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 Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 6:18 pm
Breathe in,
First off, I'm 16 years old and anemic. I tend to have pretty heavy periods, and it causes my iron levels to drop which has some not so lovely symptoms.
I had my first every OBGYN appointment last December, and that was when I found out I am in fact, anemic. My doctor tried to talk me into getting put on birth control then, but I just wasn't for it. So she perscribed me 800mg Ibuprofen, and told me to just take Iron as well.
Well, that does work I think. But still, I'm not fond of the symptoms I have when my iron is low. Mostly I get really tired, and irritable. Along with that I tend to get very cold, and my nails become brittle. And as of here lately I'm just really thinking about getting put on birth control to lighten my periods and such.
But guys, I'm kinda scared. =/ See, I've always wanted to have children, and although from everything I've read being put on birth control now won't affect my chances later...I'm still scared it might. I'm also scared I might have some kind of reaction to the medicine and get really sick. My Mom and other family have had some unpleasant reactions to birth control, and I'm just not sure I want to chance it. Along with that, cancer runs in my family...badly. Breast Cancer in particular, which bc would probably put me at more of a risk.
So what do you guys think? Mom said I should probably just see about a low dosage...which if I were to take it, that's what it'd be more than likely. And I don't know why, but I just think that I'd be judged for being on it. I don't plan on having sex anytime soon, this would be the only reason, but just...eh.
Opionions? Advice? All is welcome.
Even if I decide against it, I'd still like for you guys to give me some insight of some sort.
Breathe out.
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 6:32 pm
You shouldn't worry about being judged because no one would even know you were on the pill unless you told them.
There is no evidence that the pill harms your future fertility, so you don't have to worry much about that.
So that leaves a possible bad reaction. Well, some women do have bad reactions. But most women do fine on the pill. And if your doctor thought you would have a bad reaction or high chance of complications due to your family history, then she probably wouldn't be recommending it to you.
But I'd recommend tweaking your diet first off. If nutrition is the problem, get more iron in your diet, eat healthier foods, take vitamins regularly if you haven't been, etc. If that doesn't work or that's what you've already tried, try getting a second opinion. Maybe another doctor would have another suggestion for you. And if not, maybe you'd feel more comfortable with the birth control if two doctors thought it was safe and appropriate for you. 3nodding
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 8:58 am
My mom was sick when she did BC too. they were much higher doses when our parents were younger. getting sick is less of an issue. adverse reactions are more likely to be things like irritability etc and if you have a reaction like this they will switch your type. all type of bc have different levels of hormones. you CAN get a low dose one. talk to your doctor about the doses and the chances of getting sick.
ALSO I found it hard to talk to my doctor so I went to a health nurse. they are often easier to talk to because they aren't so rushed.
i understand being irrationally scared as well 9although you have rational reasons) I went to get multivitamins and the pharmacist said I should be on pregnancy vitamins just because they actually have all the right amounts of vitamins and other vitamins don't. I FREAKED I am not getting pregnant any time soon I told her. razz heh funny.
gl
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Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 6:31 pm
Breathe in,
Thanks guy, I guess I'll just have to discuss it with my doctor when I go. I probably should right down some things to ask her...
And as far as being judged, I'm just afraid some paranoid family member of mine might found out and automatically assume I'm having sex.
I'm also a bit concerned I'd forget to take it or something if it was a pill. On the other hand, my mom said that nuvaring/thing inserted in arm/shots/etc. are long-lasting and so if I did have a reaction, it'd probably be harder to get it out of my system. So I'd probably end up with a low dosage pill...
Breathe out.
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Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 9:39 pm
If you had the Depo shot (injection in the arm), that would be hard to get rid of. If you had a reaction, there'd be no way to get it out of your system. At least with the Pill, Patch, NuvaRing and implant in the arm, those can be removed/stopped if you have a bad reaction.
My mom has had breast cancer too, so like you I am at a 30% increased risk of getting it. I also have a history of cancer on both sides of the family. I've been on birth control since I was 17 (until earlier this year), and there's never been any evidence that birth control hurts one's fertility. Some of the stronger methods like Depo take longer to wear off, but they don't make you infertile.
There are such things as the low-dose and Mini Pill, so you can ask your doctor about them.
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Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 10:08 pm
Your family shouldn't jump to such conclusions just because you are on the pill, and if they do, just explain why you are on it.
I was put on the pill at 15 as well, and I wasn't having sex at the time of being put on it. My family never knew I was on birth control for the longest time, as far as I know anyway. Besides, I'd taken the "its none of your damn business" approach with my family anyway. sweatdrop
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Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:52 pm
Breathe in,
Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.
If I do decide to get put on it, I will probably do a low dosage, just to help shorten my periods. I think I'm going to wait though, I'll probably go back to the doctor in December, and even then might still want to just take the extra iron, and ibuprofen as I've been doing...and somehow figure out a way of not being so darn tired during my periods.
As far as cancer, my doctor said at my last appointment that it really wouldn't put me at too much of a risk because the women with breast cancer in my family were mostly on my Dad's side. (Seems to be it'd be the same chance as if it were on my Mother's, but whatever) Regardless, I'm still hesitant about taking it. I think my doctor was getting a little pushy with me.
Funny, I had to tell her and the nurse before her, TWICE, that I am not sexually active.
As far as my family, I just think my grandad's would probably say something or overreact. There's a lot of people who are/were teen Mom's in my family (including my own Mother), and they'd probably somehow manage to hear I'm on it, assume I'm having sex, and possibly be weird about it. If they are, oh well...they can get over it. I know my reasons. 3nodding
And hey, even if they do assume I'm having sex...at least I'd be being smart about it, if I were.
(Preston, that's probably the attitude I'll need. =3)
Thanks again, you guys rock. (:
Breathe out.
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