Should be OK, as it does not absorb in the colon. But, if you are concerned, why not switch to the patch, ring or implant?

Jan

I was on the pill, with clockwork cycles with a pouch from 19-39 and never got pregnant! Hubs took over the BC after that since going off, the PMS is worse and can't set my watch by the cycles anymore, so it must have worked for me!

Dr. Shen mentioned on his way out the door after my last appointment to stay away from estrogen. Since I can't take hormones because of the blood clots I've had in the past, I didn't ask why, but now I'm curious what role estrogen plays in our systems.

Anyone who is on estrogen containing birth control pills is at a higher risk for blood clots, not just us. This ia a major reason they advise against smoking while on BCPs, as smoking increases blood clot risk. UC is another risk factor. If you have a history of blood clots, any decent OB/GYN would recommend against estrogen based BCPs, unless you are on anticoagulants.

I think Dr. Shen was referring to your blood clot risk, not your j-pouch.

But, you have to weigh risk against benefit and evaluate each case individually. Read here for more info:
http://www.clevelandclinicmede...ous-thromboembolism/

Jan

Jan, the discussion with Dr. Shen was regarding jpouch function. He told me in addition to limiting carbs and sugar, avoiding estrogen would help as well. I haven't done any research on it, but thought it was interesting.

Hmmm, interesting. I suppose that if you are dealing with chronic pouchitis or IPS, the effect of female hormones on gut function is a consideration. For example, diarrhea and abdominal pain is commonly associated with menstruation and those hormones. But, in general, estrogen slows motility.

So, yeah, I could see the correlation. But if you need to take a low dose birth control pill because of severe PMS, endometriosis, etc., having a more even level would be more beneficial to your gut than wide swings.

Did Dr. Shen also refer to phytoestrogens (plant based) in your diet, or was he just talking about hormone therapy?

Jan

I do have major issues with IPS and it is especially worse during my period. I used to take Seasonique before the blood clot issue and it definitely helped some of the issues I was having around my period. I believe he was referring to birth control.

res interesting stuff. Though I no longer have a jpouch (had it removed about 2.5 years ago) I have bad sibo diagnosed by Dr. Shen and my local GI. I alternate antibiotics and try to stick to the FODMAP diet. I have noticed symptoms are significantly worse at certain times of the month. So much so, that my local GI has suggested I proactively use the stronger antibiotic before those times.

I took the pill for a 4 year span while I had an ileostomy and then my j-pouch. I suppose it worked fine, because my periods were always like clockwork and of course, I never got pregnant. I no longer take the pill but that is for other reasons. Nothing to do with the pouch.

That being said, if you are truly worried about absorption being a problem, you could consider another form of BC, such as the patch.