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Conference turris::womannotes-v3

Title:	Topics of Interest to Women
Notice:	V3 is closed. TURRIS::WOMANNOTES-V5 is open.
Moderator:	REGENT::BROOMHEAD

Created:	Thu Jan 30 1986
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 30 1995
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1078
Total number of notes:	52352

134.0. "Going back on the Pill" by SMEGIT::PHINNEY () Thu May 17 1990 16:41

    I've just turned 35, am fit as a fiddle (as in REALLY fit), don't
    smoke, etc., etc., and am going back on the pill after a 2 year
    'vacation'.  Prior to that, I was on the pill for 6 years.  I'm
    using (and have always) Demulen with the lowest dosage of estrogen/
    progesterone that there is.
    
    So far, so good.  I started about 1 1/2 weeks ago.  When I was on
    it before, I had absolutely no side effects - it was like taking
    a vitamin pill.  I'm hoping for a similar response this time.
    
    Has anyone been in a similar situation, and if so, is there anything
    I should be aware of/watch for, etc. 
    
    P.S. I just had a complete physical, pap smear, etc. and everything
    was fine.  Also, needless to say, my doctor is aware of my decision and
    supports it (sees no problems).
    
    I guess the big thing I'm worried about is being able to conceive when
    I come off it again.  I didn't try when I stopped the last time, but
    know that I'll be trying when I stop this time.
    
    Thanks for any advice,
    Martha

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
134.1	NOT QUITE AS EASY THE SECOND TIME AROUND	HEIDI::MCGUIRE		`Sun May 20 1990 17:59`	16
	I was an 'ideal' candidate for the pill my first time around...no side effects at all. When I went back on the pill after an 18 month 'vacation,' things did not go as smoothly. Basically, I began getting very bad headaches. Although the headaches could have been related to a chiropractic problem, neither doctor could say for certain. After hearing all the horror stories about women being felled by pill-related strokes, I decided to switch my method of birth control. Dare I say it......as we grow older, it is entirely possible for the body to react differently. Just stay in tune with what your body tells you. Can't give you any feedback on conception, my choice is childless. Take care, Mary
134.2	both times positive effects only	EICMFG::ANTHOFER	when you open your eyes ...	`Mon May 21 1990 14:26`	18
134.3	I had to go off at 35..	BPOV10::PILOTTE		`Mon May 21 1990 15:57`	11
	Its really interesting to hear how diverse doctors can be! I just turned 35 and was told by my GYN that I had to go off permanantly at the age of 35. I am interested in hearing what your doctors feelings where when you said you wanted to go back on....when I had to come off. My Gyn said that it was a risk to be on the pill after 35. I do not smoke or drink or take drugs. Regards, Judy
134.4	I've never had any symptoms	CADSYS::RICHARDSON		`Mon May 21 1990 16:56`	14
	My doctor asked about family history of heart disease and such risk factors when I turned 35 - I've had the same gyn. for many years so he knows that I don't smoke and that I do dance, swim, etc. No heart disease in my family, so all was well. I dread the day I have to go off the Pill! - my normal period is very erratic in length, extremely heavy, and very painful. I haven't been off the Pill since I was in college. I'm 37 now (I don't FEEL that old...;-). I'm not so concerned about preventing pregnancy as I am about preventing monthly misery - except, for me, it was far from monthly, since I varied from as short as 12 days to more than 40, so I could never plan anything like hiking trips, etc. - I really hated it! Life is MUCH better these days! /Charlotte
134.5	off at 35 too	LACV01::PETRIE	words to live by	`Sat May 26 1990 02:47`	12
	Interesting - like Judy's, my doctor took me off the Pill for good when I hit 35, using the same reasons. He's a good solid GYN I've had confidence in...but all the same, it would be nice to go back to a convenient contraceptive. Have the studies changed their opinions? FWIW, after going off the Pill I found that after a couple of months of serious periods, things lightened up and my cycle got really predictable - better than it ever was before I went on the Pill originally. Kathy
134.6	Pill cut-off age raised to 40	TOOK::GEISER		`Tue May 29 1990 20:15`	7
	When I asked my GYN about the 35 age limit on taking the pill a few months ago, she told me that they have recently raised the age to 40 as long as there are no other health problems. You may want to ask your doctor again. Maryann
134.7	Going off the pill -- what to expect?	ROYALT::SULLIVAN	Still singing for our lives	`Fri Aug 02 1991 12:33`	17
	I'm posting this for a member of our community who wants to be anonymous at this time. Justine -- Womannotes Comod ============================================================== I will be going off the pill shortly, and I was wondering if anyone had experience with this. What should I expect from my body? Will my periods be regular? Will I skip? I just want to give my body a break and yes I'll be using another method of birth control. Also, if anyone can add to the information here about what my body might do if I went back on it, please do.
134.8	Skip one, just to make you nervous	TARKIN::TRIOLO	Victoria Triolo	`Fri Aug 02 1991 13:23`	9
	I've gone off the pill several times. Usually, I skip a period. First time it happened, I was incredibly nervous. Figured I was pregnant for sure. Periods were same as on the pill. I've always been very regular anyway. Of course, your mileage may vary.
134.9	Another Resource	MYGUY::LANDINGHAM	Mrs. Kip	`Fri Aug 02 1991 15:00`	1
	Check out NOTED::PARENTING, too.
134.10		TERAPN::PHYLLIS	Wake, now discover..	`Fri Aug 02 1991 17:03`	7
	I never missed a month, but my periods were heavier than they had been not just during the time I was on the pill, but also previous to when I started taking it. Phyllis
134.12		BTOVT::THIGPEN_S	feet of clay	`Fri Aug 02 1991 17:48`	13
	I think every woman's reaction to the Pill, going on/off/back on it, will be different. I took the pill for 4 yrs (16-20) and 2 yrs (27-29) and both times had a series of bladder infections. The docs all swear up and down that there's no connection, but I have never had a bladder infection while I was not on the pill. Going off the pill and back on was otherwise no problem. In the meantime I had/have an IUD, have used various types (including the infamous Dalkon shield) with no ill effects. of course you've discussed your concerns with your doc? Sara
134.13		NOATAK::BLAZEK	nature is a language	`Mon Aug 05 1991 15:21`	8
	After 10 years on it, I went off the pill in December, have had one period since then (thank Goddess!), no PMS, no mood swings, and the only physical difference is the hair on my legs is much darker now. Carla
134.14	dykier = darker	TLE::DBANG::carroll	A woman full of fire	`Mon Aug 05 1991 15:56`	9
	> the only physical difference is the hair on my legs is much > darker now. No, no, Carla, don't you realize, that's related to your sexual orientation, not the pill? :-) D!
134.15	a Looong time ago...	DENVER::DORO		`Thu Aug 08 1991 03:22`	13
	I went off the pill about ten years ago; although I had the lowest strength model available then, it was causing nasty side effects, like cervical erosion... (yuck! doesn't that just SOUND awful?! tain't, really) The side benefit was that my general attitude and mood was considerably better; less mood swings, less severe mood swings I decided to stay off; I read the book "Women and the crisis in Sex hormones". I decided to respect my body more. I recommend the book, although it may be dated.