Saturday, March 23, 2024

Does Birth Control Cause Diarrhea

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Who Cannot Take This Pill

The morning after pill should not be taken by men, women who are breastfeeding or pregnant, or if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. 

An appointment with the gynecologist is advisable before using this pill in cases of high blood pressure, cardiovascular conditions, morbid obesity or in situations of abnormal vaginal bleeding or bleeding of unknown origin.

Hot Flashes And Night Sweats

One of the most common symptoms of perimenopause is hot flashes, which often coexists with night sweats. Almost 80 percent of people who are in perimenopause or transitioning into menopause have hot flashes. Also, most women who receive chemotherapy or undergo surgery to remove their ovaries will experience hot flashes.

Scientists know that hot flashes occur as a result of low estrogen levels. Each hot flash involves a sensation of heat that starts in the chest area and travels to the neck and the head. It can last for a few minutes and may cause sweating. Some women also develop a faster heart rate during hot flashes.

If a hot flash happens during sleep, they are called night sweats. Women who have night sweats often wake up in the morning feeling tired.

Some people experience redness along their neck and face during a hot flash. This is called a hot flush.

On average, each hot flash lasts for about three to four minutes. Hot flashes can occur for a few months to several years. In a few rare cases, some people had hot flashes for 10 years.

Other signs of hormonal imbalance include:

  • Constipation
  • Heavy or irregular periods, missed periods, frequent periods, or stopped periods
  • Vaginal dryness and itching
  • Decreased or increased heart rate
  • Weakened muscles
  • Pain in the muscles, tenderness, and stiffness
  • Pain and swelling in the joints
  • Depression

Can The Pill Cause Weight Gain

Ever had a PMS-fueled late night munchies session? Yeah, I know, who hasnt right? While studies show that hormonal birth control does not cause weight gain, Ive seen enough women in my practice who say otherwise! I dont think most women take the pill and suddenly put on 15lbs, but it definitely seems to have a more indirect effect on appetite and weight gain.

Women who use a combination of estrogen and progesterone show lower levels of ghrelin and higher levels of leptin than do women who use estrogen-only birth control. Which means that combination pills might mean less weight gain than estrogen-only pills or progestin-only birth control options. 

It appears the biggest offender of birth control-induced weight gain is the Depo-Provera shot with some women gaining 11 pounds and going up 2 dress sizes!

Birth Control Pills And Leaky Gut

I explained to Laura that hormonal birth control can cause intestinal hyperpermeability. So, yeah, birth control is bad for you gut. This is what is commonly referred to as leaky gut. And when your gut begins leaking, large undigested proteins can make their way through your intestinal lining. Your immune system pretty much hates this.

It sees these proteins as foreign invaders, which they basically are because proteins that size should never get through. This is why women taking the pill can find the list of foods that dont cause them issues dwindling. This is the basis for food sensitivities.

Leaky gut is also pretty much a basic requirement for the development of autoimmune disease per Dr. Alessio Fasanos work, which is why researchers hypothesize women are at higher risk of Crohns disease when taking the pill.

On top of food sensitivities, hormonal birth control causes an imbalance in your gut bugs, which leads to yeast overgrowth. Yeah, that yeast infection & pill connection is real.

How Does This Medication Work What Will It Do For Me

What To Do If You Have Diarrhea While Taking Birth Control ...

Norethindrone acetate – ethinyl estradiol belongs to the class of medications called oral contraceptives . It is an estrogen and progestin combination used to prevent pregnancy.

Norethindrone acetate – ethinyl estradiol works by preventing ovulation and by causing changes in the mucus of the cervix which make it difficult for sperm to penetrate the egg and for an egg to implant in the wall of the uterus.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How To Treat Nausea From Birth Control

Nausea from hormonal birth control is most common after initially starting the medication. Most of the time, any nausea you experience from the pill, patch, vaginal ring or other form of birth control will fade away gradually as your body gets used to the medication typically within a few months

If youve noticed yourself feeling nauseous after starting the birth control pill, patch, ring or any other form of hormonal contraception, there are several things that you can do that may reduce your symptoms:

  • Take your birth control pill with food. If you use the pill, try taking it with food instead of on an empty stomach. If you use it in the morning, do so after eating breakfast. If you use the pill at night, try taking it shortly after eating dinner or with a small snack.
  • Consider using an over-the-counter antacid. Antacids, which neutralize your stomach acid, can sometimes help to control nausea from the pill. If you feel nauseous after using the pill, try taking an over-the-counter antacid shortly before you take the pill.
  • Avoid oily, greasy or overly rich foods. Foods that are oily or very rich in flavor have a higher chance of leading to nausea than plain foods, meaning theyre best avoided if you often feel nauseous after taking the pill.
  • Consider taking the pill at night. Some women find that taking the pill at night makes nausea easier to deal with, as youre more likely to be asleep when nausea symptoms are at their worst.

