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Hidden Dangers of New Birth Control Pill

The U.S. FDA is likely going to approve Lybrel, a birth control pill that eliminates monthly menstruation entirely, in the near future.

No extra risks are known to be caused by this form of the pill, but many people are uneasy about the idea.

Some doctors have cautioned that little research has been conducted on potential long-term effects. The subject has caused debate within the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research, which studies medicine and social science relating to menses.

In 2003, the group issued a position statement that more research was needed before women could make an informed decision. Some members have pointed out that the same hormones that work on the menstrual cycles also act on the brain, bones, and skin.

Lybrel is the next step in a growing trend of pills that alter the 28-day menstrual cycle. The first was 2003's Seasonale, which results in four periods each year.

The Ledger April 20, 2007

International Herald Tribune April 19, 2007


Dr. Mercola's Comment:

The past few months have been punctuated with plenty of news about birth control, from patches to less effective forms of contraception in a pill. Now Lybrel, developed by Wyeth, is set to launch soon, despite reports that oral contraceptives that limit periods aren't performing in the drug marketplace as expected.

However, that hasn't stopped business analysts from making predictions about the market for Lybrel -- $250 million annually -- or Wyeth's announcement last week that nearly two-thirds of the women they surveyed were interested in giving up their periods.

Of course, the powers that be can't tell you or anyone else how controlling a woman's menstruation with a pill will affect her overall health, due to absolutely no data being available.

So, it is certainly possibly one could use these pills for a few months without major problems -- IF one did not factor in the matter of this manipulation being achieved with ARTIFICIAL hormones that are prescriptions for disaster over the long run.

Oral contraceptives are synthetic hormones that your body is not designed to be exposed to in any way, shape or form. Long-term use will invariably increase the user's risk of developing serious chronic illness, including blood clots and other problems.

Additionally, long-term suppression of periods will minimize blood loss and could contribute to iron overload syndromes that are so pervasive in men. Elevated iron stores are one of the primary risk factors for cancer and heart disease.

Most drugs do have some legitimate purpose on occasion and do provide some benefit in certain situations; but this just isn't the case for birth control pills. I really don't believe that there is ever any clinical indication to use them.

As always, your best bet is to avoid birth control pills like the plague and seek out safer solutions that can be just as effective.

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Comment on This Article Community Comments (78)
 
 
Posted On Apr 23, 2007
I just wanted to let people know that there are some forms of natural family planning that use abstinence based on the sympto-thermal method.
(The couple uses basal body temperature, cervical mucous changes
and calendar calculations to either refrain from to prevent pregnancy
or have intercourse to become pregnant.)

It is taught at my Catholic church by one of our family practice residents
and his wife, and is open to anyone of any faith who wishes to learn the
method.

We have a lot of people interested in it because of side effects from
birth control pills, strong history of cancer in the family, etc.

I am not advocating this method, just posting it for your information.   I
talk to alot of people who got sick on birth control pills and wish they had
more choices offered to them.

Respectfully,
Dawn

 
Reesacat
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 1/2007
Reesacat  
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Michigan Mom
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Michigan Mom  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
I have been using Natural Family Planning for years. I just wanted to emphasize that it is NOT the Rhythm Method and is highly effective once you learn it. It is a great alternative to artificial hormones.

Learn it here:

http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Reproductive/dp/0060937645


vegmama
Novice User Novice User Joined On 4/2007
vegmama  
 
Posted On Apr 26, 2007
My husband and I began using sympto-thermal method from day 1 of our marriage.  Unfortunately I had used the pill for 5 years, 2 years prior to marrying my husband.  We lost our first baby due to early miscarriage and blighted ovum.  I researched and found I had symptoms of low-progesterone.  We then switched to the Creighton Model, a standardized mucus-only method of NFP so that we could have our cycles evaluated by Dr. Hilgers at Pope Paul VI Institute.  We got pregnant after 1 month of charting and had my progesterone levels tested every 2 weeks.  I received natural progesterone supplements througout the entire pregnancy and have a beautiful son, now 13 months.  Just goes to show how long the effects of the pill can last.  I deeply regret the mistakes of my past. 

