Birth control pills?

Question

I was recently diagnosed with Dysfunctional Vaginal Bleeding due to a suspected hormone imbalance. I was perscribed Ortho Tricyclen Lo to treat this disorder. Should I feel guilty for taking this medication? Is the pill anything close to having an abortion? I have never taken birth control pills before because of the fear that it was similiar to abortion since I think the egg is actually able to be fertilized. Anyone have and opinion about this? Also, I would like to start trying to have another child sometime next year, will this condition or treatment effect my odds?

Answer 1

I don't know anything about your condition, but I would advise you to read up on all that you can (internet, library, etc...) to be informed.

As far as birth control pills, they work by not allowing an egg, whether fertilized or not, to attach to the uterine wall. So if it was fertilized and attaches that's the start of a baby. It is like abortion in that you "abort" the egg, but you're just sloughing off cells like you do every period, not a 4-6 week developed fetus. It depends on when you think the start of life happens. Fertilized egg, multi-celled embroyo, or later. If I was you, I wouldn't feel guility, unless you have religious beliefs against taking birth control. You need the hormones for your condition, and that's the primary reason for taking them, not to prevent pregnancy. Usually, bc pills do not affect having another child, but don't know in this case because of your condition.

Answer 2

My understanding is that the egg is NOT able to be fertilized...in fact, I think that the egg is not even released....the body is "tricked" by the hormones into thinking that the levels of hormone in the body due to the pills, is similar to a person who is pregnant and therefore doesn't release another egg (just like when you are pregnant you don't get your period). When you go on the one week off the pills (or the week with the low dose, or placebo pills) the hormone levels shift, body realizes it isn't pregnant and then you do get your period, but what you are bleeding at that point is the uterine lining, absent the egg that wasn't released.

And frankly, I think you should do what you need to do to make yourself healthy one way or another. Maybe straightening this out now will allow you to have a healthier and more prepared for pregnancy later next year. You are doing what is right for you and what is right for a future baby you are planning for. Good for you! I hope all works out well for you.

Answer 3

You are not taking this for birth control. You are taking this pill for a medical condition, the side effect is that you cannot conceive. Next year you can stop taking this medication, see if your period has corrected itself and then have your next child.

Answer 4

BCP can be helpful if you find the right one that works with you. The BCP keep the egg from being released, and if you ovulate that it keep the egg from being penatrated. So its not like abortion, it just denies the sperm to be penatrated due to not ovulating or having a thick mucus around the egg incase it is ovulated

Answer 5

The pill is to protect agianst pregnancy. If taken correctly there is less than a 1% chance of this happening. It is NOT an abortion.

Answer 6

Oral contraceptives are nothing akin to abortion. They work by tricking your body into thinking it's pregnant already so that you do not ripen or release an egg. No egg means no fertilization is possible.

Answer 7

You should have talked to your doctor about this...that is what the doctor is for to answer all your questions about stuff like this. Doctors are more educated than people online.

First of all birth control pills do not cause abortions...the name says it all, birth control.

What you need to do contact the doctor who prescribed these pills and discuss it with him or her.