[skbird]

Does anyone know if those stick on birth control patches are gluten free? I know we've discussed Band Aids, etc, but was just wondering if anyone knows about medical patches (I guess there would be a question about nicotine patches and pain relief patches, too).

Stephanie

[frenchiemama]

I'm not sure if they have gluten, but I warn you that I broke out horribly from it. The rash lasted for 3 weeks after I stopped using the patch.

[bluelotus]

I used those patches at one time too (before being dx'd). I didn't react to them, but they did slide around on my skin (didn't fall off though) and would leave a nasty little sticky smear that caught a bunch of lint off my clothes. So, although they may work, they aren't very attractive nor are they completely unoticeable.

[skbird]

Thanks for the info. I get rashes about half the time from regular band aids so I am not sure if this is a good idea for me. What I like in theory about the patch and the ring (Nuvaring) is that they are transdermal and don't require your liver to process them. But I didn't like the experience of the Nuvaring at all, and am wondering about the patch.

I guess birth control hormones might not be the answer for me. I am not sure what else to do though, because if I do have endometriosis, especially on my bowel, as my symptoms indicate, the only other option seems to be surgery. Blech!

Oh well...

Stephanie

[KaitiUSA]

The Ortho Evra patches are gluten free.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

Stephanie, you could still use barrier methods, right?

[tarnalberry]

skbird, on Oct 30 2005, 11:50 AM, said:

Thanks for the info. I get rashes about half the time from regular band aids so I am not sure if this is a good idea for me. What I like in theory about the patch and the ring (Nuvaring) is that they are transdermal and don't require your liver to process them. But I didn't like the experience of the Nuvaring at all, and am wondering about the patch.

I guess birth control hormones might not be the answer for me. I am not sure what else to do though, because if I do have endometriosis, especially on my bowel, as my symptoms indicate, the only other option seems to be surgery. Blech!

Oh well...

Stephanie
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If the hormones are for the endo, can you try using topical hormones? They may have to be compounded if you need progesterone as well, but estrogen already comes in an insertable cream that's often used by menopausal women.

If it's for birth control reasons, I've switched to a combination of FAM (fertility awareness method) and barrier methods (no spermicide though, my body can't handle that stuff) and we've been happy with it, though it takes dedication and strict adherence.

What trouble did you have with the Nuvaring? (I tried it without any problems with the method itself, but my body just doesn't do all that well with added hormones that I don't need, particularly the progesterones.)

[Noelle126]

The Ortho Evra Patches are gluten free...and I never had a problem with them...just wanted to add my two cents!

[jenvan]

yeah, if anyone else here has had experience with nuvaring i'd be curious to know. i was going to try to switch to it next month...

[frenchiemama]

jenvan, on Oct 31 2005, 05:15 AM, said:

yeah, if anyone else here has had experience with nuvaring i'd be curious to know.  i was going to try to switch to it next month...
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've used it, and I liked it. My doctor had me stop using it for a while because we suspected that the estrogen was making my DH flare up. Right now I'm trying the minipill to see if there are any changes.

[Jnkmnky]

Birth control pills to control the pain of endometriosis is more like a medication for a serious problem... Does anyone see a problem with using birth control pills to control pregnancy? I cringe when I hear women are using those pills/patches. Of course, you may cringe when people bring up the "don't use them" train of thought... I just don't see why women believe they're safe. There are alternatives to hormones. And isn't it a CRAZY idea when you separate it from what you're trying to control....? You're putting Hormones into your body and changing around your natural state of being to ensure you don't get pregnant. I feel like women have been duped into abusing their bodies with this junk. Sure, you don't get pregnant..but at what cost? If you clean out your body, you'll see your body has a natural cycle of fertility. When used correctly, NFP has as high a rate of effectiveness as birth control pills..without the side effects. No, I am not a religious right hyper conservative republican evangelical christian born again catholic right winger george bush loving pro life planned parenthood hating anti liberal anti roe vs wade stereotype. .... I just think a woman's body should be free and clear of as many synthesized drugs as possible. We're all trying hard to be healthy, avoid gluten and the other foods that cause discomfort and then there's a conversation about birth control options focusing mainly on hormones we can take to supress ovulation... why don't women just realize that ovulation is our friend...a natural cycle in our bodies and realize we can learn to recognize the signs of ovulation, allow our bodies to function NORMALLY, and avoid pregnancy by knowing our own body cycles? It's a really healthy thing to do for ourselves. Of course, exceptions made for the trauma of endometriosis. That's a medical condition that needs attention. Ovulation is NOT a medical condition that requires "fixing". I'm just trying to point out we can live with our female bodies without drugs. Not pushing *values* other than the value of the female experience.

[jenvan]

thnx carolyn... i don't always understand which hormones are in which at what strength etc. i have been on oral ortho tri-cycline for 10 years...and wanted to switch to nuvaring b/c it has about a 1/3 less hormones than my oral pill i believe. it would be great to not be on any...but i can't take a risk of another cyst or getting pregnant right now...

