probably TMI, but...

lindsayrae1986 · August 2010

1. has anyone else had no luck with finding a BCP that actually WORKS with their body?? i have tried several different low estrogen BCPs, but they all make me feel SO CRAPPY. i've had trouble with spotting, bad cramps, hormonal acne, hunger, mood swings, slight weight gain... you name it. and my OBGYN really isn't much help... she just tells me, "they're all the same!"... um... ??? or is this just me...? the BCP is only for regular cycles and (supposedly) to help with hormonal acne and cramps.

2. any tips on how to alleviate cramps? i feel like i have a horse kicking me in the belly.

i've tried hot tea, a heating pad, and aleve... but it's just not doing the trick!

sorry if it's TMI, but i warned you...

desertsun · August 2010

How long have you been on the various pills you've tried? Sometimes it takes as much as 6 months or a year to really acclimate and see some of the side effects diminsh appreciably. In my experience. I don't claim to be a doctor.

Ibuprofen works for my cramps. Have you tried that?

I'm sorry, I know how miserable BCPs can be.

Try a different doctor?

ekathleen684 · August 2010

I have no advice on the BCP front except that I don't think all are the same. I had problems with the generic version of Seasonale when my Dr. had switched me. I made him go back to the name brand.

As for the cramps, this may be the last thing you want to do but do some crunches. Contracting your ab muscles should help. You could also alternate between about 15 seconds of laying as straight as you can on your back and then putting your knees into your chest for another 15 seconds or so.Both of those usually help me as well as a hot bath or getting in the shower and having the shower head run water on my stomach so it's not only warm but it massages.

GreenPepperBurger · August 2010

I've been on a low hormone BCP for years and I've never had any complaints. Before BCP, I would get terrible cramps and the only thing that helped was Pamprin.

StarGazingHiker · August 2010

I find the only thing that touches my cramps is Midol Complete... I feel for you!! Hope you feel better and find something that works!

Ana_2985 · August 2010

I've found that the best way to relieve the pain is to start taking pain killers BEFORE the cramps start. I usually start taking something either in the morning or at night two or three days before my period.

ekathleen684 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_probably-tmi-but?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:4e0b6966-3e1d-4fa5-93e9-e592e991ef45Post:fabc3ab0-0f23-4ee7-95cd-ccce2e8c3261">Re: probably TMI, but...</a>:
[QUOTE]I've found that the best way to relieve the pain is to start taking pain killers BEFORE the cramps start. I usually start taking something either in the morning or at night two or three days before my period.
Posted by Ana_2985[/QUOTE]

THIS! As soon as I feel any symptoms of a period, I pump myself up with pain pills.

lindsayrae1986 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_probably-tmi-but?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:4e0b6966-3e1d-4fa5-93e9-e592e991ef45Post:17b2a001-d152-4ced-9246-7b7e70e379ea">Re: probably TMI, but...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: probably TMI, but... : THIS! As soon as I feel any symptoms of a period, I pump myself up with pain pills.
Posted by ekathleen684[/QUOTE]

i will have to try this next time. they are just beginning, so i'll just keep taking the pain meds. thanks! :)

lindsayrae1986 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_probably-tmi-but?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:4e0b6966-3e1d-4fa5-93e9-e592e991ef45Post:7a847489-c7bf-4647-8331-ca74070b8442">Re: probably TMI, but...</a>:
[QUOTE]I have no advice on the BCP front except that I don't think all are the same. I had problems with the generic version of Seasonale when my Dr. had switched me. I made him go back to the name brand. As for the cramps, this may be the last thing you want to do but do some crunches. Contracting your ab muscles should help. You could also alternate between about 15 seconds of laying as straight as you can on your back and then putting your knees into your chest for another 15 seconds or so.Both of those usually help me as well as a hot bath or getting in the shower and having the shower head run water on my stomach so it's not only warm but it massages.
Posted by ekathleen684[/QUOTE]

a little unsure about the crunches, but i'll try it tonight... and if i end up in agony, i'll hunt you down. ;) thank you!

catemeg · August 2010

When I got cramps, Midol Extra Strength was the only thing that even touched it. Along with Advil.

