Birth Control Pills and Prolapse

Body: 

Does anyone know if taking birth conrol pills would be helpful in managing prolapse. I ask because I have read that hormone replacement therapy can help women with prolapse after menopause. I am 40 and have not entered menopause but was wondering if bith control pills could help strengthen what is weak due to the additional estrogen? (If I am on to something, what pills are recommended)?

It was also suggested to me by a friend of mine who is a nurse that it might be better for me to be on birth control pills just to keep my cycle regulated. She thought it would be less hormonal pressure? Not exactly sure what she meant but in any event wondered what you all thought.

I look forward to your responses!

-Lilly Anne

Hi Lilly Anne,

I'm glad you asked this question because I'm really interested to see what others have to say about this, as well.

I'm no expert at all, but I will share my experience with you. When I went back on birth control 10 months into my prolapse (6 months ago) I began to feel better prolapse-wise, but I honestly don't know if it was because my gyno told me it would help, therefore I automatically felt like it helped. But there was a difference, if slight. I take Ortho tri-cyclen. When I get to the fourth week of the pill (which is a placebo) some months (not all) I start to feel more symptomatic as my period nears. Most women on this site report that they feel more symptomatic at this time regardless of taking the pill. When my period is over and I'm back on the pill, my symptoms tend to decrease, but again, this could just be where I am in my cycle.

So, my experience is that birth control *might* be helping me. However, I am currently working with a nutritionist to try to boost my natural levels of estrogen because (I have been told) taking it exogenously (in the form of a pill) can actually hinder your body's natural ability to produce the estrogen you need. So, my goal is to be off birth control pills and using nutrition, etc to boost my body's natural ability to balance my hormones. We'll see how that goes...I'm taking it slowly.

Again, I'm not making any suggestions here, just reporting my experience and my limited knowledge of hormones, etc. Others might have more info...

Ann

I had heard a story where constant use of birth control pills actually gave someone a prolapse, which I've posted before, but on the other hand my gynae doctor mentioned that taking a pill containing estrogen should help with symptoms, I'm probably going to try one soon for a season as I'm a bit paronoid about getting pregnant. Will keep you posted (when I get round to it!)

Esther

What kind of things have they suggested you incorporate into your diet if you don't mind me asking?

Esther

I would not think they would change a thing - As HRT is menna normalise all things - But My mother has been on HRT for yearssssssss and het prolapse got worse over time

Sue

hi

there's a thread on this including my experiences a few post's back in this section re yeast infection's.

I'm the one who's prolapse was associated with the pill via repeat vaginal infection's

x

Anne-helen

My gyno just put me on birth control to relieve pelvic pressure and it hasn't helped, but I have only been on it for 10 days. She actually would like to give me a shot of Lepron? It's a monthly shot that is giving to women during menopause (she said this will definitely reduce the pressure from rectocele).

A