Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

I had a massive bilateral PE in Aug 09 and the docs can't tell me with certainty what caused it, although the opinion is the hormonal contraceptives helped. I've never used the pill as a form of birth control, was only prescribed it after being admitted to hospital for blood transfusion due to severe anaemia from a period that lasted nearly eight months. Used it for less then a month and found myself in ICU with the PE.

I'm pretty sure I'm never going to be able to have kids anyway, what with the hormonal/reproductive problems so due to the events of the last year I got offered endometrial ablation - ie destroying the lining of the uterus.
I asked my OBGYN why if they're going to destroy it, can't they just take it out completely, especially given after the procedure I'll have to be extra dilligent about birth control considering I'd be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancies etc. They were extremely reluctant (I'm 24) but after a lot of weighted thought and opinion I'm pretty that's what I want. As much as I wanted to have kids, not having them won't ruin my life as I have been told in the past that I'm clinically infertile.

Just seems like flirting with danger not to.

I had a double PE and DVT in July and it was most likely caused from taking yasmin. I've had conversations with my GP and OB/GYN, they have given me a variety of options which I'm not thrilled with. The one they decided to be the least harmful is the Mirena. I'm not happy about it, but they want me to stay regular to avoid recurrence of the pre-cancer cells. Other options would be regular endometrial biopsy or hysterectomy. I'm 41 with 2 live children so I can be OK being done, and pretty infertile as of late. Good luck to you, the options all seem to stink.

Yeah, I was told absolutely no pill, nothing hormonal, even though I never used the pill in my life. I had always used condoms when I was younger. We're back to using condoms until I'm healthy enough to try for our 3rd child. I was told the risk of having a "silent" infection while having an IUD is high and the infection causing scarring and possibly infertility has left me worried. So strike that option out for me. After our 3rd child I will have my tubes tied and my hubby a vasectomy. Until then, condoms it is.....good luck to you! Hope you find what works!

I had Mirena put in on October 27th (had to fight with insurance, but we finally got prior authorization). I had cramping off and on until just a couple days ago. Still spotting, but hoping that'll go away eventually. :) My gyn has assured me that the string can be shortened if it bothers my husband. (I have not been in the mood to find out...)

I have such awful, horrible periods when I am not on BCP that something had to be done. (They come every 3 weeks, last for 10 days, have a fair amount of cramping, and the bleeding is just crazy...plus I get more migraines...)

roubai,

i had the mirena twice and the bleeding and cramping never stopped. i sure hope it works for you. Yes the string can be shortened but we found the shorter you go, the more it stabbed my husband, so be aware of that. We shortened it several times from the beginning. He wasn't too happy with any of the 3 IUD's i had.
i had an IUD for years (copperT) before mirena. I wouldn't be in the mood to find out now either following my PE.
mine are horrible too..tried D&C's..IUDs, everything. nothing but high dose ovcon worked for me prior to PE. Now i'm on progestrone only for the foreseeable future. Good luck to you!