Also, my all time favorite solution are those stick-on heating pads that you wear under your clothes. Instant relief! It feels so good. Heating pads in general help, but if you have to keep moving or be at work (or really, anywhere except your bed or couch) then I highly recommend these:
http://www.thermacare.com/product/menstrual.aspx

I second whoever said that BCP can take awhile to work or affect your periods/cramping/mood swings/etc. I'm personally a big fan of Yasmin. I've been on the NuvaRing, and it really made me gain weight and helped contribute to depression. I've tried other pills (including Yasmin's generic version) and I still think it's worth it to pay the $40/month for Yasmin (gosh, I wish I lived in Canada or Europe sometimes!)

lindsayrae1986 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_probably-tmi-but?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:4e0b6966-3e1d-4fa5-93e9-e592e991ef45Post:e1216589-1c39-4a55-9fff-fcad9ac8a475">Re: probably TMI, but...</a>:
[QUOTE]When I got cramps, Midol Extra Strength was the only thing that even touched it. Along with Advil. Also, my all time favorite solution are those stick-on heating pads that you wear under your clothes. Instant relief! It feels so good. Heating pads in general help, but if you have to keep moving or be at work (or really, anywhere except your bed or couch) then I highly recommend these: <a href="http://www.thermacare.com/product/menstrual.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.thermacare.com/product/menstrual.aspx</a> I second whoever said that BCP can take awhile to work or affect your periods/cramping/mood swings/etc. I'm personally a big fan of Yasmin. I've been on the NuvaRing, and it really made me gain weight and helped contribute to depression. I've tried other pills (including Yasmin's generic version) and I still think it's worth it to pay the $40/month for Yasmin (gosh, I wish I lived in Canada or Europe sometimes!)
Posted by catemeg[/QUOTE]

i LOVE those stick-on heating pads... they do help take my mind off of the pain.

and about the yasmin... i had mentioned to my OBGYN about being interested in it, and she just acted like it was the same as anything else and she really didn't recommend it. also, one of my best girl friends has been taking yasmin and she doesn't really notice a difference from what she was taking, so she's switching back because of the costs.

has anyone else tried yasmin or the generic?

catemeg · August 2010

That's ignorant of your gyno... some pills have certain chemicals, some have others, and our bodies all react differently to each. DIfferent amounts or types of hormones can really affect us all differently!

If you've been having acne and cramps, I highly recommend Yasmin. For me, the generic gives me both pimples and cramps, but the name brand doesn't. My OBGYN totally agrees - when I first saw her about a year ago, I told her I was taking Yasmin, and she asked, "Name brand or generic?" I told her "Name brand." She said, "Oh good! I know I'm supposed to say the generic is just as good as the name brand, but I've had so many patients have problems with the generic."

EDIT: Also, get a new doctor. This one doesn't sound like she's working with you or keeping an open mind. Plus she sort of just sounds stupid. I checked it by my boyfriend's sister who is a pharmacist - she said, "What kind of moron would say they're all the same?"

bsidebella · August 2010

Sitting in a warm bath always helped with my cramps. That and Advil. Aleve never did it for me, either. The stick-on heating pads are a GREAT idea!

As for BCP, I was on Yaz for a little more than a year and had such a horrible time with it - depression, weight gain, breakouts, heavily spotting for 8 MONTHS - that I quit.

The last straw came when I had to get my gallbladder out, and every single one of my friends pointed their fingers at the Yaz as the cause. I asked my gyno about Yaz contributing to gallstones, and she said that any excess amount of estrogen could cause that, and that she said she could switch my perscription if I wanted and also told me that all BCPs were pretty much the same.

*sigh* I just don't think my body is meant to be on BCP />_<

catemeg · August 2010

I've heard that about Yaz, also, that it can cause gallstones. Yaz is a super intense drug, beyond simple birth control, which is why they had to re-do their advertisements to say it's for more than just normal cramps and PMS.

Really, it's not a natural thing we're doing to our bodies with BCP. But in my case, it has a medical reason - I have uterine cysts, and birth control prevents them. So the positives outweigh the negatives - with any drug, especially ones you take daily for an extended period of time like BCP, you should thoroughly research them and read the adverse effects.

jeanacorina · August 2010

Get a new doctor. I'm on LoEstrin 24 and don't even have a period anymore. It's nice. I guarantee it's not at all the same as Ortho Tri Cyclen, which I was on for many years before.

