[want2live]

I went to my GP to discuss several health concerns and to also ask about birth control (which I haven't used before). My doc sent me for some tests and gave me pamphlets on the following contraception options:

Yaz
NuvaRing
Mirena
Contraceptive implant (inserted into arm) pamphlet by Organon

I thought yaz sounded good particularly as it can't be ejected from my body like a device could and I could stop taking it at any time if side effects are bad. But I have looked around here today and seen only bad things written about yaz. This is the only pill form of bc my doc gave me info about - should she have given me info about others too?

I got my test results back this week (following up from some issues) and have been diagnosed with osteoporosis (which I wrote about in the general section of this forum). I'm only 29 and having trouble getting info on osteoporosis but have read it can be accelerated by hormone levels (or lack of) as well as other things. I'm willing to wait a little for birth control to get on top of other things first but wondering does anyone have info on how bc affects bone density and if there are some options that might particularly help or hinder?

My doc was very blunt and had no time for my questions yesterday and I'm looking for a new one but in the meantime all advice will be greatly apprecieated.

[Mes T]

Jeez what is it with doctors not giving options?? Arrr!!

You should have definitely gotten other pill options, as well as Yaz. Like you, I have only heard bad things about Yaz... and I wonder why it's sooo popular among doctors.

As for the Mirena, why she would recommend that and not mention anything about it's non-hormonal counterpart, the Paragard, is beyond me.

If this doctor has no time for your questions, find someone else.

Not sure about birth control and bone density... maybe someone else will have some insight for ya.

[LanaBear]

Wow - I agree with Mes! The Dr should have given you more options, unless he's just trying to cover the general gamut of options.

I was a pill user for 12 years and Depo shot for 1. I would not recommend the shot, but that is my personal experience. I did take a low hormonal dose BC pill (I'm susceptible to migraines) for the majority of my years on the pill and didn't have any problems whatsoever. I was on Nordette.

Do some research and if you don't find another Dr., go back to your existing one with YOUR options and decision, not his.

[ItsASecret]

Based on the fact that there are so many types I am sure the doctor goes with the ones they prescribe the most, saves them time considering how many patients they have to go through in a day. People get mad at that (I have on one occasion) but if there were more doctors then more people could get their half hour talks instead of to the point answers and pamphlets thrown at them. For as many people hating a type of birth control there are countless amounts that like it. That is why they are still going to be prescribed to millions of women. Nowadays people need to educate themselves, but unfortunately not everyone understands what each type of bc does or what the language is even talking about.

[kira]

If you know you want to try a pill and not yaz then just go back and say so. They can prescribe you dozens these days. Personally I love yasmin but with bone density issues yaz and yasmin may not be a good choice. I believe the birth control with higher levels of estrogen are actually known to help prevent bone loss. I've seen ovcon, the patch, and nuvarings mentioned as actually being used as part of the treatment for osteoporosis. Things that are attached or inserted get the hormones directly into the blood stream and so you actually end up with a higher and more consistent level of estrogen than taking pills.

[want2live]

Thank you for your replies everyone. I can't believe that I was ready to go in and ask for yaz - the info in the brochure seemed so positive but it left so much out.

Anyway, now with my osteoporosis diagnosis it does change things and I'm on the hunt for a new doctor. I went to an upmarket womens clinic and paid through the nose to go there because they give 1/2 hour appointments but at my last appointment I was taken in 10 minutes late, sent out on time and the doc spent most of the time out of the room looking for my test results. Just not happy with any of that. My BF actually went to see his doc yesterday (he was sick) and asked about osteoporosis for me and his doc had more time to discuss it with him than mine had to discuss it with me... hmmm - think my doc is not very good.

Kira thanks for your info on oestrogen to prevent bone loss - I found something about this on a medical site this morning too. I still need more info on it but its a good push in the right direction.

The thing I'm left wondering now - if I need to research options to present my preferences to my doctor - is there somewhere I can find a comprehensive list of bc options?