When you are choosing birth control with fibroids, you may need to make a change. Even if your current birth control has been working for years, your fibroid symptoms might mean it's time for a change. Many women with fibroids choose oral birth control or IUDs. But we know that every woman is different. So it's important to talk to your doctor about which birth control is best for your needs. And to ask the question, what's the best birth control for fibroids?
How can you tell if you need to switch your birth control? If you're experiencing heavy periods, you may want to try a hormone-based birth control option. These include birth control pills and IUDs. Many women find relief from heavy bleeding while they explore fibroid treatment options.
Now, if you have painful cramps, you may want to consider an option such as NuvaRing, which specifically targets this fibroid and PMS symptom.
Keep in mind that you can't take hormonal birth control if you have a high risk of blood clots or stroke. Also some women with diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers should avoid hormonal birth control. But if you want temporary relief from fibroid symptoms, and don't have other health concerns, talk to your doctor about switching birth control.
Remember: not every birth control is safe to use. Essure was a permanent birth control device that caused uterine and fallopian tube fibroids. Manufactured by Bayer, the nickel and polyester coil, inserted into a woman's fallopian tubes, stayed on the market for year. This was a problem since scar tissue formed over the metal coils, permanently blocking your uterus and making pregnancy impossible. 
Since it's 2002 FDA approval, Essure was controversial. For years, Essure users reported devastating side effects. These included cysts and fibroids, plus gastrointestinal, neurological, mental health and blood health complications. In fact, its approval and 2017, women filed over 26,000 Essure complaints with the FDA.
In spite of all these complaints, Bayer didn't admit that Essure was unsafe or ineffective. They pulled it off the U.S. market in 2018. But Bayer insisted that the decision was because of declining sales. They never admitted Essure caused major health concerns. Bayer even complained that "inaccurate and misleading" information about Essure contributed to the sales drop!
Even though Essure is no longer available in the U.S., Bayer will likely be dealing with the effects of this device for a long time. Thousands of women have sued Bayer for the devastating Essure side-effects they've experienced. Bayer's response? The company says it "remains strongly committed to women’s health where we have long been a leader. We recognize that women want safe and effective options that best meet their individual needs, and we are committed to continuing our investment, innovation and leadership in this important area of health." Bayer also plans to enroll women in post-market surveillance programs, and has said it will keep updating the FDA with any relevant health findings from the study.
Recently, we've learned about our potential health complications linked to common methods of birth control. First, there's Depo Provera, a birth control option selected by at least 2 million women in the US and over 74 million around the world. Some providers choose to prescribe these injections to women with fibroids because they may prevent fibroid growth when given as an intramuscular injection. It can suppress your uterine lining as well, which could reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.
While this shot can also prevent unwanted pregnancy, it may give women many things they aren't looking for. Potential side effects include facial and body hair growth, weight gain, bone density loss, blood clotting disorders, bleeding disorders and an increased risk for depression, breast cancer and even HIV.
Other forms of birth control may also involve increased risk. Just a while ago, we revealed that the Mirena IUD leaves some women with anxiety, vision loss, migraines, vision loss and other concerning symptoms. Clearly, you must carefully weigh your birth control options and talk to your doctor before starting a course of medication or receiving any injections or implants.
Here at Houston fibroids, we commit to women's health by helping you find fibroid relief. If you want to discuss your options about birth control with fibroids, we're here to give you guidance. And if you want to explore minimally invasive fibroid treatment, for lasting symptom relief, schedule a consultation today!
Sources: Natural Womanhood, Insider Health
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