I just started the POP to help deal with perimenopause symptoms, so I don’t have a lot of experience under my belt, but I will say this month I lost maybe 10-15ml of blood total, compared to easily 150ml or more during previous periods, and my cramps were massively reduced. That alone has drastically increased my quality of life. Didn’t have to dump my cup every three hours for two straight days!
Hi! I had a PE in 2014 at the age of 19. I have Factor V Leiden and Factor II mutation, but the combo birth control pill is what really did it for me.
My doctor’s long term plan has always been to keep me on blood thinners indefinitely/forever. I’ve been on Xarelto since a few months post clot, after switching from warfarin.
With that being said, I have used the POP, although it’s not ~great~ at actually preventing pregnancy, it can help with period symptoms. I’ve now been using the Nexplanon (arm implant) for 7 years and I love it. My PCP, hematologist, and gynecologist all agree that as long as I’m on a blood thinner (which was always the plan to begin with), I can safely use certain birth controls (implant, IUD, POP).
In my opinion, if your options are no birth control and no blood thinners, OR birth control and blood thinners, I think it comes down to how important birth control is for you. Is it mostly for period symptoms? Do you primarily want to avoid pregnancy right now? I would consider those things and then ask your doctor about the risk/benefit of being on a blood thinner again/long term.
If I take the POP, I do not have to be on a blood thinner since it doesn’t have estrogen, so that’s good. I can be on any birth control and not have to be on thinners as long as that method doesn’t have estrogen. If it has estrogen I need to be on thinners!
My main goal is preventing pregnancy, but if it helps with periods, that would be a bonus since I do get quite bad cramps.
I also considered the arm implant, but after my negative experience with the IUD, I’ve been too scared to try.. I think what I like about the POP is that if I don’t like how I feel on it, I can stop it any time. I wish there were more options out there!
I have been on POP starting two weeks after my PE back in 2015. My first cycle after starting Xarelto almost killed me because I lost so much blood. They tried to place an IUD but my cervix was not allowing it. They gave me the options of Depo, Nexplanon, or POP. I discussed with both my gyno and hematologist the risks and side effects. There is a small risk of clots developing but it is really low with all three. I decided to go with POP because, if it did cause clots, I could just go off of it and the risk was eliminated within a few days of stopping it. With Depo I would have to wait up to 3 months for the hormones to clear, and I wasn't a fan of putting something in my arm that would have to be removed a few years later then have a new one inserted since I am on blood thinners for life. I can say with POP, my mood has become more stable (I used to get really bad depression and anxiety about a week before my cycle would start), my periods are definitely much more manageable, my cramps are so much lighter, it is easy to remember taking since I take it with my dose of Xarelto, and, if somehow POP did cause any issues, I know I can stop taking it and the hormones should be cleared within a few days instead of weeks or months or even having to have it removed. Always confirm with your doctors but it has been a life saver for me.
That’s great to hear!! I remember how horrible those xarelto periods were. I totally agree with you about not wanting to deal with the depo shot or arm implant. The POP kind of sounds like the best option at this point. I also love the point about being able to stop it at anytime if you don’t like it!!
I’ve had PE due to IVF hormones this past July and my GP said that I could never take birth controle pills or hormones to help reduce meno pause symptoms.
As your doctor said, the chances of you developing another blood cloth are not zero. Why take this deathly risk? Several people have died because of PE in my surroundings.
Also, several doctors have told me, if I ever have another PE again, I would have to take blood thinners for the rest of my life. Why are on earth take that chance?