The only thing that worked for my cramps when I had them was getting on my hands and knees. I know it sounds funny, but anything- scrubbing floors, leaning over the arm of a couch to watch TV... anything like that seemed to help relieve some pain.

leia1979 · August 2010

For pain, I agree with Ana. Start taking ibuprofen a day or so before and keep taking it consistently (every 4-6 hours). Ibuprofen can help keep the cramps from starting. Even if it already hurts, just take it consistently and it will help.

I can't do BCP myself. I tried many and had no luck. I did much better on NuvaRing, but the hormones were still too much for me. It is worth trying, though. I got the Mirena IUD in May. I've had no issues so far, and BF says it hasn't caused a personality change like the pills and NuvaRing did. Some people are scared about insertion pain, but for me, it was a very small amount of discomfort--just cramping--and I haven't had kids. It's generally considered to be worse for those who haven't been pregnant.

Also, try a new doctor if this one isn't being helpful.

ETA: If you want something to help with acne, you might ask a regular dr or dermatologist about Retin-A, even if it is hormonal. It really helps.

bsidebella · August 2010

Leia, I was considering the Mirena IUD for a bit - I thought it was ONLY for women who'd had at least one child. That's what they say on the commercials, anyway. How is it? I'm probably going to look into getting one once I have a steady job with health insurance.

Bec20 · August 2010

I was on NuvaRing for a few months and loved it. Unfortunately, my insurance didn't cover the cost of it. (I'm in Canada and receive excellent coverage under my father's company until I'm 23 or married, whichever comes first.) I switched to the patch for three months then... nope, not covered either. This was also the same time when I was switching antidepressants and the pharmasist laughed saying I brought in three drugs not covered by the plan, which covers almost everything.

I've now been on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for the past year and a half or so, with no problems. However, I hate taking the pill every day. I want my ring or patch back, but I'll take the $30 a month or so and deal with the pill.

bsidebella · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_probably-tmi-but?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:4e0b6966-3e1d-4fa5-93e9-e592e991ef45Post:e314e6fa-ad5e-4e69-aa2c-18ad33e99114">Re: probably TMI, but...</a>:
[QUOTE]I hate taking the pill every day.
Posted by Bec20[/QUOTE]

THIS.

BCRockies · August 2010

I'm currently on Alesse and have been for years. It does what it's supposed to do - I get minimal cramps and lighter periods but the mood swings suck. Occassionally I get spotting. I've been looking into other options and will probably get a Minera IUD put in once I have the money saved up.

Cate - $40 for Yasmin? Really? Wow...

As for cramps - I live by my hot water bottle. I think being on Alesse does alleviate cramps for me as I rarely get them and if I do they only last a few hours.

zipis1 · August 2010

I used to take Yaz and Ortho try-cyclin Lo. Of the two I like Yaz the best. Doctors usually will ask you to wait 3 months from when you start taking a new BC pill because on average it takes 1-3 months for your body to adjust to the new chemical make up of the medication.

I agree, though, that you should try to get a new doctor. Not all BC pill are the same. Most use different and varying amounts of ingredients from others, and different levels of estrogen and progestin. Any doctor worth their salt should know that and be willing to switch brands indefinitely until you find one that works for you. Unfortunately, some doctors will push one brand harder than others because they have a deal with its manufacturers and thus get a cut for every prescription.

As for cramps, heat pads.You can also take a "prescription dose" of ibuprofen, which is 800mg. Taken short term (i.e., the duartion of your period) it is fine to do. Just make sure not to exceed 2000mg per day or take it too long (ulcers are no fun). Many women swear by orgasming too. Yoga or other types of cardio are other things people swear by. For me, I almost never had cramps until I started taking the pill, something that baffled my doctor since usually they help with cramps. Ultimately I gave up on the pill and said Eff You to my period and got the Mirena IUD so I wouldn't have to deal with it anymore :P

leia1979 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_probably-tmi-but?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:4e0b6966-3e1d-4fa5-93e9-e592e991ef45Post:804d6560-8c49-4b5d-a4de-80c18c98fd89">Re: probably TMI, but...</a>:
[QUOTE]Leia, I was considering the Mirena IUD for a bit - I thought it was ONLY for women who'd had at least one child. That's what they say on the commercials, anyway. How is it? I'm probably going to look into getting one once I have a steady job with health insurance.
Posted by bsidebella[/QUOTE]

Bside - YGPM!

