QuestionI don't know if you can help, but I'm in a quandry. I had a medical abortion nearly 2 weeks ago on Monday. I took all of the antibiotics and other meds they prescribed to me. They also gave me a pack of Yaz birth control. I was supposed to start taking it this past Sunday. I had taken birth control pills for about 10 years of my life and stopped about 2 years ago due to the negative side effects caused by them. I had a complete lack of sex drive, depression issues, PMS issues... I do not want to take any kind of hormone, especially after seeing how long it took my body to get back to normal after stopping them (a full year later). When the doctor that performed the abortion asked what kind of birth control I planned on using, I told him condoms - and that I did NOT want to take any kind of hormones: pills, Mirena IUD, the patch, depo-provera etc. I could tell that he disapproved, as had his nurse who had consulted me before the procedure. I told them the reasons, but it did not seem to make an impact on them. After the procedure, he handed me the pack of Yaz and told me to take them starting the following Sunday so that it would keep me from having a period for a month. I called back a few days later to clarify the reasons that I was supposed to take the birth control pills and the nurse that I spoke to then told me that I needed to take it because it would most likely stop me bleeding and get my hormones back on track. I don't know what to believe, especially since I've gotten 2 separate reasons for why I should take the pills, and I can't find any information one way or another. Any mention of taking bc pills after an abortion refers to the woman taking it because that is what she has chosen as her preferred type of birth control.
I'm scared to take hormones because I went through some really severe mood problems and menstruation issues when I stopped taking birth control pills in the past. I can't find any information on the internet regarding the issue of bc pills after an abortion. I don't know if getting bc pills prescribed is such a standard procedure that people don't even mention it, or if the doctor is simply trying to get me to take the pills without telling me the real reason behind his prescription. From my research, it doesn't sound like there will be any negative consequences if I don't take the pills, but for me there are potentially negative consequences if I do. I would appreciate any insight you can give.
AnswerHi Caitlyn
I have to say I have never, ever heard of a doctor prescribing birth control pills after an abortion unless it is the type of contraception the woman chooses to use.
After an abortion antibiotics are standardly prescribed but nothing else is. As for the nurse telling you it would most likely stop you bleeding that confuses me as after an abortion woman stop bleeding naturally, sometimes it can take a couple weeks but you don't need pills to stop it.
I totally understand why you don't want to use the pill, I am exactly the same- refuse to use it because of side effects. Your doctor should have been more understanding towards you. I tend to agree with you, there shouldnt be any problem not taking them, you took your antibiotics so you should be fine. If you want to use condoms then I don't see a problem with that because when used properly and if they don't break they are highly effective. I guess no contraceptive is 100%.
I hope that I helped a bit, I dont know much about taking the pill after abortion because I have never heard of that before. Good luck and take care, vanessa