A side note: I was never warned of the effects of the pill.  I read the warnings on the insert, but didn't take them seriously.  After all, if the pill were really dangerous my Dr. wouldn't prescribe it to me, right?  And so many people I knew wouldn't be on it, right?  I'm still angry that I was never told.  And I certainly didn't know that it can act as an abortifacient.  I feel let down by society.   All this fighting for "women's rights" yet women aren't being protected or informed when it comes to fertility.  So naive, I was!


Miss Melissa
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 1/2007
Miss Melissa  
 
Posted On May 12, 2007
I think that men have an important role in this discussion.  Often times, BC pills are viewed as "the easiest" and "most convenient" form of BC, both by men and women. 

I know that many women have felt pressure from husbands or boyfriends, to take the pill.  I hope that in the future, we can help change the way women AND men view birth control pills. 

I hope that the men interested in this story can help supprt their women in researching and using other forms of birth control. 


Reesacat
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 1/2007
Reesacat  
 
Posted On May 12, 2007
Well said, Miss Melissa!


docpoehlmann
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2006
docpoehlmann  
 
Posted On May 13, 2007
There is a much better alternative called Maybe Baby. It is a little microscope where you put a drop of saliva and let it dry. If it forms a fern pattern it is an indication that the woman is fertile.
The menstrual cycle is a natural form of blood letting, a method that is used for hundreds of years for the treatment of all kinds of diseases. This is one major reason why women live on average longer than men and why so many women get menopausal problems once the blood letting stops. Interfering with the hormonal system is asking for troubles even if this does not show up immediately.


SandyGal
Novice User Novice User Joined On 5/2007
SandyGal  
 
Posted On May 14, 2007
I second Michigan Mom!  'Take Charge of Your Fertility' is an incredible book!  It should be required reading in sex ed, as well as for every doctor before they can practice medicine.  It explains the Fertility Awareness Method, which is very similar to the Natural Family Planning Method or sympto-thermal method.  I've also heard of the Creighton Method, which seems pretty similar but goes into addition symptom charting and more in-depth testing. 

There's also a lesser known birth control option that I stumbled across and is starting to work well for me.  A woman, Louise Lacey, in the 1970's found that sleeping in total darkness all cycle long, except for 3 nights with a light on around ovulation, could regulate a woman's cyclce and help her predict when ovulation would take place.  It takes a little more time to get your body to adjust to the pattern, but helps women obtain regular, more balanced cycles as well.  Her book is now out of print, but you can still get an authorized copy from her through her website.  She calls this method Lunaception.  I've received her book and am reading it now.  Great info!

Lunaception: A femine odyssey into fertility and contraception by Louise Lacey
www.lunaception.net/avoid.htm


sweet melissa
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 2/2007
sweet melissa  
 
Posted On May 15, 2007
I have been using the " maybe Baby or microscop method" for a couple of monthes now and it is really easy. Before that I was on the pill for 10 years and before that I tried the depo shot. The depo shot was convient a shot in the arm every 3 monthes, but it made me extremly moody, I would verbally attack someone at the drop of a dime! And I had light bleeding for the entier year I was on the shot, I was told that the bleeding usually stopped after the first year on the shot but with the drastic mood swinges I decieded I needed to keep my sanity and switched to the pill. My RN suggested the pill as an alternative to the shot because it would keep my skin clear, I will admitt I have had beutifull flawless skin on my face for the past 10 years but I was still extremly emotional, this time more prone to cry over anything. since getting off birth controll completly I have noticed a little bit of acne on my forhead but my mood has improved so much I really don't care. I feel much more in charge of my emotions and my reproductive health. I will continue to increase my efforts on makeing as many healthy lifstyle choices as is possible for me and hopefully will be able to get rid of the acne that way

 
 
 
Posted On Apr 23, 2007
 

The pill causing allergies... hummm... what doesn't the pill cause, besides pregnancy? I work with so many women that have been on it for years and now have such a dysfunctional hormonal system. Most are so progesterone deficient (becoming estrogen dominant) that their estrogen has free rain on their body.

