Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

FertilityCoachingForYou — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:07:58 GMT

YEAH!!! I'm so glad to hear people talking about "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." I teach Fertility Awareness (FA) and until they hear about it from a friend, most of my clients have no idea there's any other way!! I've successfully used FA for over two years now to avoid pregnancy and successfully helped many women achieve pregnancy all because of Fertility Awareness. We have to work to make FA a well known choice for natural birth control!

Have you checked your cervical fluid today???

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

jojo2 — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 14:58:42 GMT

Why are women so intent on doing anything the drug companies suggest.The drugs and their advertisment is for money in their pocket, not in the best interest of women. My friend like hundreds of other women have lost their jobs, live in terrible pain and have many other medical problems. My friend had a very active life and the day she got the lupon she ended up in bed .it has been that way for 2 plus years. Doctors had been paid off to use the drug and the company was fines 859 MILLIONfor their illegal marketing.So think twice ladies before you start popping their long term studies.

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

Click — Sun, 20 May 2007 20:11:33 GMT

Unintended consequences: Do women on the pill choose the "wrong" mate?

Our civilization has embraced aggressive technology without taking care for collateral negative effects. Sometimes it takes us decades to realize what some of the most intrusive and damaging ones are, and often these unintended consequences are kept from public view by government and the corporations making a profit from the technologies. I wanted to share one such consequence of birth control pills that hasn't been mentioned yet.

In Psychology Today, an issue a couple years back, a study was presented on the changes that take place in a woman's discernment of odors, and presumably her choice of partners according to whether she's taking birth control pills. The study presented odors from t-shirts worn by family members and strangers. What they found was somewhat surprising.

Coeds who took birth control pills preferred the odor of men from their own families. Coeds not on birth control pills preferred the odor of men who were strangers. (One hopes that all nuisance variables in the experiment were controlled for.)

This would suggest that a woman taking birth control pills would make an (evolutionary) inappropriate choice of a mate in her dating, responding to men who smelled more like her own family, and that once she stops taking the pills to have a family, she might find herself not liking the smell of her mate, nor her choice of mates.

Researchers speculate that the evolutionary principal involved is that it is beneficial for the species for a woman to accept a mate outside of her clan, but that once she becomes pregnant, it is in the interest of her clan that she retire to the clan's safety to protect the life of the child, so her preference in odor changes. Birth control pills of course mimic pregnancy. The clan, in particular family members, has a 50% genetic interest in the child.

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

DrEric_203 — Mon, 14 May 2007 21:57:06 GMT

Wouldn't less periods mean more sex, hence more orgasms, hence further increasing longevity of life...based on an article posted by Dr. Mercola not too long ago "Sexual Orgasm Increases Longevity" ...doesn't sound too bad afterall, now does it??

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

lien — Sun, 13 May 2007 02:47:59 GMT

I just want to add to my last post that I think it says on birth control packages now that up to 1/3 of women might experience melasma with the use of the pill!!! That's a huge number and my doctors NEVER mentioned this in their discussion of the pill with me. Come to think of it, my doctors never had much of a discussion with me regarding my past health issues, diet, etc. when getting on the pill, renewing my pill prescriptions, etc. It comes down to us taking control of our own health and now that I'm more educated and confident, I do a better job of that, but what about people who haven't been exposed to all the information about these topics????

A side comment - my husband and I have been living out of the country for 5 years and are moving back to the states this year. He is an acupuncturist and I am researching just getting on a catastrophic health care plan for emergency health care and going it on our own with our basic health care with natural health care providers - any suggestions on good catastrophic plans?

