Well, I should be getting my period this weekend. And then on Sunday I'll be starting Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. But, I've read a lot of stuff about increased blood clot risk and I have been thinking about it so much, the thought of it is just driving me insane! I swear, I have lost so much sleep over this, due to my paranoia.
I'm healthy, 18, and don't smoke, am 5'8" and 120 lbs (reasonably small frame), and yet, I'm still paranoid. I always am. I look at statistics, and even if a side effect is rare, I think, "Oh my God. What if I'm the one in a million!" I mean, I've had rare stuff occur in my life before! I once got my tongue stuck in my braces for an hour. I was born a trimester premature and could have died. I can't help but feel paranoid about this, especially since I am often in my college dorm the entire day, doing online homework which we're required to do. And I feel like my risk would probably be increased even more by that inactivity!
I dunno, I'm just so SCARED... The doc here on my college campus said I worry too much. Yeah, I agree, but thst doesn't mean It'll be easy, stopping my tendancy to overanalyze.
I really wouldn't be taking birth control pills at all. I would just be using condoms. However, my mom got pregnant twice while using condoms, and she is adamant in telling me that "they just DON'T work." My mom took a birth control pill (Ortho Novum) for ten years and was totally fine, though. Never had a blood clot. She never even worried about one because my mom tends to just "go with the flow and not worry about every little tiny thing, like I do."
As for my dad, and blood clots, well, he's never had one. And he's incredibly unhealthy and overweight, and does absolutely nothing but sit around all day, and eat, and sleep. So I would assume if he were suseptible to them, he'd have one by now. People in his family tend to live into their 80s and onward, and my mom's family is pretty healthy too.
So, yeah, I think my family history is OK. More than OK, actually. I was never tested to see if I am genetically predispositioned to anything, but, judging by my family, I doubt that I am. Since I was born so premature though, I sm always wary of possible health problems I may have. I have never had anything, ever, though, to be honest. I guess I worry way too much. And yet, I feel sort of trapped. I have to take birth control if I plan on having sex with my boyfriend in december. But I don't want to. I have my pills with me here, and I'm ready to take them, I just hope I don't drive myself crazy with all my worrying. Somebody, say anything to help me feel better... :( I have been feeling nothing but anxiety and fear about this, when I am probably the least likely out of anyone to experience problems with bcp.
On the surface you seem unnecessarily worried about the risk of a blood clot. You are young, a non smoker, and have no family history. Yes, someone has to be that one in a million but statistically speaking, it is highly unlikely to be you. There is no connection between a freak brace occurance and a later blood clot from birth control, however much your paranoia may be hinting at some strange dark force at work!! Not to belittle your anxiety, honestly, but it doesn't work like that. Paranoia and anxiety are often delusions from within one's own brain, with scant relation to reality.
That said, you're still going to be worried.
In your position, then, I would consider a couple of other options.
1. the mirena coil. There maybe an issue if you haven't had kids (I assume not) in terms of insertion, but when its in there is nothing to worry or think about and i beleive the reisk of blood clot is negligible. It also lightens rather than increases period loss so that's another plus if that is an issue for you.
2. Condoms. Yes, I know you mentioned tham and your mum is anti (through experience if i remember right from your post) but the success rate is very high if used correctly. You can use them with extra spermicide too so the success rate increases.
You say you are in a steady relationship? If so, you should be able to talk this through with your partner - 50% of the responsibiltiy for you not getting pregnant lies with him and he should be sensitive to your fears.
The other thing I just thought of is this. This is in no sense a recommendation at all, obviously prevention 100% the eay to go but if you did go down the condom route and is fell off / tore / whatever, there is the morning after pill. Accidents do happen!
Good luck with your deliberations. I firmly beleive there is no reason for any woman to get pregnant unless she wants to. There is a solution out there that will suit you.
This message has been edited by madboobie on Oct 17, 2009 12:34 PM
Re: You guys... I'm so scared about starting birth control!
October 18 2009, 5:38 PM
Yeah i have to say i dont think the thought of side effects even entered my head at all! I was just excited about having a regular period :). Maybe BCP's arent the best option for you, if your going to work yourself up that much.I would also suggest looking into other options.