Where To Get More Information

  • Your local doctor
  • Womens Welcome Centre Tel:  8345 3037 or 1800 442 007
  • Family Planning VictoriaTel: 9257 0116. If you are under 25, you can also call the Action Centre 9660 4700 or 1800 013 952

Information about the contraceptive pill, and other types of contraception, is also available in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi and Vietnamese  see section on this page.

Related information

Your Weight Will Probably Stay The Same

Don’t ditch birth control solely to drop a few pounds. Though many women believe they’ve gained weight on the pill, scientific research hasn’t actually found a link between oral contraceptive use and weight gain. In a 2014 review of 49 relevant trials, birth control did not appear to have a major impact on weight. “There has been no definitive evidence showing that startingor stoppingbirth control pills will affect your weight,” says Neha Bhardwaj, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

Healthy Woman: Bloat Got Your Goat

N E W   Y O R K — There’s nothing like bloating to make you feel sluggish and uncomfortable. Who feels like working or going out when you’re convinced you’re lugging around extra water or gas?

Although many women have had days where the skirt they wore yesterday can’t be zipped today, the precise cause of this feeling of fullness and tightness is sometimes unclear. That’s because both gynecological and gastrointestinal troubles can lead to bloating, and sometimes it’s due to a combination of these problems.

Hormonal Bloating

If bloating in a premenopausal woman follows a pattern, it’s likely to be related to the menstrual cycle. During the last two weeks of the menstrual cycle, known as the luteal phase, women can retain water, which causes swelling in not only the abdomen but sometimes in the hands, feet and breasts.

The rising levels of hormones also have a direct effect on the gastointenstinal tract. “This hormonal effect causes the GI tract not to empty as quickly and to produce gas,” explains Dr. Grace Janik, director of reproductive endocrinology at St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee.

Because stool and gas are moving more slowly through the intestines, women often have constipation and bloating in the two weeks before their periods. When women get their periods, their hormone levels drop and they sometimes get diarrhea.

Exercising, avoiding gas-producing foods and adding bulk fiber to the diet may also ease premenstrual bloating.

Gynecological Obstruction

How Estrogen From The Pill Causes Sibo

Heres why this is important and the How it relates to SIBO. Estrogen like the kind found in the pill does several very important things and if you have IBS/SIBO or some other kind of GI disorder, then you will want to follow along here.

Estrogen relaxes smooth muscle contraction and slows down gastric emptying and like I mentioned earlier this can create the perfect environment for the development of SIBO.

If food is sitting in the stomach and or sitting in the intestines for too long, this can make a nice environment for bacteria to set up shop. Think about a dam that gets backed up? If water cant circulate it stagnates

NowLet me explain a few more things.

If you look at this picture, you will see that muscle lines the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach.  This sphincter is called the LES or ,

The smooth muscles ALSO lines ANOTHER sphincter that separates the LARGE intestines and SMALL intestines-This sphincter is called the IC valve or the ileocecal valve. The IC valve Plays a huge role in IBS and SIBO

 

How Is A Hormonal Imbalance Diagnosed

First, make an appointment with a health care provider for a physical exam. The health care provider will ask about your symptoms. Then, depending on your symptoms, they will suggest which hormone imbalance tests to do. These could be evaluations like:

  • Blood test: Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroxine, TTH, insulin, and cortisol levels can be detected in the blood.
  • Pelvic exam: A health care provider will search for any lumps or cysts.
  • Ultrasound: Images of your uterus, ovaries, thyroid, and pituitary gland can be obtained.
  • Biopsy

When We Slow Down Or Relax The Muscles Of Gi Motility

Now, here is why this is important and why I show you this illustration. When we slow down or relax the muscles that affect the Motility of the intestines or the emptying of stomach contents, We can develop a bacterial or fungal overgrowth or excessive colonization in the stomach in the upper part of the small intestines or the lower part of the small intestines.

If you are woman who experiences acid reflux after taking the pill or worsening of your acid reflux after taking the pill- I would start thinking about the effects of The pill as it relates to relaxing the LES

NowJust a side note- if you are a woman who experienced acid reflux with any of your pregnancies, this is most likely the culprit. The estrogen from pregnancy was causing the relaxation of this sphincter.

One point to keep in mind and this is very important. SIBO is a secondary condition that develops in the setting of slowed intestinal motility or slowed stomach/gastric emptying- Both of which can be and are caused by The Pill this is the very definition of SIBO!

Does Taking Hormonal Birth Control Lead To Nutrient Deficiencies

Stenosis: Does Birth Control Cause Spotting And Cramping

What is not usually discussed is the fact that in order for the liver to metabolize birth control pills, it requires extra amounts of B-complex vitamins , vitamin C, magnesium and zinc. If youre taking birth control for years on end, as are most women, youre creating serious deficiencies of these crucial nutrients. Most women dont realize this until after they have come off they pill and theyre contending with bouts of cystic acne, mood disorders, weight gain, sporadic periods and infertility.

Your Boobs May Feel A Little Different

Many women report achy breasts before their period . Since birth control pills regulate your hormone levels, they may alleviate this symptom for some women. So going off the pill could mean that your breasts start to feel a little more sensitive post-ovulation, says Dr. Klein.

However, breast tenderness can also be a side effect of being on the pill, says Guirlaine Agnant, MD, chair in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital in Mount Vernon, NY. If your breasts felt super-sensitive at certain times of the month when you were taking birth control, it might actually go away once you stop taking it. For these women, “stopping the pill will bring back normal breast tissue, and no tenderness should be experienced.”

You might also notice slight changes in the appearance of your breasts: “Some women will see their breasts deflate a bit when they go off the pill,” says Dr. Dweck.

Sickness Or Diarrhoea For More Than 24 Hours

If you can, you should carry on taking your pills at the normal time, but you may need to use extra contraception, such as condoms.

If you continue to be sick, or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, count each day with sickness or diarrhoea as a day that you have missed your pill.

For advice on what to do if you have missed a pill, see:

You Could Get Pregnant Right Away

No, your body doesn’t need time to clear birth control from your system. For most women, normal ovulation resumes within a month or two, and one study found that 20% of women were able to get pregnant one cycle after stopping birth control.  If you’re not trying to get pregnant, make sure to use condoms or another type of contraception immediately after you stop taking your pills.

Can Birth Control Cause Digestive Problems

Short answer: yes. Your IBS and birth control might just be connected. Constipation, diarrhea and belly pain, to name a few.

Hormonal birth control can significantly increase your risk of Crohns disease . In addition, birth control can increase inflammation and increase intestinal permeability , two factors that are known to increase risk of IBS .

Types Of Birth Control

There are many different kinds of birth control, each with its own pros and cons to consider.

For this article, we are discussing the kinds of birth control that have hormones in them, such as the pill, hormonal IUD and the patch. These birth control options contain estrogen, progesterone, or both.

Non-hormonal birth control   such as condoms or a diaphragm, will not have connections to IBS and digestive health. They are not discussed here.

How Should I Use This Medication

Take 1 blue tablet daily for 24 days, then 1 white tablet daily for 2 days then 1 lilac-coloured tablet daily for 2 days. The blue tablets contain both norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, the white tablets contains ethinyl estradiol only and the lilac tablet contains no active medication.

This medication can be taken with food or on an empty stomach. For it to be most effective, it needs to be taken at the same time every day. Talk with your doctor about the best time to start your pills. The first day of your menstrual period is known as “Day 1.” Your doctor may have you start your pills on the first Sunday after your period starts or on Day 1 of your period.

It is advisable to use a second method of birth control for the first 7 days of the first cycle of pill use, if you choose to start taking this medication on the first Sunday after your period starts.

Many women have spotting or light bleeding or may feel nauseous during the first 3 months of taking the pill. If you do feel sick, do not stop taking the pill. The problem will usually go away. If it does not go away, check with your doctor or clinic.

If you experience vomiting or diarrhea, or if you take certain medications , your pills may not work as well. Use a backup method, such as latex condoms and spermicidal foam or gel, until you can check with your doctor or clinic.

If you are not sure what to do after missing pills, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Appendicitis Symptoms You Should Know According To Doctors

Appendicitis occurs when your appendix, a worm-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine, becomes inflamed. It’s fairly common, with about nine percent of males and seven percent of females getting appendicitis at some point during their lives, according to Alexander Greenstein, MD, an associate professor of surgery at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

If the appendix becomes too inflamed, it can rupture, turning appendicitis into something that could be fatal. After the onset of symptoms it usually takes at least 24 hours for the appendix to rupture, Dr. Greenstein says. However, it can take the appendix three days to rupture in some individuals.

Luckily, doctors usually remove the inflamed appendix surgically before this happens. The removal of the appendix is the “most common surgical emergency,” explains Dr. Greenstein. In fact, the removal of the appendix, aka an appendectomy, is currently the only proven treatment available for appendicitis. The appendix is usually removed via a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure.

An actual diagnosis of appendicitis however can be tricky, says Michael Payne, MD, a gastroenterologist with Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard-affiliated public healthcare system, in Cambridge, MA. “It is a very common illness and many people don’t have classic symptoms,” he says. “We actually have to put our hands on a belly to see for sure.”

