a few different obgyn’s; I was finally diagnosed w/ a 3cm fibroid in the uterine cavity. I had a hysteroscopy-myomectomy-D&C this past October…what a relief. I immediately went back to Ortho Novum 777 and my periods have been regular since.
I’ve read quite a few questionable articles on BCP’s and their controversial affect on fibroids, I really don’t know if it is a factor. My current obgyn told me the fibroid growth wasn’t related to the pills, but who knows…
My current obgyn had given me the ok to go back to the Ortho Novum 777 (given that i didn’t have any problems with it for 16 years; although she typically prefers monophasic pills).
I had no periods while on Loestrin for the first 3 months (after that my periods became longer and while on active pills of a new pack) then had hemorrhage type bleeding. Then I was given Premarin (estrogen) intravenously, then I bled even more (this led to an emergency D&C). Still was given no answers then, other than “hormonally imbalanced”. Then I was on continuous dosing on Ortho Novum 1/35; had no period the first 3 months then began bleeding again…for a month. Found a new doctor who switched me to cascade dosing on Mircette (4x a day for 4 days, 3x day for 3 days, etc). Still bled (bright red) but not profusely. Then I was finally diagnosed with fibroids and quickly scheduled for surgery. I was prescribed 10mg of Provera pills pre-op; that still didn’t stop the bleeding.
I guess for me, surgery was the only option. Let’s hope it doesn’t grow back now that i’m still on the pill!
February 20, 2009 at 10:32 am
Hi Su,
I was on ON 7/7/7 for years too — I think I started them a bit earlier than you did. I had exablate for a 5 cm fibroid in the uterine cavity at the age of forty-two. I am now on microgestin which is monophasic and I believe has somewhat lower dosage (but is still mixed: 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol). Because the jury is still out, I am willing to keep taking BCP’s, but I also wanted to get as low a dose as possible. It is nice to hear from someone else trying to navigate all of this. Continued health.
May 25, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Hi all.
You all sound incredibly knowledgeable about all this stuff. I really am not. I am 30 years old I live in the UK and had my first baby 6 months ago, and have been bleeding ever since – very heavily and huge clots for the first 2-3 months, now less so but still bright red every day and wearing tampons and towels constantly. It is really getting me down. I was diagnosed with a fibroid whilst pregnant and told it was large (8x8cm) but wouldn’t affect my baby because of it’s position. I never knew I had one before although had always suffered from heavy periods. When the huge clots started 3 wks after my baby was born, I went to emergency appt and was told it was retained placenta. Then when the bleeding and clots continued, and I was eventually referred to a gynaecologist I was checked out, told that everything looked normal ie no infections or anything but that my fibroid was still large and causing my uterus to still be the size of a 3 month pregnant uterus and told that I had a hormonal imbalance and the treatment is just to go on Mirena coil or the pill. Nothing was said about which type of pill. I told the gynae I have had problems with ecsema with the combined pill so it was suggested to try the mini pill. I have still continued to bleed ever since I have been on the mini pill (Cerazette for 3 months) and it is really hard – I am often light headed and find lifting my baby etc hard as she is getting so heavy and I am probably anaemic! I have lost weight since having my baby so I weigh less now than before I got pregnant. Has ANYONE got ANY advice – should I come off the pill, try homepathic or other remedies. or WHAT? I just don’t know what to do.
Thank you.
x
May 27, 2009 at 10:35 am
Hi Clare, try posting on the myomectomy thread, a lot of women read and post regularly there so you are more likely to find/get some answers there, but anemia takes a huge toll on your body and I really think you need to insist on some help to remove or reduce the size of your fibroid. Also there are several women in the UK that have been posting here. In retrospect, I would just get a problem fibroid removed ASAP – it’s a larger one, it is causing your anemia and you are trying to take care of your baby – it’s just too much! http://blog.geekwithfibroids.com/2007/03/25/how-are-you-feeling-after-your-abdominal-myomectomy-part-4/#comment-44101
May 28, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Clare – there is a UK specific support group at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fibroid which may be of interest.
