Hi!
Does anyone know if taking a birth control pill has any effect on EM, either making it worse or better?
Thank you!
I’m sorry , I have no idea. I have never heard of anyone mentioning this as something that had made any difference either way. I will send this out so more people can see your question and maybe I have never heard of it because it hasn’t been asked before!
Hopefully you can get some better answers.
I don’t find they make a difference. I’ve been on them for about 20 years now. In the past year that I have suffered from EM, I have gotten behind on the pills every once in a while, and I don’t notice any difference in my EM symptoms at those times or during the week of placebo pills or when I restart them.
I started taking BC (lo loestrin fe) a few weeks ago to see if it would help with the facial flushing, but unfortunately I am only getting headaches and no help with the flushing. I am going to stop.
jemma42 said:
I started taking BC (lo loestrin fe) a few weeks ago to see if it would help with the facial flushing, but unfortunately I am only getting headaches and no help with the flushing. I am going to stop.
Hi not directly related But I recently added Cialis ( used for increasing blood flow ) to my one pill of Lyrica and it seems to help me keep it under control I sleep 5 to 6 hour now
Thanks for the replies! I've seen one blog where she said it made the flares worse, one where it improved flares.
So I guess that, like most things in EM, it depends on the person and we just have to try and see what happens.
Thank you again!
I was on bc pills for several years and not on them for several years - can't say it made any difference either way in regards to flushing.
Thank you for your reply, Viking!
I think it makes sense for me to try new medication before considering stopping the bc pill...
Hi Tarsius,
Menopause, pregnancy induced EM fairly well reported. I have also read of the pill causing flare ups- not too common but it happens. Hypertension, hormones implicated so could it be the type of pill you are taking?. Some women have increased flare-ups around ovulation and until menstruation. For some , hormones have a dramatic effect on the heat sensation. Pill can cause circulatory disorders- swelling very common.Saying that I also know of women who have found their Raynauds improves with the pill (vasodilatory properties) Have you considered seeing an endocrinologist ?
Hi Mads,
I see that this can be tricky! I have regular blood pressure; I’ve been taking this specific pill for ~15 years or so - but if the context changes it could start being detrimental now. I will try to notice if the flare ups increase at those times. I don’t think I have Raynaud’s but they are quite cold when not flaring.
I see an endocrinologist but haven’t seen her since the EM diagnosis - good idea, thank you 
This seems very much like trial and error as well!
Bless you !
Biggest hug
x