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

lien — Sun, 13 May 2007 02:39:38 GMT

I've read all the comments posted so far by 5/11 and didn't see anyone also mention that one disturbing side effect of long term birth control pill use is the development of melasma - a darkening of the facial skin that follows a "butterfly" pattern on the forehead, cheeks. When it comes on due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, it often significantly fades after pregnancy (but often doesn't go away and is usually permanent). I had it come on after 13 years of birth control use in my early 30's. It has grown to cover my forehead and cheeks in an uneven pattern and looks grayish brown. It only gets worse with ANY sun exposure (darkens and spreads) which is very frustrating for someone who wants to get daily sun exposure for mental health and the physical needs of Vitamin D. Melasma isn't at all an indicator for skin cancer or other more serious health issues - it's simply cosmetic, but it is very disheartening to live with what looks like dark, very large birthmarks covering the face. Dermatology treatments are very unsuccessful (3 dermatologists have even refused to treat me because most treatments will only make the condition worse - and after I've read more about the skin lightening products effects on the skin and body, I don't want to take them either).

Anyway, my skin has always been a challenge - bad acne - took Accutane in 1989 for 4 months at a higher dosage than anyone is allowed to be prescribed now. My skin was acne free for about 5 years which was great, but I think my liver has been permanently damaged from the Accutane (if you research that horrible drug, you'll just be stunned at how it can still be on the market). I wonder how the combination of the Accutane and long term birth control usage has contributed to some of my health issues. I went off the pill 4 years ago (a full 2 years before wanting to conceive) and have done cleansing and eat a much more natural diet. <

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

Bob121042 — Sat, 12 May 2007 23:29:23 GMT

Has anyone ever thought that there might be a link between autism and the use of birth control pills?

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

Birdlady — Sat, 12 May 2007 21:33:23 GMT

The only method that I feel comfortable with is using a little computer called Lady-Comp/ Baby-Comp. It isn't popular in the US and I don't really know why, but it used over in Europe a lot!

You buy the initial computer which is about $450 dollars and that is it. You never have to buy batteries for it or anything. All you do is take your temperature each morning, input your menstrual cycle and it tells you each day what your fertility is like.

Green days are infertile meaning you do not need to use any protection. Yellow days are caution days where the computer is either unsure or learning your cycle. I rarely have these days now that I have been using it for over a year. Red days are fertile days where you need to use some other form of birth control such as a condom. Lastly, Red blinking days are your most fertile. Extreme caution because this is your most fertile day of the month.

Now the best thing about this is it really lets me know about my cycle and if you choose to have a baby, it plans out your ovulation as well for you.

Birth control pills gave me HORRIBLE migraines that have disappeared since I got off of them. yay! Lady-Comp was the best thing I have ever purchased and it works. No babies =)

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

KiddoDre — Sat, 12 May 2007 16:39:52 GMT

This is very depressing news for those who suffer from endometriosis. I had to have a laparotomy for Stage IV endo in 2005; the disease had destroyed one of my ovaries and damaged the other. To avoid taking Lupron - apparently a horrific drug from all accounts I've heard and read - I chose a continuous birth control regimen to prevent the disease from returning. So far it has worked. My understanding is that the endo will return if I discontinue the birth control pills - that is an unacceptable option for me. If anyone on these boards has had an experience in which she has eliminated her endo without the help of birth control, I would love to read about it.

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

No Middle Name — Sat, 12 May 2007 16:36:59 GMT

I have done a lot research on hormones. Birth control pills put the body in early menopause and increase risk of breast cancer and probably other diseases as you age. The research has already been done. Do your own. A bill in before the US Senate (introduced by Ted Kennedy), The Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007, which could put all medicines (and vitamins) under a new drug co division of FDA (which means drug co control). Write your congressmen. See:

http://www.thewileyprotocol.com/images/stories/pdf2007/SenateTestimonyWiley_04_18_2007.pdf

http://www.pubmed.com

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

No Middle Name — Sat, 12 May 2007 16:04:25 GMT

I have done a lot of research female hormones. Taking birth control pills puts the body into early menopause plus increases your risk of breast cancer. There is NO free lunch. We, as women, cannot have it all. Drug companies are NOT really interested in preventing breast cancer and other diseases. They make too much money off of these diseases. Birth control pills are providing current big profits plus ensuring future profits from other diseases. The reseach has already been done. Do your own. There is a bill before committee now (sponsored by Ted Kennedy/Burr/Roberts) called the Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007 which could limit what you are allowed to buy to drug company products. Write your congressmen. See:

http://www.pubmed.com
http://www.thewileyprotocol.com/images/stories/pdf2007/SenateTestimonyWiley_04_18_2007.pdf

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

Coince — Sat, 12 May 2007 14:40:30 GMT

I agree with Dr. Mercola.

