For the big girls: what do you use for birth control. My obgyn does not want to perscribe "the pill" due to

Question

family history of heart disease (mine is good) and my weight. Anyone else in the same boat? What did you do? What do you use?

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

She told me wrap it up...and I'm aware of the non-hormonal options (thank you though for taking the time to answer the question), I'm just curious if anyone else with this history has taken the pill.

Answer 1

Any hormone-based birth control would probably not be good for you if you have a risk of heart disease because they tend to thicken the blood (make you at risk for clots, etc). This is also why they tell you not to smoke when on the pill.

Non-hormonal birth control would probably be best. You could get an IUD- and Intrauterine device that is placed in the uterus and remains there until you want to have children. It changes the uterus somehow so that you do not get pregnant (some of these do include hormones, others do not). Other than that are conventional methods such as diaphragms, spermacide, condoms, cervical caps, etc.

There are lots of women who can't use hormonal based birth control- your doctor can probably tell you what is best for you. I find it strange that they didn't tell you your options when they turned you down for the pill!

Answer 2

Ask your ob gyn about the low estrogen pill. I have high bp and a "big" girl that is what my doctor put me on after I had my son.

You could also try the rhythm method, ya know track your cycles and avoid sex when you are at your pick of getting pregnant. Condoms are also good and if used in conjunction with the rhythm method would be a pretty good option. A diaphragm using spermicide works ok. If you are in a long term relationship, an iud is an option as well, but they have some side effects.

Answer 3

According to the FDA, weight is not a factor with the intrauterine device or barrier methods such as the diaphragm, or with the vaginal ring. You may want to explore these alternatives.

If you don't my asking, how much do you weigh? I weight about 180-190 and I have taken the pill (Levlen and Lo-Ovral) for about 5 years now. I didn't have any problems and have never had a prenancy scare.

Answer 4

I would ask the dr for more specifics about non-hormonal treatment, also get your primary care physician's input on the situation as well to see what they think.