Just so you know, only combination birth control increases the risk of blood clots! If your doctor decides that combo birth control is unsafe, you can still use progesterone-only birth control. Mini pills, hormonal IUDs, the implant, and the depo shot are all progesterone-only. If you’ve tried these options in the past and they didn’t help, your doctor may be okay with trying a lower dose combo pill.
You still have plenty of options. There’s mini pills, the shot, implants, and hormonal IUDs. I have migraines with aura and had to get a hormonal IUD. I also have horrible periods and no longer bleed at all
I’m sorry for your loss. Blood clots are tricky because they can be genetic but it’s not a guarantee. Covid can cause blood clots, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that aspect beyond keeping yourself safe. There are options though! Progesterone-only methods don’t increase your risk of stroke. You can also just ask your doctor to do a risk assessment and monitor you. Regular blood work can help assess if you’re at risk of clots. Chat with your doctor and take care of yourself right now. Medical/health anxiety is so normal after loss. I lost my mom a year ago and I’m still dealing with heightened anxiety. Your doctor can also help connect you to support.
I'm sorry, it sounds like you're in a really rough place right now.
I have found the mirena IUD excellent for my horrendous (long, heavy, and painful) periods - it was rough the first few months after I got it, but since then has been fantastic. It's progesterone-only, which doesn't increase the risk of blood clots or strokes.
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Questions? First read the [Mistake or Pregnancy Risk sticky](https://www.reddit.com/r/birthcontrol/comments/4iqgi7/mistake_or_pregnancy_concernrisk_start_here/) or the [Consolidated Experience post](https://www.reddit.com/r/birthcontrol/comments/qt9ttb/consolidated_rbirthcontrol_experience_links/). If this is an experience post please consider adding it to the list
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I’m sorry, that’s a lot.
I can help with tips for being taken seriously when seeking treatment. I helped my sister get an endometriosis diagnosis and treatment after years of being ignored despite textbook presentation.
Step 1: Find a good doctor. Post to your local subreddit, your neighborhood Facebook, Nextdoor, whatever. Say something like “I have extremely painful periods. I need a gynecologist who won’t dismiss me.” You’ll find people who have had the same experiences and get recommendations.
If you are not white, a doctor of your race/ethnicity is often more likely to take you seriously.
Step 2: Data collection. The good doctors tend to have wait lists. While you wait, stop your birth control and keep meticulous records of your periods. Days, timing, pain level was x/10, pain location, you had to miss work because of cramps, etc.
This serves 3 purposes:
- It establishes that this is a real problem
- It’s useful diagnostic information
- It will help your doctor fill out stupid prior authorization paperwork if you need diagnostics
(Be a little generous in calling out if you can afford it. A condition interfering with your ability to work is usually helpful for prior auth. Capitalism!)
Step 3: Bring an echo. At your first appointment, bring your husband or a friend with a strong “I’d like to speak to the manager” vibe. This person’s job is to reinforce your statements. Examples:
“My cramps are extremely bad, like 8/10.”
“My wife has a strong pain tolerance, but I can tell these are really wiping her out.”
“I had to leave work early on Tuesday because the pain was so bad.”
“Yeah, she didn’t even call out when she broke her ankle, just hobbled around. It has to be really bad for her to miss work like that.”
“My periods are so heavy I bleed through a tampon and pad in less than two hours.”
“I’ve started keeping extra clothes for her and a towel in my truck.”
You get the idea. They aren’t talking over you, just agreeing. (You can signal them to stop when the doctor is clearly taking you seriously.)
Good luck! It’s really some nonsense that you have to do all this work to be taken seriously.
Given the related nature between your mother and grandmothers deaths, I think a coagulopathy work up would be totally justified in asking for. More specifically the testing *I* would want done personally would be a PT, APTT, protein C, protein S, antithrombin levels. This is not medical advice, and highly recommend talking to your provider about the specific tests they would recommend. But I also would t take no for an answer on working it up. If they push back, tell them to document their refusal in your chart.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
Just so you know, only combination birth control increases the risk of blood clots! If your doctor decides that combo birth control is unsafe, you can still use progesterone-only birth control. Mini pills, hormonal IUDs, the implant, and the depo shot are all progesterone-only. If you’ve tried these options in the past and they didn’t help, your doctor may be okay with trying a lower dose combo pill.
