Birth Control while on dialysis

[Rain]

What birth control is safe while on dialysis.  I"m currently on the pills but I want to get off even though the doctors didn't say anything, just that I'm approaching transplant and I don't want a risk of blot cloths.

Are there other dialysis patients on the pill on this forum?

Those that aren't what do you use?

[jeannea]

Wish I had better advice for you. I was on the pill after transplant and there was no problem but now on dialysis my periods stopped so I'm not using it. I think if your doctor is ok with it, you should just stay on it.

[rsudock]

My first transplant I was on the pill afterwards and I didn't have any problems. Now with the second transplant no periods so I just use condoms.  I know my current doc team says they don't want me to take BC right after transplant b/c of it's link to high blood pressure and it supposedly makes your blood thicker. I even talked to my surgeon about it and he said "no way" too! They didn't want the kidney to clot off....I don't think I would take it now b/c it is not supposed to be good for people who have cystic livers either (of course you may not have this problem) Hope that helps a bit.....

good luck,
R

[Desert Dancer]

I can't take any hormonal BC whatsoever, so I just had done with it a few years ago and got an IUD. Never have to think about it.

[Annig83]

I am on Implanon, it's a BC implant that sits right below the skin in your arm. It's good for 3 years, and having the surgery is minor.  My OB/GYN did it right in the office.  They numb your arm and place it...I think it took 10 minutes...  It's progesterone only so it doesn't affect blood pressure and it has a lower risk of blood clots.  I had blood clots in my arm after having a PIC Line in (easier to draw blood since I have no veins!!) the hospital when I had my son, and had my PD catheter put in.  Mirena is a vaginal implant that is good for I believe 10 years.  I believe it's just IUD (using iron to kill sperm), but if you haven't had a baby yet (vaginally) the surgery can be a little painful because they have to go through your cervix.

Implanon is great, the only side affect I have is some spotting between periods, but I never have cramps, and my periods are lighter than before.  What's also great is the fact that because it releases Progesterone a little at a time, is that I have fewer mood swings, swelling, etc. and if you have to be on an antibiotic you don't have to worry about it not working, when I was on the pill I always used a form of BC to back it up (guess that didn't work well cause I now have a one year old lol)

Depending on your insurance plan, most cover it for free. 

[jbeany]

I kept my Mirenia IUD in while on D, through my transplant, and multiple surgeries for complications.  Never had a problem.  Comes with the added bonus of reducing fluid volume during that time of the month to almost nothing.  Especially good if heparin on D makes your flow heavier.

[Riki]

Heparin can make your flow heavier?? damn.. it's already making my hair fall out

[carson]

I used Birth control pills for 25 yrs, all the while dealing with my kidney issues. It never affected me negatively. I had to stop taking them this year as I am now taking Tamoxifen for my EPS and they cannot be taken together. I am surprised any docs would consider giving a kidney patient an IUD since they can cause inflammation and infection. At least that's what my OB/GYN told me recently. She did suggest a diaphragm with spermicide though.

[jbeany]

I was told the risks from an IUD aren't high enough to counterbalance the advantages - like not being permanently anemic and not needing several sets of clothes just to get through a single D session.