They say my PE's were caused by birth control pills. I was only on them for about 8 months, a year tops. Mine was the lowest estrogen pill out there. I asked if I could go back on it while on blood thinners and was told no. My periods have been awful and may be the cause of anemia. It's very scary and very frustrating.

I wish you well!

My PE was blamed on birth control pills, which I had been taking for about 5 months due to irregular bleeding (would start bleeding at day 15, and bleed for 10 to 12 days, stop for 3 days, then bleed another 10 to 12). I was told while still in the hospital that I should never take hormones again. I was worried about how my periods would be without the birth control and on blood thinners. I feel I need to cross my fingers and knock on wood, but so far things aren't bad. I had some bleeding while in the hospital, because of stopping the birth control suddenly. I have had 2 menstrual cycles since getting out of the hospital. The bleeding has been heavier than normal, but not shockingly so, and not problematic. I seem to be on a 22 day cycle, which isn't fun, but only bleeding for 4 days, and cramps are only moderate. Much better than what I thought I'd be dealing with. I am taking a daily iron pill per my doctor's orders, so no signs of anemia.
Hope things work out well for you.

I had very heavy periods and had to be put on birth control pills to stop my period. They even doubled up the pills but it wouldn't go away. Finally they gave me the depo shot and after a week my period went away but the damage was done already.... a clot formed in my calf and 2 PE's in my chest from the pills.

I'm about to take another dose of depo cause I was told it's not estrogen and should be fine. I'm scared too because if my periods were heavy on nothing then imagine on blood thinners! I'd ask your dr but I was told I'm fine and they preferred me taking the depo cause of the blood thinners.... after I'm done with treatment that's when we all need to worry.

I was also told no more hormones or birth control pills ever again.

Depo is not estrogen, but if you read the warnings, it does say people who have clotted should not use it. Some docs feel OK with using it when you're still on thinners, but not all.

I'm not saying you shouldn't use depo, just that you should be aware of what the official paperwork for the drug says. Being educated and making a decision is different than trusting your doc and making a decision.

Me, personally, I read all the fine print on every med I take, regardless of what my doc says.

Have you considered a Mirena IUD? It works with the same hormone as the depo but a lower dose delivered straight to the uterus instead of systemically. If it's an option for you then you would want to get it placed before your last depo wears off and that should carry you over with either no period or just very light spotting. I had to go on this after about 8 months on blood thinners because I was losing too much blood each month. It took a couple months to normalize for me since I was going from nothing controlling my periods to something that reduces them so drastically. You may want to ask your docs about it.

Thank you to all who replied to this.. I too read all the fine print now ...lol...

After I recently went back to work, I confided in my boss that I couldn't remember how to do my real job because I was a 'medical advocate now'...lol

After much research, consultation & prayer, I decided to take my last dose. I decided to take it because I was fearful of heavy bleeding on coumadin (yikes!!!) & fearful of pregnancy (double yikes!!!). ..especially while on coumadin & dealing with my own health issues... not to mention already having raised 2 kids through teenage years =0

I do not plan to ever take it again. I once considered the IUD but one of my specialists mentioned a potential risk of bleeding from it... ? I didn't research it b/c my wonderful husband stepped up & & got a vasectomy so that I wouldn't have to worry about additional bc risks past this on my end.

I really wish each of you the best. Thank you again for your feedback.

Ok well now I'm a little worried... I was on birth control pills for 12 years and got a PE 6 months ago at the age of 30. My PCP told me never to take estrogen based birth control again and she said that from now on I had my choice of Depo or an IUD. I chose Depo so that I wouldn't get periods as much, and she told me that I would be fine with that even once I'm done with the coumadin, which happens to be in like 3 weeks... Now I'm worried..Should I get some other doctors opinions as well???

Skyla is a new birth control method which "supposedly" is safe for women at risk of blood clots:

http://patientblog.clotconnect.org/2013/06/03/skyla-iud-new-birth-control-method-suitable-for-women-at-risk-for-blood-clots/

I'd discuss it with an OBGYN. The risk for clots is much lower on progesterone based birth control. Many OBGYNs are ok with their patients who've had clots from estrogen based BC taking progesterone. My OBGYN thinks the risks are very small in fact; however, I choose not to use any hormone based BC. It's all a choice.

As I said above, get online, find the warnings that come with Depo and read through them. Some folks are perfectly comfortable with the Depo, since it doesn't have estrogen, but others aren't. (I'm one of the ones who isn't, since I got my second DVT six weeks after starting on a progesterone-only pill. I avoid all hormones.)

Also, getting a second opinion is a good idea. My OB/GYN was fine with me using hormonal BC while I was on warfarin, but my hematologist wasn't. Ultimately, doctors are just giving recommendations ... It isn't law. You have to figure out what you personally are comfortable with.

Yep!

Hello,

(if 2 replies come thru, plz forgive me... my phone powered off when I was in the middle of my original response..)

The depo was not 100% ID'd as the cause of my clots, but it was named as a 'suspect'... along with a leg injury (big bruise) from about 7 months prior to diagnosis... additionally, one dr added that an upper resp infec could have developed into clots..

Nevertheless, my PCP dr, pulmonologist & hemotologist all agreed that I should discontinue the depo after off coumaden. After much prayer & research, I did elect to take my last shot while on coumaden still, but hope to be off by august.

I'm 37 & had been on depo for many years with great results... however, after all this, I won't be taking it any longer. It 'Is' noted as a lower risk bc option, but not as a no risk option.

I encourage you to read the warning information on the depo site & on the rx pamphlet. It does speak to specific warnings & have candid conversations with your dr.

Thankfully my husb has now permanently removed our bc issues... (smile)

Wishing you the very best!!