I am considering on trying to go on bc, but I'm wary about side effects due to past history

[arilishart]

hi, i'm kind of seeking advice about options on here as my doctor had suggested that I should try to go on BC for my pmdd and dysmenorrhea symptoms. the thing is... I've tried birth control pills in the past for accutane, but was really sensitive to the side effects. they even put me on the lowest dose (and just estrogen only, no combo if that makes sense?) when I was younger and I basically felt sick for days straight that I eventually had to take myself off it. I don't really like the way my periods make me feel emotionally. I experience strong onsets of emotional mood swings like anger, sadness, anxiety... that I feel so misplaced with my body.

I've noticed I feel so much happier (mentally) when my periods skip sometimes, and I wish that lasted for a bit longer. I only know about the IUD being an option for non-hormonal bc, but are there any alternatives besides that as well? I'd like to try the patch, but I'm not sure if there is a non-hormonal patch. I'm also curious as to why I was extremely sensitive to BC younger even on the lowest doses they give to me? I'd appreciate the help!

[Sofi]

Hi arilishart, welcome to the boards!

I'm happy to send you some info, but also wanted to ask, is this something you can also discuss with your doctor? I believe getting a second opinion (from a reputable source) about stuff like this is always a good thing, so I'm glad you found us. I just want to make sure you're also talking to your GYN about this, if you haven't already, since we're not healthcare professionals here.

We have a wonderful resource here called Birth Control Bingo, you can click on the name there to read it. You can learn about all the different types of birth control options there. The IUD is the most popular method as you mentioned, but there are other options - also, the minipill is a progesterone-only pill, so it doesn't have estrogen which is what gives some people negative side effects. If you want to talk more or have more questions about a specific form of BC you see listed after you read up on it, let me know!

[arilishart]

Hi sofi, thanks for replying.

so first, it was my gynecologist that recommended me to go on BC, but I had discussed with her about my disfavor for them due to negative side effects in the past. Most of my symptoms were onset nausea and vomiting, and what I've discovered in my medical records that I took the combo pill first for a couple days, then remember when I received the progesterone pill at a low dose, the side effects were still strong. I kind of just realized that my options for BC are extremely limited - since I've checked the patch has combo of estrogen and progesterone. The IUD, while im sure definitely helps for many, sounds like an excruciating process for me to handle (especially with no anesthesia would drive me wild). I do feel a little bit lost here and wish that my body could cooperate just like the rest of everyone else's. It does remind me that when my mom discussed about my severity to my doctors when I was younger about BC.... they kind of just give me a side-eye.

[Sofi]

I'm so sorry you were invalidated by doctors. As someone with endometriosis and PMDD that weren't diagnosed until I was almost 30, I can unfortunately relate. But we know our bodies best, and it's (also unfortunately) true that some people don't handle birth control "as well" as others, so you're valid and I hope you're able to keep advocating for yourself. <3

Regarding the IUD, also as someone who struggles with that sort of procedure, my understanding is you can ask for anesthesia (although you might get pushback from your doctor, in which case you can advocate for yourself or just go to a different doctor). I had a similar procedure done once under anesthesia and while it's not the norm, it's an option that you're more than allowed to take.

Do you feel like that might be something you'd want to talk to your GYN about? I know maybe the initial procedure isn't the only concerning part of the IUD process, but it's debatably the worst part, so if you can avoid being fully awake for that, it could be a good solution here?