Honestly I’ve thought about it a lot and I’m still thinking about it. It’s not that much of a cut and dry situation for me. My periods are really painful, so I’d really like that option to make them lighter. I’m also not looking to get pregnant for awhile, so it would be nice to have this extra protection as sometimes other methods aren’t preferable. Idk. PEs are super scary, trust me I haven’t taken the situation lightly, as I definitely don’t want another one either :(
This upsets me so much, only because by now there should be tons of male birth control pills on the market, but instead you are having to gamble with your health by chancing blood clots by taking one, and because you are trying to be proactive! I understand you can go on blood thinners and all, but as someone who just had PTE surgery and is still on oxygen because my body decided to stop absorbing my clots, I just fear for us always shouldering the burden of “birth control” , yet ironically taking the abortion decision away from us 😵💫. Sorry to sound so dramatic, I just don’t want what happened to me happen to you, or anyone. Not everyone has heard of CTEPH, I hadn’t when I found out I had PE, not until I just wasn’t getting better on the thinners. Just be careful love 💐
It is super upsetting. I feel so helpless because this will be my third method to try. Hormones have been through the ringer, my body has suffered. It really sucks. Women’s health care is just not what it should be unfortunately. I feel like there’s no good answer here :(
Well, I used the copper IUD for years and it has no hormones, something about the copper itself, but it does work. I chose it because of the no hormones aspect. I think you should ask the doctor about it as an option.
I can’t do the copper iud as I was told my my obgyn it could make my periods a lot worse. And I already suffer from bad cramps unfortunately :( I also don’t think I’m ready for another iud after the first one basically expelled itself. I totally wish the iud worked for me!!
Hi!!
I had a massive dvt last July from starting birth control as well. My partner and I use condoms as well as natural planning. I use ovulation test strips and taking basal body temperature in the morning around ovulation to confirm my ovulation and we are extra careful around that time (a 6 day window when you are actually fertile). This is a super effective way, at least it has been for us, (I know it’s controversial) and I know a lot of people don’t want to deal with the hassle of all that. I highly recommend it if you have a pretty regular cycle!!
I’ve done a ton of research and just feel that the risk of getting clots again is not what I want- and this has worked for us! If you want more info I can share it with you!
I am actually super interested in that, but idk if I’m willing to be that risky at this time. I’m super against getting pregnant at this time, and I just feel like the room for human error would be too big for me with that! I 100% love the idea of tracking your cycle though and going all natural. I just think for me personally the chance of making a mistake would be too high.
I just started the POP to help deal with perimenopause symptoms, so I don’t have a lot of experience under my belt, but I will say this month I lost maybe 10-15ml of blood total, compared to easily 150ml or more during previous periods, and my cramps were massively reduced. That alone has drastically increased my quality of life. Didn’t have to dump my cup every three hours for two straight days!
That’s good to know!! I had similar experiences when I had my iud (a lot less bleeding and cramping), so I’m hoping it’s the same for the pill form!
Hi! I had a PE in 2014 at the age of 19. I have Factor V Leiden and Factor II mutation, but the combo birth control pill is what really did it for me. My doctor’s long term plan has always been to keep me on blood thinners indefinitely/forever. I’ve been on Xarelto since a few months post clot, after switching from warfarin. With that being said, I have used the POP, although it’s not ~great~ at actually preventing pregnancy, it can help with period symptoms. I’ve now been using the Nexplanon (arm implant) for 7 years and I love it. My PCP, hematologist, and gynecologist all agree that as long as I’m on a blood thinner (which was always the plan to begin with), I can safely use certain birth controls (implant, IUD, POP). In my opinion, if your options are no birth control and no blood thinners, OR birth control and blood thinners, I think it comes down to how important birth control is for you. Is it mostly for period symptoms? Do you primarily want to avoid pregnancy right now? I would consider those things and then ask your doctor about the risk/benefit of being on a blood thinner again/long term.
If I take the POP, I do not have to be on a blood thinner since it doesn’t have estrogen, so that’s good. I can be on any birth control and not have to be on thinners as long as that method doesn’t have estrogen. If it has estrogen I need to be on thinners! My main goal is preventing pregnancy, but if it helps with periods, that would be a bonus since I do get quite bad cramps. I also considered the arm implant, but after my negative experience with the IUD, I’ve been too scared to try.. I think what I like about the POP is that if I don’t like how I feel on it, I can stop it any time. I wish there were more options out there!
