the pill & blood clots - Birth Control Message Board

angel191 · 06-19-2005, 02:28 AM

I can't take the pill because my family has a history of blood clots. It there a pill out there that does not have a risk of blood clots? Or are there any other very effective birth control methods out there that are safe for me?? My boyfriend talks about using condoms but they have a risk of breaking. But I need something that is less risky.

BorderGirl · 06-19-2005, 08:11 AM

Maybe you should look into fertility awareness. It will enable you to abstain during the times there is a chance you could get pregnant. It is just as effective as the pill with perfect use (though it does take some practice to know your body well enough to practice the method perfectly...they suggest 3 months). Taking Charge of Your Fertility (easy read, non-religious tone) and The Art of Natural Family Planning (stricter rules, religious tone) are great books to read up on this. It is a little scary to wrap your mind around this method at first

But once you are used to it, I think you'll find it is the most effective non-hormonal method of birth control.

omalll · 06-19-2005, 10:42 AM

I think progestin-only pills (like ortho micronor) have a lower incidence of blood clots than the more common combined estrogen-progestin pills (like, ortho tricyclen). I have heard that women who are at greater risk of blood clots (like, if you are over 35 or if you smoke) can take these progestin-only pills as a safer alternative. They are just as effective when taken perfectly. This may be something you could safely consider.

ALOdem · 06-20-2005, 09:32 AM

I can't take combined birth control pills either. They actually caused blood clots to form in my lungs. Spent a week in the hospital and a year on coumadin. I took Depo Provera before I tried the pill so that's what I went back to. Depo seems to be unpopular on the boards, but it could be a safe alternative for you.

I read up on the mini pills before going back to Depo and I decided they weren't for me. From what I read, they didn't seem to be as effective and if you miss one pill, you have to use a back up method for a week. I think they also warned about blood clots for those too, but I'm not sure if I remember that correctly.

The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about all of your options. He can tell you more about the risks of each kind.

Hope this helps some.

melijen18 · 07-21-2005, 10:44 PM

I had a case of 10 clots in my lungs last year (22 years old) and the ONLY thing, (after test, test, and more tests) is the cause of the clots was birth control that I was on. I was taking Ortho TriCyclen for the previous 5 years and had never had a problem before.

I went to a gyno to ask him my birth control options, and I finally settled on a diaphram (which i hate.) I think I would rather stick to condoms.

If you have had a case of clots before from birth control, I would not go back on it if I were you. That is way too risky. Try the diaphram or stick to condoms. It sucks, but it is better than no lovin' or getting an unexpected pregnancy!!!