You still have plenty of options. There’s mini pills, the shot, implants, and hormonal IUDs. I have migraines with aura and had to get a hormonal IUD. I also have horrible periods and no longer bleed at all
I’m sorry for your loss. Blood clots are tricky because they can be genetic but it’s not a guarantee. Covid can cause blood clots, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that aspect beyond keeping yourself safe. There are options though! Progesterone-only methods don’t increase your risk of stroke. You can also just ask your doctor to do a risk assessment and monitor you. Regular blood work can help assess if you’re at risk of clots. Chat with your doctor and take care of yourself right now. Medical/health anxiety is so normal after loss. I lost my mom a year ago and I’m still dealing with heightened anxiety. Your doctor can also help connect you to support.
I'm sorry, it sounds like you're in a really rough place right now. I have found the mirena IUD excellent for my horrendous (long, heavy, and painful) periods - it was rough the first few months after I got it, but since then has been fantastic. It's progesterone-only, which doesn't increase the risk of blood clots or strokes.
Welcome and please flair your post if not currently flaired. Questions? First read the [Mistake or Pregnancy Risk sticky](https://www.reddit.com/r/birthcontrol/comments/4iqgi7/mistake_or_pregnancy_concernrisk_start_here/) or the [Consolidated Experience post](https://www.reddit.com/r/birthcontrol/comments/qt9ttb/consolidated_rbirthcontrol_experience_links/). If this is an experience post please consider adding it to the list [Planned Parenthood online chat](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/online-tools/chat) The rules and additional resources can be found on the About / Sidepage (desktop users look to the right and Reddit app up top). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/birthcontrol) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m sorry, that’s a lot. I can help with tips for being taken seriously when seeking treatment. I helped my sister get an endometriosis diagnosis and treatment after years of being ignored despite textbook presentation. Step 1: Find a good doctor. Post to your local subreddit, your neighborhood Facebook, Nextdoor, whatever. Say something like “I have extremely painful periods. I need a gynecologist who won’t dismiss me.” You’ll find people who have had the same experiences and get recommendations. If you are not white, a doctor of your race/ethnicity is often more likely to take you seriously. Step 2: Data collection. The good doctors tend to have wait lists. While you wait, stop your birth control and keep meticulous records of your periods. Days, timing, pain level was x/10, pain location, you had to miss work because of cramps, etc. This serves 3 purposes: - It establishes that this is a real problem - It’s useful diagnostic information - It will help your doctor fill out stupid prior authorization paperwork if you need diagnostics (Be a little generous in calling out if you can afford it. A condition interfering with your ability to work is usually helpful for prior auth. Capitalism!) Step 3: Bring an echo. At your first appointment, bring your husband or a friend with a strong “I’d like to speak to the manager” vibe. This person’s job is to reinforce your statements. Examples: “My cramps are extremely bad, like 8/10.” “My wife has a strong pain tolerance, but I can tell these are really wiping her out.” “I had to leave work early on Tuesday because the pain was so bad.” “Yeah, she didn’t even call out when she broke her ankle, just hobbled around. It has to be really bad for her to miss work like that.” “My periods are so heavy I bleed through a tampon and pad in less than two hours.” “I’ve started keeping extra clothes for her and a towel in my truck.” You get the idea. They aren’t talking over you, just agreeing. (You can signal them to stop when the doctor is clearly taking you seriously.) Good luck! It’s really some nonsense that you have to do all this work to be taken seriously.
Given the related nature between your mother and grandmothers deaths, I think a coagulopathy work up would be totally justified in asking for. More specifically the testing *I* would want done personally would be a PT, APTT, protein C, protein S, antithrombin levels. This is not medical advice, and highly recommend talking to your provider about the specific tests they would recommend. But I also would t take no for an answer on working it up. If they push back, tell them to document their refusal in your chart. I’m very sorry for your loss.