Nicotine and Birth Control

[Menolly]

Most birth control product inserts I've read say that smoking while using the product will increase the risk of blood clots and stroke. I know that nicotine constricts vessels and increases blood pressure, but I haven't been able to find any studies (yet) on the effects of nicotine (minus the smoke) combined with hormonal birth control.

I'd imagine that the increased risk is still present as long as you're still using nicotine, but does anybody know any specifics regarding this?

[Mary Kay]

Geez Louise, I hadn't thought of this. I wonder if it affects hormone replacement? I don't need hot flashes and chin hair!
Mary

[ShimmyPrincess]

Being that I'm 38 and was a smoker, my doctor said she would not want to prescribed birth control unless I went on the patch or gum (or Chantix *shivers*) I can only guess it's safer to consume just nic than the whole shabang with analogs? I'll have to ask her at my next check-up...great question!

[Menolly]

Being that I'm 38 and was a smoker, my doctor said she would not want to prescribed birth control unless I went on the patch or gum (or Chantix *shivers*) I can only guess it's safer to consume just nic than the whole shabang with analogs? I'll have to ask her at my next check-up...great question!

The drug information I've seen regarding the patch, gum, and lozenges recommends using a form of birth control during use to prevent pregnancy which could result in fetal illness. However, I'm afraid that most doctors/inserts/etc regarding NRT are looking at it as being temporary- just to quit smoking. I believe the mindset on this is that if there are risks from NRT+birth control, that the NRT isn't to be used long enough to statistically be more threatening. This doesn't account for prolonged use of nicotine products.

I'd hope that vaping is still better than smoking in regards to drug interactions, but again- I couldn't find any statments that separated "Tobacco and birth control" and "nicotine and birth control". If it is the nicotine that causes the interactions, we may not be out of the clear.

Actually, I just looked over the entire physician's and patient's inserts for my Mirena IUD and they don't mention a THING about smoking or tobacco. Just to watch out for high blood pressure.

[MrsJaaxx]

That is a very good question. I outright lied at the doc's office when asked if I smoked (analogs) because I didn't want them to not let me be on the pill.. It works well for me and I have all the children that I need already. But they do a blood test, and my hemoglobin (sp?) was high. They thought this was unusual in a non-smoker. I was smoking analogs at the time. They did say that it could also be caused by eating a lot of green veggies, and I do eat a giant bowl of veggies almost every day in addition to 3/4 of my dinner plate being veggies.. so it's hard to say. Would be very interesting to see if my test results are different now that my nicotine comes mostly from vaping.

[Menolly]

But they do a blood test, and my hemoglobin (sp?) was high. They thought this was unusual in a non-smoker. I was smoking analogs at the time. They did say that it could also be caused by eating a lot of green veggies

Sorry if it's off topic, but I find it kind of funny that cigarettes ("bad") and veggies ("good") can affect parts of the body in the same way.

[MrsJaaxx]

I thought so too. They didn't seem to think the high hemaglobins (and I know I am not spelling that right) was a big deal as long as nothing else was going on.

[AlmondEyes]

Can't answer your question, but I suggest you look into an IUD. There are two kinds... one that releases hormones and lasts 8 years (I think) and one made with copper (which makes an unfriendly environment for eggs to land) that lasts 10 or 12 years. I got mine years ago when I had insurance and LOVE it. Periods are more painful and just getting it inserted killed me because I've never had a kid, so my cervix is tiny. But no pills to remember to take, I'll be in my 40s before I have to think about birth control again, they're more reliable than the pill, insurance paid for it all (even office visit), I'm confident in my IUD more than I was with the pill or the Depoprovera shot (is that even still around?).

[Menolly]

Can't answer your question, but I suggest you look into an IUD. There are two kinds... one that releases hormones and lasts 8 years (I think) and one made with copper (which makes an unfriendly environment for eggs to land) that lasts 10 or 12 years. I got mine years ago when I had insurance and LOVE it. Periods are more painful and just getting it inserted killed me because I've never had a kid, so my cervix is tiny. But no pills to remember to take, I'll be in my 40s before I have to think about birth control again, they're more reliable than the pill, insurance paid for it all (even office visit), I'm confident in my IUD more than I was with the pill or the Depoprovera shot (is that even still around?).

Yeah, I've got the hormonal IUD (Mirena)- it's labeled for 5 years. Had it inserted when I was 21 (no kids), and it was...not a fun few minutes. It's totally worth it, though. Since the first 6 months, I haven't really had periods at all. Every so often I'll have a few days of spotting, but that's supposed to be normal.

I know that it's not 100% guaranteed to prevent pregnancy (it is at the top end of effective birth control, though), but I can't trust myself to take a pill at the same time every day. Condoms are no fun, and the shots/ring/etc were getting way too expensive. A $30 co-pay at my doctor's office 2 years ago and I don't have to worry for another three! It's one of the best medical decisions that I've ever made for myself. I'll only be 26 when I need it removed- so I'll definately be signing up for the 5 year plan again-- I'm not anywhere near ready to be a mom. (I'm the same age as my mom was when she conceived me...and I was planned. It's a really weird thought.)

[TheWrathOfSanity]

Digging up an old post.
I'm so glad I searched the forums before asking the BC+VP question over in Health.

This is a concern of mine and I spent the past few hours trying to dig up conclusive evidence on what chemicals of analogs will produce the heart problems and blood clots.
And found nothing.
It's all the same "you shouldn't smoke and take the pill" and so on.
But nothing scientific.
And I'm frustrated.
I'm going to ask my doctor next time I see her.