Birth control question

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>anonymous</b></i>

I've heard both that anibotics do and don't affect pills, but as far as digestion, BC pills are not absorbed the same way as our food.



From what I remember, because what we are absorbing from the pills are the hormones, they get absorbed just with contact - they do not need to be broken down to be absorbed (like our food does - which is why we take enzymes. Enzymes don't help us absorb our food, but rather to break the food down enough that it can be absorbed).



I take a low dose pill that seems to work fine (I can tell because my periods are regular), but I do always use a condom also, as I am on constant antibotics and don't want to take any chances.



--Wallflower</end quote></div>


Many birth conrol pills aren't "digested." They're metabolized through the liver.

And often times our liver is busy metabolizing our antibiotics and our birth control pills are left less effective or ineffective.

But not all antibiotics are metabolized the same. Neither are all birth control pills.

This is why I am such an advocate of education and reading prescription medication Package Inserts. All the information that you need is right there.

For example, the antibiotic Ketek does not decrease the efficacy of certain types of birth control pills.

Grill your gyno and pulm about your antibiotic/bc regimine, or look for yourself on the medication's package insert (you can get those online or ask your pharmacist).

 

[NoExcuses]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Lilith</b></i>

Don't worry. We rarely use that method, and if we do, I make absolutely sure its nowhere near my ovulation cycle. A kid is that last thing we need. Thanks for the concern, though.</end quote></div>

Ummm.... thinking like that is how people get pregnant accidentally.

 

[Lilith]

No, taking no precautions whatsoever is how people get pregnant accidentally. Its not as blatant as it probably sounded. Believe me, I'm not stupid. I do everything I possibly can. Plus, there's the added factor that CFers have a hard time getting pregnant even if its planned because of extra-thick cervical mucus. But, don't think I'm betting on those factors alone. I'm not saying that its a good idea to just go without a condom spontaneously. Please don't take my methods into account the wrong way.

 

[sarabeth87]

my husband and i have been married since feb 2006, and 2gether for 3 years now. well anyways, of those 3 years, i have only been on BC for 6 months (NOT in a row). my periods are kinda weird. for the first few years of my cycle they were like 34-36 day cycles, then about the time i started dating jack, they changed to 27-30 day cycles. they are normal however (they usually last no more than 2 days) but anyways to my point. i've been having unprotected sex for 2.5 years and i'm not pregnant. now that we are married i wouldn't mind gettng pregnant. but i don't really understand why i can't. i have regular cycles and my pfts are in the 80s, i'm 5'4" and weigh 134 lbs. i do have problems with ovarian cyst though. they are what caused me to be put on the BC those few times.

 

[anonymous]

I've heard it both ways with the "extra-thick cervical mucus" as well. I've heard it makes it harder to get preg, but I've also heard it traps the sperm up there making it easier to get preg.

There should be a sex education class for cfers. I never know if I should believe my gyno or my doctor. I'd get my tubes tied, but thats how my mom had kid #3! I guess nothings certain.

--Wallflower

 

[littledebbie]

I have been very happy with my iud. i would recommend doing a little research about them if you are not interested in having children within the next 5 years.

 

[ej0820]

hey there...

I have recently just started birth control and b/c of the antibiotics that I'm on, I told my OBGYN that I was concerned about it's losing its effectiveness. I started a new form of bc...it's called the NuvaRing. It's just inserted 'down there' for three weeks while releasing bc hormones every day. It gets taken out, then that time of the month happens, rinse, repeat. It is soooo easy to use and because it's inserted right at the uterus, antibiotics have a lesser chance of making the bc ineffective...especially since with the ring, it doesn't need to be digested and absorbed into the bloodstream and then into the ovaries...it's pretty much just right there. If you're interested you should definitely check it out. If you get a Rx for it, go to Nuvaring.com...you can a voucher for you first one free.

 

[Momtana]

Lillith, they actually have studied the effectiveness of withdrawal and it is 80% - not great but reasonable. The early fluid that comes out rarely has live sperm in it (unless the man has just ejaculated). In our clinic we tell women who are taking antibiotics to use another method while they are taking the med and for 7 days after. There are only a few antibiotics that are known to interfere with oral contraceptive effectiveness but who wants to take the chance. The problem with CF (as I see it) is that there are small numbers of women to do the studies on the meds we take and their effect on the hormonal contraceptives. The way the hormonal methods with progestin work is to make the cervical mucus thicker, which also happens for women with CF. So many of you are reporting conflicting info that you get from health care providers. hmmmm Thank you for sharing your experiences. We had a talk about birth control at the Adult Center where I go last November - very exciting! and I am still listening and asking questions about birth control methods for women with CF.
Momtana