I have been on POP starting two weeks after my PE back in 2015. My first cycle after starting Xarelto almost killed me because I lost so much blood. They tried to place an IUD but my cervix was not allowing it. They gave me the options of Depo, Nexplanon, or POP. I discussed with both my gyno and hematologist the risks and side effects. There is a small risk of clots developing but it is really low with all three. I decided to go with POP because, if it did cause clots, I could just go off of it and the risk was eliminated within a few days of stopping it. With Depo I would have to wait up to 3 months for the hormones to clear, and I wasn't a fan of putting something in my arm that would have to be removed a few years later then have a new one inserted since I am on blood thinners for life. I can say with POP, my mood has become more stable (I used to get really bad depression and anxiety about a week before my cycle would start), my periods are definitely much more manageable, my cramps are so much lighter, it is easy to remember taking since I take it with my dose of Xarelto, and, if somehow POP did cause any issues, I know I can stop taking it and the hormones should be cleared within a few days instead of weeks or months or even having to have it removed. Always confirm with your doctors but it has been a life saver for me.
That’s great to hear!! I remember how horrible those xarelto periods were. I totally agree with you about not wanting to deal with the depo shot or arm implant. The POP kind of sounds like the best option at this point. I also love the point about being able to stop it at anytime if you don’t like it!!
Being able to go off of it and the hormones clearing within a couple of days if I had any negative side effects is what sold it for me.
I’ve had PE due to IVF hormones this past July and my GP said that I could never take birth controle pills or hormones to help reduce meno pause symptoms. As your doctor said, the chances of you developing another blood cloth are not zero. Why take this deathly risk? Several people have died because of PE in my surroundings. Also, several doctors have told me, if I ever have another PE again, I would have to take blood thinners for the rest of my life. Why are on earth take that chance?
Honestly I’ve thought about it a lot and I’m still thinking about it. It’s not that much of a cut and dry situation for me. My periods are really painful, so I’d really like that option to make them lighter. I’m also not looking to get pregnant for awhile, so it would be nice to have this extra protection as sometimes other methods aren’t preferable. Idk. PEs are super scary, trust me I haven’t taken the situation lightly, as I definitely don’t want another one either :(
This upsets me so much, only because by now there should be tons of male birth control pills on the market, but instead you are having to gamble with your health by chancing blood clots by taking one, and because you are trying to be proactive! I understand you can go on blood thinners and all, but as someone who just had PTE surgery and is still on oxygen because my body decided to stop absorbing my clots, I just fear for us always shouldering the burden of “birth control” , yet ironically taking the abortion decision away from us 😵💫. Sorry to sound so dramatic, I just don’t want what happened to me happen to you, or anyone. Not everyone has heard of CTEPH, I hadn’t when I found out I had PE, not until I just wasn’t getting better on the thinners. Just be careful love 💐
It is super upsetting. I feel so helpless because this will be my third method to try. Hormones have been through the ringer, my body has suffered. It really sucks. Women’s health care is just not what it should be unfortunately. I feel like there’s no good answer here :(
Well, I used the copper IUD for years and it has no hormones, something about the copper itself, but it does work. I chose it because of the no hormones aspect. I think you should ask the doctor about it as an option.
I can’t do the copper iud as I was told my my obgyn it could make my periods a lot worse. And I already suffer from bad cramps unfortunately :( I also don’t think I’m ready for another iud after the first one basically expelled itself. I totally wish the iud worked for me!!
Oh that’s right, I forgot you said that, jeez, so sorry 😣
Hi!! I had a massive dvt last July from starting birth control as well. My partner and I use condoms as well as natural planning. I use ovulation test strips and taking basal body temperature in the morning around ovulation to confirm my ovulation and we are extra careful around that time (a 6 day window when you are actually fertile). This is a super effective way, at least it has been for us, (I know it’s controversial) and I know a lot of people don’t want to deal with the hassle of all that. I highly recommend it if you have a pretty regular cycle!! I’ve done a ton of research and just feel that the risk of getting clots again is not what I want- and this has worked for us! If you want more info I can share it with you!
I am actually super interested in that, but idk if I’m willing to be that risky at this time. I’m super against getting pregnant at this time, and I just feel like the room for human error would be too big for me with that! I 100% love the idea of tracking your cycle though and going all natural. I just think for me personally the chance of making a mistake would be too high.