The pill is just a synthetic make up of hormones that your body cannot handle or match up with. This is a large stress to the body so on top of it, you can create fungal, parasite, detoxification pathway and adrenal issues. Bio-identical homrones are the way to go since they are derived from plants and match the genetic make up of human hormones. They do not take the place of your hormones like synthetic ones, that is why you have to stay on synthetics forever and once you go off you are screwed again. Bio-identicals jump start your own system to start producing its own.

Just off the internet, here are some side effects I found. Why not just use safe sex?

  • bleeding between periods
  • weight gain
  • nausea
  • breast tenderness
  • headaches
  • mood changes
  • blood clots (usually occur only in women over 35 who smoke)
  • A -for severe abdominal pain 
    C -for severe chest pain or shortness of breath 
    H -for severe throbbing headache
    E -for eye problems, such as flashing lights or vision disturbance 
    S -for severe leg pains 
  • thyroid dysfunction
  • fibroids
  • increase risk of cancer

 
Josh Rubin
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 6/2006
Josh Rubin  
Replied

Reesacat
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 1/2007
Reesacat  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
I have also seen high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar.  (The
conditions mimic those found in pregnancy and resolve once the pill
is stopped.)  I have had RN friends of mine with these side effects being
told by their doctor it's not due to the pill and keep prescribing it even though they are 39, etc.



sandrews
Novice User Novice User Joined On 4/2007
sandrews  
 
Posted On Apr 28, 2007
we women are supposed to menstruate every month. that pill gets in the way of natural cycles and can cause you to suffer from so many problems. you could probably come up with a very long list of potential problems for the user. the fda is crazy for approving of such a thing all because periods cramp someones style. people should just deal, it's natural and they last only for a few days. dealing sounds better than putting yourself at risk for possible health problems

 
 
 
Posted On Apr 23, 2007
 

As I read more and more of this stuff I can’t help but ask, “What is their goal?” Have you ever thought about that?

They are trying so hard to change natural function in humans that if you could project their actions on a time line and could see what they were trying to end up with I think it would be an Oscar winning all out scary horror film!

What in the world is driving modern medical science? OK I guess money is of course the answer.

Now with out being ashamed to quote the Bible, “The LOVE of money is the root of all evil!” (1st Timothy 6:10) - And this love for money applied to innocent victims health is manifesting as the very author of evil itself!!

Whew! What times these are!


 
The Herb Doc
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 11/2006
The Herb Doc  
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Reesacat
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 1/2007
Reesacat  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
Dr. Gussa, I do believe the money angle is a big factor.  However, they
would not spend the time and money to deveolop new birth control pills
if the demand was not there.

We need to be role models to young women, teaching them to be very
respectful of their ability to have children and not treat their reproductive
systems as something to be ashamed of and inconvient to deal with so
give me a pill.

I always enjoy your posts!  Let us know about the fishing road trip-sounds like fun:)!


The Herb Doc
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 11/2006
The Herb Doc  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
Thank you. This is so very true!!
What bothered me was the fact that this new stuff encourages and lets women stop periods for years. This seems so unnatural and dangerous to me.


mama_d
Novice User Novice User Joined On 4/2007
mama_d  
 
Posted On Apr 24, 2007
Dr. Gussa,
    I think the real question is not what "their" goal is.  What is Satan's goal.  He hates people almost as much as he hates God.  If we were the people we should be- seeking what God wants for our life, we wouldn't be so vulnerable to his cons.  Just think about it- how many people were throwing away their children, much less preventing them, sixty years ago and how many people were at least giving lip service to God and righteousness.  As man has turned more to self and away from God and His Word, things have gotten worse and worse.  We talk about the masses....  The Bible says that wisdom comes from God.  I am thankful for this website that gives me insight not only to health but what the government is doing to destroy it but I'm much more thankful to for the Bible because it gives me guidance for this life and assurance of the one to come!  Thanks for letting me share....


cheftodd
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
cheftodd  
 
Posted On Apr 25, 2007
It doesn;t matter what old satan's goal is. flip to the back of the bible. We have already won!  but satan does try to worm his way in things. money, Drug Companies,ect.              mama d, keep it up. God is good


launcher
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 4/2007
launcher  
 
Posted On May 06, 2007
Doc,

The goal, let's see hormones for all women of child bearing age, hormones for women past child bearing age, hormones for women post castration (along with a heavy practice of unnecessary female castration).  The goal can only be the control and removal of the independent and basic fuctions of the female body.  I think the money is a side perk along with the harvesting of patients, societal outcomes like reduced female protection of the young, reduced female influence and participation in the overall society, and nullification of women as a power or voice for change.