[elonwy]

I don't have endometriosis, but I do take the pill (Ortho Novum 7/7/7) because without it I can't live a normal life. I have crippling periods that last a minimum of 7 days and make me unable to work or ineract with society because of pain. I've been on the pill since I was 14 because I started passing out at school. Over the years I've tried other pills ( Ortho Tricyclin was one) and methods, and with them I felt the hormonal effects greatly, whereas with the one I take, it just makes me normal. Every few years I stop, and try to see if anything's changed and if I can live without it.
I wonder what the hormones are doing, I wish I didn't have to take it, and I don't take it for birth control reasons ( though its nice to have a backup) as we use barrier methods as well, but its definitly a personal thing.
I think the patch looks ugly, especially with all the low-cut jeans. Think very carefully about where you apply it, as its on for a week. Nothing more attractive that staring at your waitress's birth control patch, which was a recent experience I had with them.
I did the nicotine patch, back in the days of giving up smoking, and I'm not convinced the delivery method is down yet as far a dosage control. A weeks worth of hormones in one patch? Peoples skin absorbs at diff rates, depending on alot of factors. I'm wary of getting some crazy burst of hormones making me all insane. I don't like being pissed for reasons I can't control
And bandaids make me itch like crazy.
Thats all my opinion
Elonwy

[frenchiemama]

Jnkmnky, on Oct 31 2005, 09:05 AM, said:

Birth control pills to control the pain of endometriosis is more like a medication for a serious problem... Does anyone see a problem with using birth control pills to control pregnancy?  I cringe when I hear women are using those pills/patches.  Of course, you may cringe when people bring up the "don't use them" train of thought...   I just don't see why women believe they're safe.  There are alternatives to hormones.  And isn't it a CRAZY idea when you separate it from what you're trying to control....?  You're putting Hormones into your body and changing around your natural state of being to ensure you don't get pregnant.  I feel like women have been duped into abusing their bodies with this junk.  Sure, you don't get pregnant..but at what cost?  If you clean out your body, you'll see your body has a natural cycle of fertility.  When used correctly, NFP has as high a rate of effectiveness as birth control pills..without the side effects.  No, I am not a religious right hyper conservative republican evangelical christian born again catholic right winger george bush loving pro life planned parenthood hating anti liberal anti roe vs wade stereotype.  ....  I just think a woman's body should be free and clear of as many synthesized drugs as possible.  We're all trying hard to be healthy, avoid gluten and the other foods that cause discomfort and then there's a conversation about birth control options focusing mainly on hormones we can take to supress ovulation... why don't women just realize that ovulation is our friend...a natural cycle in our bodies and realize we can learn to recognize the signs of ovulation, allow our bodies to function NORMALLY, and avoid pregnancy by knowing our own body cycles?  It's a really healthy thing to do for ourselves.  Of course, exceptions made for the trauma of endometriosis.  That's a medical condition that needs attention.  Ovulation is NOT a medical condition that requires "fixing".  I'm just trying to point out we can live with our female bodies without drugs.  Not pushing *values* other than the value of the female experience.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know some people who use NFP, and they seem happy with it. However these people are also the kind who would be ok if they had an "oops". I am NOT one of those people. It goes beyond just not wanting kids, I think I have some kind of kid-phobia. I absolutely don't want to be around them under any circumstances. In fact, I dread the day that either of my siblings decides to reproduce. I'm sure everyone is going to think that I'm horrible because of this, but for me it's BC + barrier until we can afford surgical sterilization.

[Jnkmnky]

frenchiemama, on Oct 31 2005, 02:54 PM, said:

I know some people who use NFP, and they seem happy with it. However these people are also the kind who would be ok if they had an "oops". I am NOT one of those people. It goes beyond just not wanting kids, I think I have some kind of kid-phobia. I absolutely don't want to be around them under any circumstances. In fact, I dread the day that either of my siblings decides to reproduce. I'm sure everyone is going to think that I'm horrible because of this, but for me it's BC + barrier until we can afford surgical sterilization.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You're not horrible. My sister has NO desire for kids either. I don't quite understand it, but I don't have a problem with a person choosing a kid-less life. I only want to stress the use of bcpills as they relate to women's health. I understand not wanting to get pregnant, but I don't understand choosing bcpills as the preferred method. I think it's such a barbaric thing to do to a woman's body and I think the way we accept this as our main method of bc is due to the fact that we're not taking better care of our health. We undervalue our natural state of being female. Don't tell me they couldn't have invented a male bcp by now that would be available to alter the hormones of men. But they know men won't take them and there'd be little or no profit... WOMEN, however, will do this to themselves. Just boggles my mind. For medical reasons- to control pain- as a last, best resort... that's understandable. But for bc? I can't believe we haven't revolted against this form of female abuse. The truth is, we're using the hormones because men have convinced us condoms are so awful for THEM, that if we don't wreck our bodies with hormones to control unwanted pregnancies, we don't love them enough.