Periods Makes Pots Worse

[Darlene]

what is the safest birth control for pots: one that doesn't cause weight gain, blood clots, etc. or maybe endometrial ablation... anyone have this done? iv or local sedation is ok, do not want general surgery (don't feel healthy enough for that). is novasure the same as endometrial ablation?

[kayjay]

Ablation was offered to me. My mom was actually opposed. I have had sugery for endometriosis. It was bad enough that my doctor wanted to show me pictures. Yuk!

I currently take kariva continually as per mayo clinic. It helps a lot. I do have " break though bleeding" but my period no longer has much of an effect on my pots.

[trice125]

My GYN and GI highly suggest the nuvaring.

[misstraci]

I've had multiple prescribed to me and all the dr's say that the blood clot risk is really low, however, the first immediate thing I see when opening the packing in capital, bold letters, is that blood clots are a potential, life threatening side effect. It really, really freaks me out. I've had the progestin only rod that is inserted in your arm called implanon, I'm not sure how it does with POTS because I had it prior to. I have a girl at work who got that essure procedure done, said she is really pleased. I don't think it affects the cycle/... pots symptoms as it is just a straight non hormonal, non reversible birth control. I'd love to read everyone else's answers here . My symptoms are SO much worse before, during and after my period. I used to say that I have one good week per month, now they're all crappy, so.....

Good luck, hope someone has some good answers for us!!

[Darlene]

my nurse practitioner at the health dept. said mirena or endometrial ablation would be good, i m just not sure what i want to do. misstraci, i was dx with POTS when im 2005, at the time i was put on lexapro, metoprolol, and ortho novum (birth control). i went to the ER one night and he told me to quit taking the birth control, and prescribed me to take plavix for 3 or 4 days. i went to the ER because of severe POTS symptoms. i was about 34/35 i think at the time. other dr.'s have even asked me, why would he do that. i did have a positive d dimer 6 months ago, which is a blood test that indicated blood clot. i had a nuclear scan of my heart, and lung, but no blood clot there.

so because of the positive d dimer i do worry about taking birth control, but i can't keep having these awful periods. i m 39 now, not sure if they change when you get older but for the past 2 years i ve been bleeding more than i ever have. i also have a cyst on my left ovary that hurts. wonder if the cyst can be removed without general surgery.

[derekliz]

An endometrial ablation is NOT birth control..it is very dangerous if you have one and get pregnant. Any good doctor will not do the ablation until you are sure you dont want children, are done having children and you significant other is using protection.

Novasure is one of the brands used for an endometrial ablation and is supposed to have a better success rate.

My dr did my ablation using Novasure in the hospital (outpatient procedure) so he would be able to monitor my symptoms. My POTS specialist faxed him a letter staing I needed 3 bags of lactated ringers, 1 bag before, during and after the procedure. I was under anesthesia for the procedure and would highly encourage that. From what I have heard, it is very painful.

After the first month, the flow was very light and is even lighter now. When an ablation is done, it does not affect your hormones. So if your symptoms are hormone related, an ablation wont help but if your symptoms are from large blood loss, this may help. Good luck!

Liz

[corina]

I have a Mirena and am really happy with it. I had no more blood loss after about 3 months. Surgery is very hard on my dysautonomia so for me that wasn't a choice! Good luck in finding what is best for you!

[Relax86]

I had the Novasure ablation on June 3rd. It was done under anesthesia. Very easy surgery. Understand I am out of the main part of my flare right now, but I will tell you I would have had this procedure at any time to stop the bleeding I was having. I am a low blood volume POTS/dysaut and unconfirmed autoimmune and started getting severe bleeding at age 37ish...I'm 45 and there was no sign of slowing. No matter how much iron I gobble or when I take it or with what foods/empty stomach I could not keep my levels up. And my ferritin was always low too. Since this procedure I've had very minimal spotting, no side effects, the same hormonal changes and no flare in my POTS symptoms. I'm a little flared currently which I think is from the dramatic increase in humidity in the past 2 days here in S Jersey.

At the very least the chore that it was to have a period so heavy is behind me or so I hope. And just like Liz said this is permanent birth control intended to reduce or stop periods all together. Good luck with your decision.

[AussieOI]

I am on a pill called Levlen ED - not sure if it is an Australian brand name. Periods really bought on my POTS symptoms badly and the pill is great for me as it increases blood volume and can also increase blood pressure which is a good thing for me. It also reduces period pain and makes everything a lot more bearable.

[jaddico]

I highly recommend Mirena IUD as well a. Another option which I have used is Progesterone Only Pills "POPS" such as "Errin", since I cannot take combined hormone due to migraines and elevation in BP. I have history of endometriosis, fibroids, heavy menstrual bleeding and uterine adenomyosis ( the main cause of the heavy bleeding). iIhave D&C /ablation done without success. POPS are the only thing that I will take

[jaddico]

PS, I rarely got periods with use of POPS..maybe once or twice a year with small spotting. I got off because I wanted to get pregnant but had to get infertility treatments due to miscarriages. Nuva ring continuous gave migraines and raised my BP.