That's what makes this so frightening.

 
 
 
Posted On Apr 23, 2007
This post was deleted because it violated our Terms Of Use :
Submit stories or comments linking to affiliate programs, multi-level marketing schemes, or off-topic content or any other system that will result in your personal financial or commercial gain.

 
organicmum
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organicmum  
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minnie-me
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 2/2007
minnie-me  
 
Posted On Apr 29, 2007
 
The HPV vaccine contains polysorbit 80, which has been known to cause sterility in lab mice...FWIW.... 


Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On Apr 29, 2007
well polysorbate 80 blocks conversion of testosterone to DHT form, so it has hormonal effects.  Or maybe it's polysorbate 20...  I have a bottle at home so I'll check later.  I love chemicals!
Luckily I saved this window and EDIT feature still there, so update:
Vitamin Research Products Polysorbate 80
works to help reverse excessive hair loss at the follicle levelby stripping away DHT (dihydrotestosterone)...
I'm sure you are right minnie-me.  I ain't recommending it - I bought it coupla/few years ago and did not figure out how to use this gooey stuff.  However, I will contact Nestle or Coca Cola or McDonalds and I'm sure they will buy it from me and add it to their products and I could use the money.


minnie-me
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 2/2007
minnie-me  
 
Posted On May 04, 2007
Good point, Witch Doctor.... 
Ummmm...McDonalds needs a new drink to go with their Triple Bacon Cheese Death Burger and Chem-Fries. How about a "Poly-Sorbate Slushy???? Oooh yeah.... yummy! 
 In another generation, they won't need "McKid Meals"...the polysorbate 80 will take care of that, so they will have to target adults with the promise to restore hair loss. How does McChia heads sound? I can see it now..."Be the first big person on your block to collect the entire set!"


Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On May 04, 2007
minnie-me - that was a good laugh, and I went on-line and found out what a chia head is, too.  Thanks, because I feel more relaxed now on that note.  Signing off.  Duane

 
 
 
Posted On Apr 26, 2007
 My life was ruined by birth control pills. An evil quack gave them to me to "regulate my periods". Also, when I was only fifteen, she prescribed Provera to me because I hadn't started menstruating yet! Of course I hadn't started menstruating, I was athletic and thin! So then when I did get periods, I had PMS. They were never regular, either. So she prescribed birth control pills! I developed asthma from them and severe PMS, and as I got treatment for asthma (corticosteroids) my health began to deteriorate. That same quack, Dr. Rowe was her name, "gaslighted" me into thinking I had bipolar disorder. She duped me. I don't know why she was out to get me. But she was. Maybe she was getting paid off by the medical establishment in some way to give referral to psychiatrists. Anyway, I took psychiatric drugs for ten years. They almost killed me. The withdrawals are unbelievable. I have been completely drug and herb-free for one year, and I'm still afraid to leave home. I'm lucky to be alive. I want to share this with others so they can avoid these horrible lies. Don't ever take birth control pills! Don't ever take corticosteroids! Don't ever take psychiatric drugs! Instead, eliminate fish and seafood from your diet, and get your mercury fillings removed. Mercury fillings cause asthma and mood problems. But b.c. pills will trigger your allergy to mercury, or worsen a pre-existing one, as it did for me. It does this by weakening the immune system, and the nervous system.