Zipis - I am waiting for that particular Mirena side effect to kick in! Hopefully in a couple more months.

zipis1 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_probably-tmi-but?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:4e0b6966-3e1d-4fa5-93e9-e592e991ef45Post:804d6560-8c49-4b5d-a4de-80c18c98fd89">Re: probably TMI, but...</a>:
[QUOTE]Leia, I was considering the Mirena IUD for a bit - I thought it was ONLY for women who'd had at least one child. That's what they say on the commercials, anyway. How is it? I'm probably going to look into getting one once I have a steady job with health insurance.
Posted by bsidebella[/QUOTE]

Bside, just wanted to let you know that not only do I not have a child, but I haven't even had <em>sex</em> and I have a Mirena. I LOVE that thing and intend to be on it til menopause :P

The issue with the children thing, is that way back in the 70s there was a very poorly designed IUD called the Dalkon Shield. The fault in its design was that the Dalkon Shield had a nylon string, so it was essentially a bridge for bacteria to climb up and wreak havoc on the woman's uterus, causing infertility and pelvic dysplasia. The Mirena and ParaGard have strings that bacteria cannot climb up so they are very safe.

A lot of US doctors are still freaked out about this issue so they won't give you an IUD unless you have a child. It was also once thought that nulliparous women had a higher rate of expulsion, but over the years research has shown that whether or not someone expels it is more dependant on the skill of the doctor that inserts it than the parity of the woman.

IUDs are actually the number one birth control in most of the world. It's really only the US that is still hung up on mistakes of the past.

Essentially if you decide to get one while nulliparous, you may have to hunt around for a doctor who is willing. I recommend Planned Parenthood, personally, because they're skilled and not stuck in the past.

Leia, it's fantastic once it does! I think I've had two periods in the last three years. Bliss!

**Mutley** · August 2010

#1 - As others have stated, you need to get a new doctor. Your doctor is there to help YOU. She/he should be listening to your concerns and working with you to find a solution, not brushing you off.

#2 - There are several different types of hormonal birth control BECAUSE they have different combinations/dosages/release mechanisms.

#3 - Personally, I loved NuvaRing. It did wonders for my cramps most months. I didn't experience any weight gain on it or a decreased sex drive.

#4 - Similar to PPs, I started a pain care regime prior to my cramps actually starting. My OB said to take advil starting the day before I expected my cramps to start. I would start out with a low dosage and then increase to a full dosage during my period. Exercise truly does help. I continued my regular routine through the cramps. While it sucked to get started, I always felt better after.

Good luck.

meamolly · August 2010

Believe it or not sex (or orgasm in its self) helps with cramps. Yah it is a bit weird to ask your husband/boyfriend/future man if he wants to so that is why I recommend shower time, alone or with your man.

My choice is easy. Non-hormonal and that is it. So i am going into the copper IUD. Oh the days of being able to just take a pill.

CWill16 · August 2010

I use Nuva Ring and I also take a prescription grade Naproxen Sodium for cramps. the Naproxen works like magic. My sisters and I all take it.

Hazel_B · August 2010

I had to go off of BCP because of the hormones and now have an IUD. I haven't had children either.

I won't lie to anyone considering an IUD. The insertion itself wasn't so bad, but they have to measure your uterus to ensure that the IUD will fit (particularly if you haven't had children) and this was brutal. In terms of cramping afterwards, it was the worst cramping I'd ever experienced in my life and the nurses wouldn't let me leave for almost 2 hours. The cramping slowly went away over the course of the next week.

Aside from the insertion issues, so far I love it. Every once and awhile I get these crazy cramps they may or may not be associated with actually having my period and they catch me completely offguard.

All that being said, it is the best option I've got since BCP are out and I don't regret my decision yet.

PaigeMcC · August 2010

I've been on various pills since I was about 14 (no, I wasn't a hoar. I just had HORRIBLE, mind numbing, can't get out of bed, I want to die cramps.) The one I had the best luck with was Alesse. I was on that for about 6 years and I experienced no weight gain, my cramps almost disappeared and my flow was light. However, I'm currently about to switch (again) due to some hormonal issues (which I won't get in to but needless to say they SUCK). My family doctor is amazing and he's been working with me thru the whole "pill issues" to try and find something that works. You need a new MD.

For cramps I ditto the heating pad. I find alieve works well and so does advil. I'd also suggest yoga. I find it really helps.

probably TMI, but...

Re: probably TMI, but...

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