Trying to pick Birth Control

Options
jbr3
jbr3 Member Posts: 38
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I had Er/Pr positive BC treated by mastectomy and now tamoxifen.  I am 50 but showing no signs of menopause.  My Mirena IUD was recently removed because 5 yrs was up and now the Ob-Gyn is saying condoms are probably the only choice (or just risking it since I'm so old--HA!  Not willing to face that moral dilema!)  I'm not crazy about this Ob-Gyn as I think he just wants to cover himself from any legal issues.  I know there are other options!  Copper IUD?  Others?  Please let me know what you are doing for birth control, what you like, don't like, etc.  Thanks for the help!

Joan

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited February 2009

    Can you get another Mirena IUD?

    They're supposed to be good for women taking tamoxifen. I guess the low-dose of whatever that they put out reduces uterine thickening.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LorenaB
    LorenaB Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2009

    Interesting that you posted this today... I'm going to my gyn to get whatever test needs to happen before getting a traditional, non-hormonal IUD. I was told that anything with hormones (including the Mirena) is not a good idea.  If anyone has experience with this I'd like to hear about it -- it's not the most popular form of birth control these days.

    I'm 42 and officially pre-menopausal but I'm not sure where I am at the moment. I always had a very irregular cycle when I wasn't on birth control pills. Oddly, I became very regular after "chemopause" ended.  Now I'm taking tamoxifen and AF is late -- and I have no idea if it's the start of menopause or just my regular, irregular body again.

    Anyway, thanks for starting this topic, I'm hoping it gets some responses. Condoms are icky....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dreamwriter
    dreamwriter Member Posts: 3,255
    edited February 2009

    JBR

    There are so many of us that do not have your problem.  Chemo and Tamoxifen have put us into Chemopause.  And with the hormone being so importand in some types of Breast cancer, we voluntarily  (?) give up our ovaries with hopes of extending our lives.

    It is wonderful that you are in the unique position of wanting birth control.  But because estrogen and progesterone is so important... you need to question your ob-gyn and be satisfied with the answer.  It may mean that the condom is the only way to go.  Can you accept that?  Anything with hormones may have to be avoided.  And what if you get a miracle baby?  Cause no birth control is 100%.  Oh I wish I was in your shoes....

    Please make sure you get ALL your questions answered and then make your decision.  And once you have your answers you can always come back here and ask for some friendly advice.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LorenaB
    LorenaB Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2009

    I went in to see a gyn (not my regular dr - I got the soonest appt and saw someone new) to get the pre-IUD culture.  The doctor strongly recommended that I get a uterine biopsy since I am on tamoxifen and still get periods -- and suggested that I get it before getting the IUD inserted since it could get in the way.  I have a call in to my onco to ask her about this -- but I was just wondering, has anyone heard that "anytime you have periods while taking tamox is a cause for concern?"  I was really surprised that he said this....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jbr3
    jbr3 Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2009

    Lorena, my ObGyn did do a biopsy when he took out the Mirena.  I was having light spotting for about 2 weeks so they needed to check it out.  He also said that it would be hard to do with the IUD in place (its time was up also--5 years is supposed to be the max).  I called him back and he said he would put in a Paragaurd which is a copper IUD but we are leaning toward a vasectomy at this time.  I have not heard the concern about tamox other than the increased risk of uterine cancer (hence the biopsy).  Still researching!

    Dreamwriter, thank you for your comments.  I do realize birth control worries seem silly in light of all the rest.  After my daughter was born, I developed lupus which posed serious health problems for other pregnancies so I have always been very careful in this area.  Cancer makes that issue even more so.  If condoms are the best choice, that is what we will use but I think there are other choices that are worth exploring for those who still need to look at that.  Amazing how many questions just keep coming in this process.  Thank you all for your comments!  Believe me, I would normally be thrilled at a little "surprise" but not at my age and with my health issues!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories