Birth Control Pills and IC

[Shana1234]

My dr. thinks I might have IC, but I didn't have any ulcers when I went in for my cysto. I don't have any real pain, it's mainly urgency and when I flare it's horrible urgency all day, like a UTI but I never have an infection when I get tested. I don't think my IC flares are food related and the only thing that has changed for me in the last year was getting on birth control pills.

I have had to self-cath and be on meds for the past 6 years for urinary retention with overactive bladder, but I NEVER had flares until this past year.

Has anyone else had problems with birth control pills (Yasmin)? I just can't believe I would develop IC out of nowhere in the past year and something has to be triggering my flare ups.

[jen74]

Hi Shana.
I am sorry you are dealing with this. I wish I had some answers for you. My doctor wants me to start BC pills and I am a little afraid to, I am worried it will make my IC worse.
Maybe someone else will chime in and be able to give you more info.
Jen

[ICNDonna]

Was your cysto done with anesthesia and hydrodistention?

There are some ICers who take birth control pills and are actually helped by them; others have reported some problems --- so it's difficult to know.

You might talk to your doctor about stopping them for a while to see.

Donna

[Shana1234]

Yasmin

OMG my fiancee just e-mailed this to me.

""Yasmin has a dose of 30ug, which is in the upper mid-range of low-dose COCs, and contains a new progestin that has diuretic properties."


http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/region1/...wlr-fall06.pdf

[Shana1234]

My details

Here is my history with IC

[Shana1234]

Diuretic!

More info my fiancee found on Yasmin. I can't believe my OBGYN didn't catch this. She knows my urinary history!

"In most pills, the progestin is based on testosterone. Yasmin is an exception. The progestin in Yasmin is similar to spironolactone, a drug that works on the kidneys. In addition to helping to prevent pregnancy, this progestin, called drospirenone (drsp) also seems to act as a diuretic. Diuretics increase urination and can help with water retention."


http://pregnancy.lovetoknow.com/wiki...d_of_Progestin

[jen74]

Hi Shana1234,
Does your doctor know why you are unable to urinate? Can you go at all on your own? Did they do any special tests to check for neurogenic bladder?
I am sorry you have to deal with all that, it sounds terrible. Sending Big hugs your way.
Jen

[Shana1234]

Neurogenic Bladder

I was born with neurogenic bladder and was never able to fully empty, but I didn't find that out until high school. I could always pee on my own, I just never emptied.

When I was 25 I went to my first uro and we decided I should self-cath. Well, I started doing it every time I had to pee, not just on a schedule and before I knew it, my brain "forgot" how to let me pee on my own!

I'm really interested in Interstim because even if I could retrain my bladder, I'd never be able to empty completely since I never could in the first place. I've read some real success stories of people with retention being able to be free from their catheters. Plus, I've had to be on Macrobid to prevent UTIs and long-term use can lead to lung problems...I've been on it so long I'd rather NOT be on it.

[theclownster]

Hi there! I'm sorry you are having some troubles. I've never taken Yasmin, but I've been on birth control for many years. I was originally on ortho-cyclen when I was diagnosed and noticed that I would flare before, during, and after my period. So that left only a few days where I was okay. I asked to be put on a 3 month straight birth control pill. Initially, my primary care just had me take the ortho-cyclen continuously for three months. It made a huge difference for me. I have very few flares now - it's great. I now take Seasonique which is a pill that's designed to take for 3 months at a time. It helps me a lot.

I would share with your doctor about the information you found on Yasmin being a diuretic as it could really be adding to your retention.

I hope you are feeling better soon!
Take care,
Jennifer

[Shana1234]

What birth control brand is everyone taking?

As I've said, I think Yasmin is giving me problems. What brand is everyone else taking that agrees with them?

Thanks!

[sami4]

Shana

Most ICers seem to do best on either a pill that allows periods only every 3-4 monts or a monthly pill with higher estrogen than progestin such as Ovcon 35 or something similar.
Progestins that come from the testosterone family seem to be better tolerated by most ICers than some of the yam family or newer types.
I used the Mirena medicated IUD for over a year. This IUD is a BC device, but stops periods after about 3-4 months use. It does not deliver a systemic progestin dose, only local to the uterus to prevent lining build up. When removed (it can last up to 5 years), your periods resume and your fertility is not effected.
Question for you: I dont think I ever heard or realized that you could have overactive bladder and urinary retention at the same time? Could you explain please?
Sammi

[Shana1234]

Overactive Bladder with Retention

For whatever reason (I have no physical disability) I have always had neurogenic bladder with urinary retention. Whenever I would pee I only emptied part of my bladder. But I was going all the time and never felt empty. I finally went to a uro when I was 25 and they did an ultrasound to find that out. Since then, I've been self-cathing. But, I still have overactive bladder. I guess my bladder spasms and gives me the urge to go even when I'm not full (since I can empty now with my catheter). So that's how you can have both. Overactive bladder is just the sensation of having to go all the time, even if your bladder isn't full.

[GriffsMommy]

I'm on Triphasil, it's not continous birth control but my gyn told me to skip the fake pills and keep on taking the active pills so I wouldn't get my period. I get the worst flares when I get my period. I asked about going on a birth control pill that was actually meant to be taken continously but she said you can do it with any of them and she didn't want to throw something else into the mix with all of my pelvic pain, bladder, endo, blah blah blah.