I had a benign ovarian cyst removed in 1991. I was told to go on birth control to inhibit future cysts from growing. I was on the pill for 14 years, many of those years I was not sexually active, and was only on it becuase the doctors told me I should be. In late 2005 I was diaganosed with borderline ovarian cancer and had a total hysterectomy. After reading Dr. John Lee's book on hormones and several other authors I now believe that the pill caused the cancer. Our hormones are a delicately balanced system that should not be messed with. I now have suffered way more serious problems that a benign cyst.

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

RFriend — Sat, 12 May 2007 13:46:50 GMT

Perhaps some women should avoid all hormones, but for some of us these pills have been an unadulterated blessing; and not just because of birth control. I started menstruating at age 12, from the second period I had agonizing, debilitating cramps. I have had 2 children, delivered without any anesthesia or pain meds whatsoever, and I'm here to tell naysayers that severe menstrual cramps are far more painful than childbirth. (Recent stats show a "strong" childbirth contraction is 100-120 mmHg of pressure, while a severe menstrual cramp may reach 400-500 mmHg.) My first daughter was nearly born out of the hospital because I kept waiting for childbirth to "hurt." I read a book until 3 minutes before she was born. Menstrual cramps ran my life 2-6 days of every month for years. Then I started on birth control pills and got my life back; I wasn't anemic, tired and washed out all the time either. The second there was research showing that a monthly period wasn't necessary, I began suppressing periods. Long before Seasonale hit the market. (I'm sure it was a male who thought up the idea that women "need" a period psychologically.) I have tried every single herb, herb combination, "natural hormone" preparation, and bio-identical hormone replacement--all without any significant relief--and I used some of those treatments faithfully for months. I have a period when I "feel" that heavy, pre-period sensation--about 1-2 times per year. I have taken several "holidays" from the pills to allow my body to re-set itself. Incidentally, I have no personal or family risk factors for any type of female cancer, I'm a non-smoker and I exercise a lot. (Have run 2 marathons.) I'm now 50 and looking forward to menopause. Until that happy day, I'm finished with periods.

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

coveredmomma — Sat, 12 May 2007 12:59:57 GMT

Some insight as to why this no periods thing is even a selling point. A lot of the women I know are so uncomfortable with the natural functions of the female system. They tend to think the majority of the natural occuring discharges and such are gross and nasty. These are grown women with children. Unless they were activly trying to concive they would love nothing better than to do away with the whole"mess".
I on the other hand have a different mindset about the whole thing. The biggest difference seems to be that I have deeply educated myself about each sign, symptom and discharge and why its there. By taking charge of my health I have minimized most of the true discomforts and problems. Sure it can be annoying but I would never think of my period as gross or unsanitary. I plan on passing this way of thinking on to my daughters.

re: Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

AnnInMaine — Sat, 12 May 2007 12:54:39 GMT

Before taking Miracette a low dose bcp I was experiencing severe perimenopausal symptoms. Not sleeping, hot flashes,anxiety, constant arrythmias, crying spells,urinary incontinence you name it.....I was using alternative natural methods (herbs, soy Bio Feed back) for about a year and it just wasnt working for me. Im 48 and went into instant menopause at age 47. Had massive weight gain as well before taking the Miracette, about 20 pounds in less than a year. Also had a saliva test for the adrenals done. Everything about my body was on stress overload.
My doctor has prescribed this method for less than 2 years and to wean off with in that time. I dont smoke, I take Melaleucas grapeskin/seed supplements to keep my blood slippery, fish oil and a chelated mineral and vitamin. I feel GREAT! WOW!

I believe there is a place for the pill if used appropriately and monitored closely in conjunction with natural medicine and methods.

PS no side effects to date, have been using for 3 weeks.