Also did you have a D&C after being told you had retained placenta? This is what I had & did have a D&C and something was removed that may have been an accumulation of tissue & blood, not necessarily due to retained placenta. Have they tried you on another hormonal treatment? It can take trial & error to find the right one, or there may not be a right one. An alternative approach could be to wait for your hormones to settle down a bit (even if you do have an underlying imbalance) & address the bleeding. There are tablets that can be prescribed for that, usually tranexamic acid, & it is safe to take whilst breastfeeding if that is a concern. If you are breastfeeding it would be worth continuing as it does have an size-reducing effect on the uterus although most importantly in the earlier post-natal months but this may have been influenced by taking a hormonal treatment. It does take a lot longer to recover from birth if you have fibroids even if you are not bleeding so much. The bleeding must be addressed asap. If you are not taking an iron supplement, start taking one that is easily absorbed like Floradix liquid or tablets. You can take more than the recommended dose but check with a dr first preferably. Also increase red meat intake if you eat meat as that is the best source of dietary iron. There are options for fibroid treatment, including some alternative approaches, but you may need some time to research them properly so it is crucial to reduce blood loss in the meantime.
July 7, 2009 at 6:55 am
Help pls!!!
Am so confused! The more I read, the more confused I am.
I never used to have any women’s problem or so I thought! In 2008, I was forced by family to do a complete medical checkup. I was found to have endometritis and it was huge! There were 2 of them over each ovary and their size was 8 cm and 2 cm. I was told that although I had a few fibroids in there, they are not going to cause me any major concerns.
I had a lapascopy to get them out and thought that was the end of my troubles.
It’s been a year after the surgery. I still get needle poking pains at intervals and my surgerical scars are always so itchy. I have been having heavy and painful periods and am always constipated before my periods no matter how much water and fiber I consume.
I also have this dull ache in my abdomen and sometimes a scraping kind of pain which I have absolutely no idea what it is at all! This can come suddenly and sharp pain; or it persists for about an hour from gradual ache. I didn’t give it much thought and I’m great on pain endurance anyway.
I went for my annual check up gyna check up – a follow up of the 2008 surgery.
While doing my scan, I was told that my left ovary was blocked by my fibroids, but it didn’t matter very much. I was given some medicine to help with the constipation, that’s it!
I was called up later to notify that my pap smear results show atypical symptoms and that I should follow up with another pap smear 6 months down the road to be sure.
I went to my family planning counsel (in another country where I am working) to consult on the possibility of having Merina IUD insertion which is the advice of the gyna from my home country.
My family counsel told me that it is impossible for me to have the IUD insertion as I have a 16 week uterus. He referred me to a hospital and is on the waiting list on for an appointment on 22 Oct, and gave me Cerazette for BC.
I have just started on my first pack of Cerazette. I was puzzled BUT I checked and asked doctor and nurse twice and was told that I should start the pack on my 5th day of my current period. And that’s what I did.
1 week after popping the C, I develop a nasty itch and severe excretions which were totally foul smelling. And then the itch was subsiding before I had an appointment to go to the family counsel to do a HVS test. I am still waiting for the test results which should be out on 10 Jul. While at the test, the nurse reassured me 100 times that the C is safe to use as it is used for breast feeding mothers as well. And she insisted that I have to finish with the first pack of pills.
But these past few days, I have clotting and bleeding. Though not much, but continuous and the clots just comes suddenly. My dull abdominal ache and scraping pain has increased.
After reading the posts here, then I realized the C probably contributed to the dry and blurry eyes as well as my sudden increased of headaches, the bloated abby and light headedness. My body temperature has also been a consistent 34.5 for the past week.
I’m due to start my second C packs in a week’s time too. Any opinions out there if I should continue with C? And how does one stop the irritating and continuous bleed??
And which is more important to be treated first? My atypical symptoms from pap smear which could evolve into cervix cancer or my fibroids? My home doctor brushes aside the problems of the fibroids. But my family counsel doctor seems to think the fibroids are of more immediate issue and didn’t think the atypical symptom pap smear to be of anything of importance.
I am also in a GREAT HURRY to know as my husband and I work in different locations and I get to see him once a month for 4 to 5 days only. I’m about to see him next week, and so I don’t want to be bleeding and having any inconveniences to spoil a good time with him!
Thanks in advance. Any help, comments and suggestions are greatly welcomed!
July 12, 2009 at 1:51 am
June, this thread doesn’t get a lot of traffic, you might want to post your questions elsewhere on this blog… the only thing I can say, is I’ve had both fibroids and atypical pap results on and off for years and the fibroids have been more of a problem than the atypical cells (which by the way, I think were caused by spermicides) That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t continue to monitor your cervix, but you can do that at the same time as you deal with the fibroids. Best!
December 22, 2009 at 8:52 am
This bears repeating: The birth control pill, Yaz, has been linked to a number of adverse reactions, including strokes and lawsuits are growing over these issues. Here is some good information: http://www.yaz-may-cause-strokes.com/
April 16, 2010 at 6:19 am
Да уж… Тут как люди раньше говорили: Агриппине засвербило в спине