Gfcf Birth Control Pill?

[julie5914]

I think my body reacts to casein the same way it does to gluten. Ever since I went back on the pill I started getting headaches and muscle inflammation again - so I started taking them 3 months at a time thinking it was hormonal migraines and I could stop them if I kept a constant flow of hormones.

Instead I was giving it a constant flow of casein, and it got worse. Just found out today when I called Barr labs on a hunch - it is Junel, a generic for LoEstrin. I asked it is was gluten free since I've also had gastro upset lately that I can't track down in my diet. He said, no but it has lactose - there is dairy. Yikes.

So now how do I figure out which birth control is safe? Just switch to the patch? I need to stay on it because I'm prone to cysts.

[kabowman]

If I remember correctly, most BCPs have lactose as a coating. Now, that has been about 5 years ago the last I researched that but, mine is mild enough that I am not giving up my pill to control my periods!!!

[julie5914]

I am just trying to track down what is causing symptoms - can't find it in food...

Maybe I should try the patch just for kicks since it sounds like the milk is on all most pills.

[Guest cassidy]

I tried the patch and I really didn't like it. It was more convenient than the pill but it left a sticky bandaid-type residue. I would put it on my butt and move it around every month and sometimes when I was getting undressed it would come off because a corner was lifted up.

I tried the ring after that and loved it. I had a good reaction to it and never felt it at all. I recommend the ring over the patch.

[kabowman]

I am getting ready to switch to an IUD myself.

[Felidae]

My bc pills have lactose in them. But they do not bother me. You could try a different brand to see if they are the cause of your troubles. Or maybe it is still a food issue causing the troubles.

[americangirl]

Hello,

I was reading your posts and was wondering about those who said they are taking birth control to control their periods. Were you taking birth control the whole time on your gluten free diet? The reason I ask is that I wonder if they are not related. Celiac/ wheat intolerance causes reproductive probelms, and now being gluten free for awhile I have to wonder that your periods would now be regular. This is of particular interest to me in that I have had only one period since stopping my birth control in October 2005. I was finally diagnosed with wheat intolerance last week and am now waiting to heal. I was told to give it three or four months and should be "normal" (also am hypothyroid, but that is supposedly in range). Just wondering if any of you had thought about stopping the birth control and seeing if you were now 'regular.'

[jenvan]

I think my body reacts to casein the same way it does to gluten. Ever since I went back on the pill I started getting headaches and muscle inflammation again - so I started taking them 3 months at a time thinking it was hormonal migraines and I could stop them if I kept a constant flow of hormones.

Instead I was giving it a constant flow of casein, and it got worse. Just found out today when I called Barr labs on a hunch - it is Junel, a generic for LoEstrin. I asked it is was gluten free since I've also had gastro upset lately that I can't track down in my diet. He said, no but it has lactose - there is dairy. Yikes.

So now how do I figure out which birth control is safe? Just switch to the patch? I need to stay on it because I'm prone to cysts.

I also recommend the nuvaring. Less hormones than oral and goes right into the bloodstream...so you don't need to worry about missing a dose or something like antibiotics interfering with it.

[hannahsue01]

My gyno had suggested an IUD. I have tried the pills and they made my stomach upset.....only tried two different ones. I am currently back on the depo shot. I was on it four 4 years previous to my last baby. I personally choose this method over the others this time due to conveinence and the lack of stomach aches as well as I personally only had one period in a 4 year time frome last time . I have extreamly horrible heavy periods. My sister has had cysts removed from her uterous and her gyno has kept her on the depo shot since she was 16 or so.

[pinkpei77]

I tried the ring after that and loved it. I had a good reaction to it and never felt it at all. I recommend the ring over the patch.

oh good!! i just got the ring and i start it next week!

i am kind of nervous, but im glad you like it. i dont know anyone else on it.

do you feel like the hormones are less than in pills?

[happygirl]

I have been gluten-free for two years, and just discovered that I am also casein/soy/eggs intolerant. I called the pharmacy today and asked about my pill, Kariva (which is the generic of Mircette). It is both gluten-free and cf. Hope this helps.

[jenvan]

oh good!! i just got the ring and i start it next week!

i am kind of nervous, but im glad you like it. i dont know anyone else on it.

do you feel like the hormones are less than in pills?

Yes...generally speaking. Here's a info below:

Because the hormones in the ring are constantly being released into the body, less hormones are needed. In fact, the average levels of estrogen in the bloodstream is about 18 pictograms/milliliter (pg/ml) for the NuvaRing, whereas the estrogen level is at about 35 pg/ml for the average hormonal pill. These lower amounts of hormones lead to fewer or less severe side effects for most women.

[pinkpei77]

thanks jen!~

[michelleL]

Do you know if the Kariva is soy-free, too? I reacted terribly to the Sprintec, and that had soy oil in it.... and now the doc prescribed Kariva for me.