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Should You Stop Taking Birth Control Pills if You're Over 35?

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My cholesterol shot up right when I turned 40 and the only change I made during that time was that I went on Birth Control pills. I was unable to get my cholesterol numbers to go down through diet and exercise. My doctor advised that I go on cholesterol lowering medications, but I did not. I went off birth control pills and my cholesterol numbers came down to an acceptable level after three months. the only conclusing I can draw from this is that birth control pills can affect cholesterol levels. I also have a family history of high cholesterol so maybe this is only true for some people.

cassie of MI 1:24PM September 19, 2011

I have had a difficult time becoming pregnant. My doctor has prescribed a one year supply of birth control and told me not to take the placebo pills, in hopes that when I go off of the pills, I will become pregnant.

Heidi of UT 10:14AM May 19, 2011

i have been taking yaz for months but now I am looking for a non-hormonal birth control method which, aside from a profilactic, doesnt seem to exist.
I have always understood from my cardiologist that the risk for hear problems do come from the pill alone but they come from the hormones ANY of these methods introduce to our bodies be it Mirena, the shot or the implant, they all release hromones into the system and I thought THAT was the problem.
But reading this it seems the shot or the implant may be less risky that the pill? Is that right?

Maddy of NY 1:11AM February 01, 2011

I am 50 years old. I have been on the pill, it seems like forever, which I have taken every day (no weeks off). What do you think would happen if I stopped taking it. Do you think I would go back to my sporatic bleeding (that's why she put me on the pill)? Also, will I lose or gain weight?

Lisa of NE 5:20PM January 29, 2011

Before you go for the Mirena, really look up the complaints about it. I got the Mirena because so many women said their period stopped with it. Yay!! Well, for me it not only didn't stop...it got worse. When I first had it implanted, my period was ON for two months straight! I went to my OBGYN and he said this was a normal side effect that was nothing to worry about. Huh, men. So then I finally tapered off to getting my period...twice a month. After a year of this I decided I wanted it out (and after reading so many horror stories and sites devoted to the nightmare) and after it was removed the nightmare really began! I got the heaviest bleeding ever, huge clots over and over for days. I had to have an emergency med called in (weekend of course) to slow the bleeding. I could go into detail, about the uncontrollable amount of flow, the way a 'super max' pad was about as helpful as a kleenex, or my new couch, but you get the idea. It was awful. I would never ever recommend the Mirena to anyone, ever. For some, it seems to be great. But for so many, they have stories just like mine. Do your reasearch and don't get caught up in the idea of just the good stuff.

Mom to 2 before Mirena of VA 11:54AM January 26, 2011

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Copy Paste traffic review of AL 4:29AM January 13, 2011

I have been sick all mylife long with unknown reason. Nowat the age of 37 finally found my saver "Yaz' and feeling like human.. But my dr. wants to take away this for me due to my age riske factor, OH not kill me befor you can do that . I strong ,I am not lossing my hair , not terrible acne (i have a face now). I can function...tell me what ever it is but you can not take this away from me...I am not overweight , I do not smoke and healthy ..why worrie ..

Jerry of IL 1:58PM September 23, 2010

Cool post.

low cost links of AL 12:39AM May 07, 2010

I am a white female. 41 years old, I have 4 children ages 23,21,18 and 5. I decided to go on Depo-Provera 4 years after having my last child due to uterine cysts. I was told the shot would shrink my cysts and I wouldn't have the horrible periods I'd been having since my daughter's birth. What I wasn't told is that unlike when i took the Depo shot in my 30's I was at a huge risk for weight gain. I have been on Depo now 9 months and believe me not having periods has been great and all the pain I was having is gone BUT I have gained 15 lbs in 9 months. I will NOT be taking another shot. My hope now is that i can go back to my normal weight I was for all my life. 115 lbs. This sucks!

Kari of FL 1:26PM April 20, 2010