?? for Catholic cysters

4042 · 08-06-2006, 03:23 AM

I have been dx for a little over a year. I was rx sprinolactone and bcps. However, this is fine now but when i get married i will need to stop the bcp to be in line with the catholic church. Any alternatives out their instead of bcps? Any catholic cysters take something instead of bcp to control their symptoms?

thanks

jennynd · 08-06-2006, 11:21 PM

Nice to meet another Catholic cyster! Are there congrats on your engagement in order here?!?

Yes, you can definitely use Natural Family Planning (links in my addy). In fact, our diocese makes NFP classes mandatory since at present it is the only birth control method for Catholics (works with the fertility God gave you, not the one modern medicine has). You should be able to get some info from your church on this & if you can't find a class nearby you can always do the video class through Couple to Couple League www.ccli.org NFP is a method of charting your body's natural signs of fertility to identify when you ovulate.

My DH & I have been using it for the 2 1/2 years we've been married & it has been great. It can be difficult at times since it requires periodic abstinence but the health, emotional, & spiritual benefits are far worth it. You don't have to have regular cycles to use it (I don't!) & when used correctly it's 99% effective... same as bcps.

If you are on a bcp now to regulate cycles you should ask your doc about other therapies available... there should be some. Also, to use NFP reliably you need to be off bcp for at least 3 months b/c when you come off it your cycles may go a little weird the first few months & it will be hard to interpret your charts. So, start this whole switcheroo process before you get married... start charting a few months before you get married too.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them. I think many Catholic women are wondering the same thing! Good luck!

4042 · 08-07-2006, 12:52 AM

Thanks for your response. It is nice to me you as well. I am a 31 year old chase catholic. I am not close to being engaged yet but know it will happen soon. Even thought i know i am not doing anything wrong now with taking the bcps i know it will be wrong when the time comes to get married. I am familiar with nfp and it is required in my dioceses as well for married couples. However, i am taking bcps to regulate my periods, nfp does not work for regulating therefore i was wondering when the time comes if their was anything else to take in conjunction with doing nfp that would regulate my periods? I know I will have to go to a nfp doctor to answer my questions when the time comes i was just hoping I might be able to go to my doc. armed with some alternatives.

Thanks and God Bless You

jennynd · 08-08-2006, 06:19 AM

4042 Cyster: I don't know exactly what meds would work to regulate your cycles but there are other options available. Some women have found Metformin helpful & I'm sure other cysters know more meds that are not contraceptive(try asking on the TTC forum too). Since your doc may not understand your moral view, try asking what your options are for regulating cycles when you are ready to have children (even if you are not at that point). Then he/she will understand that you want a treatment that does not prevent reproduction. Do some research & be your own advocate. I hope God blesses you & your doctors with some good info!

Miss-Meme: This is not a personal attack by any means & I'm sure your link was offered in total innocence, but it is not in line with the teachings of Catholicism. Since we recognize that life begins at conception, & one of the ways bcps can work is to prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg, then we cannot morally accept their use.

jennynd · 08-08-2006, 06:25 AM

One more thing... an NFP only physician (www.omsoul.com) will not prescribe bc so you might have an easier time getting different treatment options (I did!). If you are willing to switch docs it may be a good idea. They are usually knowledgable in women's health issues too. Hope this helps!

tigir · 08-08-2006, 08:45 AM

One option I can think of is Prometrium. I am on this now, and I was told by my OB that it is prescribed for women who are ttc to help regulate cycles. It is a natural progesterone, so if you happen to get pg while on it it is supposed to be safer. I am taking it to stop mid-cycle spotting and I will know in another month if it is working for me.

My OB happens to be Catholic, but I still have to be firm about the bcp with him - it seems like it is a quick fix with most Dr. I had to tell him I refuse to go on bcp, give me something that won't stop ttc. There might be other options, but that one seemed most promising to me.

davilara · 08-08-2006, 09:31 AM

They're trying to regulate my cycle with Progesterone and from what I've been told - as long as you have AF at least 3 or 4 times a year than really you're okay.

Good luck!

4042 · 08-08-2006, 11:47 PM

Thanks for the responses. My doctor is catholic too but like yours she Rx bcp, which is not a big deal now b/c as i told her the only reason i agreed to start taking them last year was b.c i was not using them for birth control reasons. I made this very clear. When i went back this year she didn't ask any questions geared to the bcp just wrote a refil Rx (other than asking if i was seeing anyone?) which i thought was kinda strange, mabye she was trying to make small talk or mabye she was trying to see if I was sexually active? whatever the case, i thought i made myself clear the reason i was agreeing to take the bcp's. I love my doctor, i have only been to her twice. Last year was my first time going to the gyno! I know but she is very good, i would hate to change, but will if she offers no suggestions that is in line with the catholic church. Glad to see so many catholic cysters on here. Thanks

Sari · 08-09-2006, 03:33 AM

Just want to make sure you realize that spironolactone causes birth defects and you can't be TTC or "not preventing" and still take the medicine.

4042 · 08-11-2006, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pookiepie777

Metformin (glucophage) and Avandia have worked wonders for me... I used to get only 2 or 3 periods a year and now I get one almost every month.

When on these meds are you as regular and to the day as on birth control pills. I really don't want to go back to wondering every day well will i start today??

Swingin' Cyster · 08-16-2006, 09:11 PM

Vitex (herbal supplement) has helped me in the past and then I think I grew immune to it. Metformin is doing wonders for me now. My problem has always been a long, heavy cycle, not absence of one and prometrium totally helped with that too. Also Google Pope Paul VI Institute and Catholic Center on Bioethics for resources!!
I really think that women with PCOS should try to avoid bcps at all costs. It has terrible repercussions such as infertility, increase risk of breast cancer, etc. Also, if PCOS prevents ovulation, I don't understand how suppressing ovulation would help.
HTH! Blessings on your impending engagement.....

Kara