BC methods

[Persevering]

Is there a particular birth control pill or program recommended for those taking bipolar medications?
I understand that certain medications can make the pill less effective.
Perhaps a combination of methods might be preferable.
Is there a pill or shot that is generally considered effective even while on meds?
Thanks.

[waves]

if there is, i do not know of one. i have received a gyn consultation on this... according to this one doc, none of these "kinds of meds" are suitable for use with Oral Contraceptives. I asked if it was possible to use adjusted hormone dosages to "contrast" the effect of the of the meds and she said it was not something that systematic.

Not only is there concern about OC effectiveness, but if the OC fails, you have to worry about teratogenicity - and all of these meds are.

Any antipsychotic (neuroleptic) - these mess with your hormones...can change your menstrual cycle, ovulation... i had 40 day cycles while on Zyprexa and unpredictable results on Seroquel for instance. Examples:
- risperdal
- zyprexa
- seroquel
- geodon

(let alone the older antipsychotics)

Any AED (Anti Epileptic Drug) examples:
- trileptal
- tegretol
- topamax
- depakote
- (lamictal) i have not read updated info - last i knew studies were in progress

My gyn seemed very generalistic about negging iall possibilities. I would consult another gyn and discuss the specific meds you are on... in the US you may be able to "get somewhere" with blood level testing....

But in general, nowhere have I heard of this being done, and everywhere I have read that it is not recommended or not doable. :(

this is informal info, i am not a health professional.

good luck and check in...

fraid i missed your earlier posts... i am in bad shape and I am only coming through in

~ waves ~

[NuttyBuddy]

I researched Oral Contraceptive, Estrostep, with each med I was taking, I found that it did interfere with Lamictal, not making the birth control not work, but making me metabolize Lamictal faster so it was out of my system faster, in other words, the b/c seems to make the Lamictal metabolize faster, so he upped my dosage, and I have been on b/c for a year now.