My girlfriend isn't on the bill due to family history ...?

Question

My girlfriend is not on the pill because of family history?
At the moment my girlfriend is not on the pill and we had a near hit and miss with a dodgy condom.

I questioned her about this as it efffects me too. She said she isn't on it because of family history medical issues. Not going into much detail with her and sensitive of the fact that she lost her mother to breast cancer not so long ago, is there any medical / family history issues why women shouldn't go on the pill ....
Obviously this causes hormones and stuff to go a bit wild, physcological problems, i have heard to be an issue...

Excuse my ignorance but i am a bloke and need to know these things...

Any good advise is welcome ....

Answer 1

There is some medical evidence that certain types of pill can make women more susceptible to breast cancer, also it is not recommended for anyone who has a family history of thrombosis (blood clots) or some immune system disorders. I know it's frustrating but I can understand why she is scared about taking it - especially if she has watched her mum die from breast cancer. You can always use spermicide cream as well as condoms, and she can also get fitted with a 'cap/diaphragm' AS WELL as using condoms - at least you can be doubly sure, that if one fails, the other method is in place.

Bless you for being sensitive by the way - a lot of men would have just insisted she went on the pill or dumped her!

It's worth checking on medical sites or with a doctor exactly which versions of the pill are not recommended for women with a family history of breast cancer, as I'm sure that some are OK, and do not pose a more significant or increased risk of developing breast cancer. I do not know enough to advise which brands would be suitable.

Answer 2

I don't know if a family history could cause a woman to not take the pill, but there are several factors that can make it less effective, none of them are genetic though. If she smokes, she's has an increased risk of blood clots, which could potentially kill her. Antibiotics (and certain other drugs) can make the pill less effective, potentially increasing her chances of getting pregnant, etc. There have been some risks associated with the pill. I believe studies have shown that women who are on the pill for long periods are at an increased risk of cervical cancer. Those are the pills with higher level of hormones, I believe.

If you're concerned, tell her to check with her doctor about an IUD. I have ParaGard (a non-hormonal one) and it works wonderfully! You can read more at www.paragard.com It works because it's made out of copper, so there are no crazy hormones wreaking havoc on my body. It prevents the sperm from meeting the egg, and is over 99% effective. Relative inexpensive (I think mine was about $300, but my insurance paid for it...I just had my $15 co-pay for the office visit. My OB waited until I was on my period (because my cervix was already open) and put it in in about 30 seconds. It also allows for sponteneity...no getting all hot and bothered and then, "Oops honey...let me go get a condom!" The only side effect I've had was, for the first two or three menstrual cycles after I had it put in, my periods were slightly heavier and I bled for an extra day or two, but that's back to normal now.

Don't believe the hype you hear about IUDs causing cancer, not working, etc. That did happen, but it was back in the 60s and 70s, before they were perfected. IUDs have been used in Europe for years, safely and effectively.

Answer 3

Just so you know there are medical conditions which make doctors prevent you from going on the pill, i have a blood clot gene in my family (factor V leidon deficiency) that cause blood clots in all the women in my family, i was tested and came up positive for the gene. I can't be on the pill, smoke or lay in bed for long periods of time (when sick), and when i broke my leg and when i had a Cesarean i had to be on medication to prevent blood clots, the medication is horrible and made me sick as a dog. I had to be on it for months. Please just take your girlfriends word for it and know that chances are shes telling the truth.

Answer 4

yes there are medical condition where Doc advice their patience to stay away from pills