what about the birth control pill?

I was on the pill for 10 years (on and off). As soon as I got diagnosed with IDC, ALL of my drs told me to get off of pill and never take it again. I asked if thats what caused my cancer. They said there is no evidence that the pill causes breast cancer, but it was an ingredient that helped my tumor grow. Scared the crap out of me and I will never go on the pill again. My periods are now back to their old ways...crampy & heavy. BUT I am on Tamox, so they probably will stop all together. There are ways to balance your hormones naturally though so you have better periods. Good luck with your decision!

BUT I am on Tamox, so they probably will stop all together.

Not sure where that comes from? If anything my periods have gotten heavier (and less predictable) on Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen doesn't inhibit estrogen, so you can still get periods, and as it mimics estrogen it can actually increase your lining quite a bit.

As for the pill, you might consider an IUD, which is still a risk but more local. Or some sort of testosterone-based treatment, which can reduce the severity of your period. As for the migranes, there are treatments other than hormones that can help (my wife uses a beta blocker for this purpose). Definitely find a good OB to discuss all the options.

Xtine..I am getting a little off the subject of the pill..but period cessation can happen on tamoxifen. Mine are becoming few and far between and my drs tell me not to be surprised if they stop all together. Everyone responds differently to tamox. I would trade getting my period back and stopping the hairloss. Yep..surprised I still have hair.

I had this same problem!! I was told that if I was hormone positive, I could no longer take the bcp. So they recommended removing my ovaries. Was supposed to have it last spring but had to cancel the day before because they didn't have me sign paperwork 31 days in advance for surgery. I was sooo mad. Saw surgeon this summer and she said maybe have a hysterectomy and take out uterus too. She said it will shrivel up eventually and since its for making babies, I deemed it an unnecessary organ lol. I saw an ob-gyn for a consult and decided to have the tubes, ovaries, and uterus out. The pill would be much easier, but I don't want to risk feeding any cancer cells that may be floating around or ready to go.

I had been on the pill for almost 30 years. As soon as I was dx'd, my gyne called me at home when he got the report and told me to stop them NOW. My MO and surgeon told me the same. I was  ER+/PR+ as well. I'm not sure, but I would think if you are PR+, a progesterone only pill would not be a good idea. If you have an ER+/PR+ tumor, it's like adding fuel to the fire by taking BCP's that contain esgtrogen and progesterone. That's what I was told anyway. My sister had the same dilemma and was limited to condoms (and she had a BMX). I'm done with having kids so I plan on having the Essure done soon. I'm interested in what your doc tells you.

The medical community is not really very clear on what PR + means.. they know that the tumor "reacts" to progesterone but they don't know if it reacts in a good way or a bad way.  In fact there are many practioners who still prescribe progresterone (as they did years ago) for a pr+ individual.  And there is discussion within the pathology groups whether they should even be testing for progesteron +.  So it's just not clear if progresterone is a good thing (yes there are many arguments for this) or a bad thing...

Oh, and I'm PR- so maybe that's why.  But I was also told that the IUD is designed to have very little hormone in it and it's supposed to not circulate through the body--just stay in the uterus.  But def ask your onc and your gyno!