What Can I Do To Minimize Ibs Symptoms While On Birth Control

What Can I Take For Diarrhea While Pregnant : What Does It ...

Now that you know that your hormonal birth control medication and IBS symptoms may be linked, you may be wondering if you need to stop taking it.

Not necessarily.

Medications are one of many potential causes of IBS.

If youre struggling with IBS symptoms, a few strategies you can prioritize include:

  • Getting a good nights sleep, as often as possible
  • Having regular exercise that you enjoy
  • Reducing stress
  • Limiting caffeine and alcohol
  • Drinking plenty of water

But if those strategies are not enough to quell your IBS symptoms, it may be time to ask for some help .

IBS is a condition that will stick around unless youre able to identify, and treat, the root cause. Easier said than done, but weve had lots of practice!

Ssris: Another Option For Symptom Relief

A class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is another excellent option for treating PMS and PMDD. In fact, most doctors now consider them first-line therapy for these conditions. There are many SSRIs to choose from, and studies suggest that they are equally effective. There are two ways to take an SSRI for PMS/PMDD. The first is to simply take it every day throughout your cycle. Another way is to take it only after ovulation and to stop when menstruation starts. This is called luteal-phase-only treatment. The results of a recent study suggest that some women may benefit from taking an SSRI only when they are experiencing PMS/PMDD symptoms. Of course, any woman who continues to have symptoms during her period would benefit more from taking the SSRI throughout her period instead.

It may take several cycles before you see improvement. If the initial dose does not work, your doctor may increase it and give the new dose a few cycles to see if it helps. If you dont find relief from the first SSRI you try, ask your doctor about trying a different one. Some women who do not respond to one SSRI may do better with a different one. Side effects of SSRIs are common and may include nausea, jitteriness, and headache. These drugs can also decrease sexual interest and interfere with the ability to have an orgasm. Taking them only in the luteal phase may ease side effects.

My Birth Control Keeps Giving Me Diarrhea Is It Still Effective Ok So I Am On The Generic Of

Asked
31 Dec 2012 by AnonymousSally123
seasonale, abnormal uterine bleeding, diarrhea, birth control, contraception, generic, period

… seasonale. I am currently on my 4th month. My first month on it I brown spotted for 2 weeks. 2nd month I spotted a couple a days. My 3rd month I BLED, like a period, for 2 weeks and heavy brown spotted the other two weeks. I had horrible achy cramps mynwhole 3rd month. During this time I also would get bad cramps and bloating. I take the pill every night at 9:30 and when I wake up every morning I have severe diarrhea cramps and I have to run to the bathroom and I have a bout of diarrhea. This has been going on since month 2. It wasn’t the diarrhea where you are living in the bathroom, I would only get it about 2 times a day. During my placebos last week I finally stopped bleeding about 3 days in and finally had 4 days to not have bleeding after bleeding for over 4 weeks straight! I stopped getting the diarrhea and the horrible cramps associated with it. I actually got constipated instead. Just LAST night I started my 2nd pack and this morning I started up my bout of diarrhea! I have just about had it with this pill! I don’t know what to do

Added 31 Dec 2012:

What Form Does This Medication Come In

Each blue, round tablet contains 1 mg of norethindrone acetate and 10 µg of ethinyl estradiol and is imprinted with “WC” on one side and “421” on the other. Each white, hexagonal tablet contains 10 µg of ethinyl estradiol and is imprinted with “WC” on one side and “422” on the other side. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose monohydrate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, and vitamin E. The blue tablets also contain FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake.

Other Effects Of Birth Control

Birth control has a wide range of side-effects, which most go away after the body adjusts to the hormone levels. Side-effects usually calm down within the first three months of birth control use. Some side-effects like diarrhea may continue over time, and may be bothersome. If you are asking, can birth control cause diarrhea? This is one of some of the side-effects you may experience. Others include:

1.    Nausea

One of the most common side-effects of birth control is nausea. This occurs very early in treatment, but subsides as the body adjusts. This is due to increased hormone levels. In a small number of women, nausea may continue the entire time birth control is used.

2.    Vomiting

The hormones in birth control mimic the hormones of pregnancy to prevent ovulation. With this comes possible vomiting quite similar to morning sickness. This is another side-effect that may go away after your body gets used to it.

3.    Breakthrough Bleeding

During the early months, you may experience breakthrough bleeding on birth control pills. Until the levels become steady, they may go up and down each month. Some people experience two actual periods a month or intermittent spotting all month long. Remember until levels are steady there is a chance of ovulation. It is always recommended to use another method of birth control if you experience breakthrough bleeding and spotting.

4.    Increased Cramping with Periods

5.    Mood Swings

6.    Breast Tenderness

7.    Headaches

8.    Weight Gain/Bloating

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