Don't create bad karma in your life by taking birth control pills. Ever.

 
saynotoquacks
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 4/2007
saynotoquacks  
Replied

launcher
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 4/2007
launcher  
 
Posted On Apr 30, 2007
Say No Til You Know campaign 04-25-07 thru 04-25-08

Can you imagine a country where sex organs are removed from 622,000 mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends each year? That country is not in Africa or Asia or South America.  It’s the United States of America.

Join hundreds of thousands of women and men by signing a petition to make sure that every woman who is told she needs surgery to remove her female organs is provided with the HERS Foundation’s video “Female Anatomy: the Functions of the Female Organs.”
 
Sign the “Say No Til You Know” petition: http://hersfoundation.org/anatomy/

The adverse effects of the removal of a woman’s sex organs is anything but routine, and yet no other part of the human anatomy is removed as frequently as the uterus and ovaries. There are 22 million women alive in this country whose reproductive sex organs have been removed. A statistically insignificant number of men have had their sex organs removed, even though the rate of cancer in the male and female organs is nearly identical.

Please forward this email to all your friends and family, and make sure they sign this urgent petition!

Sign the “Say No Til You Know” petition: http://hersfoundation.org/anatomy/


saynotoquacks
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
saynotoquacks  
 
Posted On May 01, 2007
Launcher, this is very frightening. It is female castration, and it is sexual abuse.

Birth control pills are chemical female castration. Yet they are the sacred cow of many "feminists." Feminists need to educate themselves and stop hating their bodies! BC pills do not liberate women! They destroy us! They made me hate my femaleness so much I wanted to be a man so badly. How could abusing women's bodies with hormones be considered "liberating?"

I don't believe in drugs or medical procedures, and I don't belong to any religious sect. Trust a used car salesman before you trust a doctor.


launcher
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 4/2007
launcher  
 
Posted On May 02, 2007
Saynotoquacks, you get no argument from me, I agree with the BC as castration as it robs one of a normal endocrine pattern.  Based on the views posted, I think the consequences speak for themselves.  I recommend reading "The Greatest Experiment Ever Performed on Women, Exploding the Estrogen Myth" for history on the Pill.

I hope you followed the link and viewed the video and consider signing the petition.  All of this is most definitely abuse of women and needs to stop before it becomes the legacy of another generation of women just like these new BC pills.  Frightening, yes.  I also agree with BC pills not being liberating, but all of these issues surround the withholding of the truth so women are not able to make informed choices and risks are masqueraded as benefits.


saynotoquacks
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
saynotoquacks  
 
Posted On May 04, 2007
Launcher, I just signed the petition. Thank you for raising awareness of this.

Women are routinely abused by the medical system more than men. They are given pap smears even when they clearly tell the doctor they do not engage in unprotected sex, or sex at all. I was never told they were testing me for an STD. I had no idea. Those tests are horribly demeaning and painful. I will never get that again. Women need to protect themselves against b.c. pills and unnecessary medical procedures. What about hormone replacement therapy for menopause? At least I know enough now that when I reach menopause i won't fall for that one!


Kimberley_203
Novice User Novice User Joined On 4/2007
Kimberley_203  
 
Posted On May 13, 2007
We live in a world gone MAD! It seems the more I learn the less I know.

I am so thankful that I had the God given sense not to use birth control pills. I had my third and last child eight years ago.  With a simple mark of the calendar, eight years ago was my last pregnancy. It has worked for me 100%!!!

One thing I did not have the God given sense about is to allow a dentist to put 12 amalgam fillings into my teeth.  I can say this, the price I pay every day for that ignorance is one that no dollar figure could ever amount to.  There is no suffering like the suffering caused by mercury poisoning!


reflexologist927
Novice User Novice User Joined On 10/2006
reflexologist927  
 
Posted On May 14, 2007
I'm so sorry to hear about your medical nightmares, but glad that you're on your way to recovery.
Do you know about the Bach Flower Essences?  they are gentle, safe, homeopathic remedies that help turn negative emotions into positive ones.  I live by them.  I encourage you to do some research: www.bachcentre.com.  I am also in the process of becoming a registered practitioner and would be glad to help you choose the right combination.

feel free to e-mail me: ethericjourneys@yahoo.com

 
 
 
 
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