I was in a car accident and suffer from herniated disks and arthritis of my spine. As life changing enough as that is when I received the report from my CT Scan they had other news to tell me as well. I have a liver disease. When the doctor explained how serious this could be and that I need to go to a specialist for further examination because I'm too young (22 years old) for this type of problem I became overwhelmed by emotion, but needed to find out all I could on my condition. I looked up everything I could on the disease and came to find that it's most common in over weight people and people who drink excessively. My argument was I know I’m not in the best shape, but I know plenty of people who are far worse about taking care of their health than I am that don’t have this problem; and as I do enjoy having a social drink I don’t drink that often. Little did I know after further research one of the leading contributors to my condition was the birth control pill that I had been taking since I was 16 years old. I had always had a terrible menstrual cycle. My flow was always very heavy and my cramps were so intense that at least once a month it was guaranteed that I would be in bed clenched up in the fetal position wishing the pain away. To help with my unbearable period my doctor had prescribed that I go on the pill to lessen the severity of my monthly visitor, so I did. It worked wonderfully! The pain was not nearly as bad as before and the flow of the blood lightened immensely as well as giving me shorter monthly periods. Unfortunately for me later on this would give me more problems with my health than I could have ever imagined. Sure enough when I read the small print on the inserted leaflet of my birth control prescription it does say that problems of the liver may occur. There is not a cure for the liver disease that I have, but am told that if I change my lifestyle I can stop it from progressing into cirrhosis of the liver which is ultimately what most people die from when they have liver problems. I am taking all necessary precautions at this time to keep the condition from getting worse, and wanted to share my story with all of you so that every woman is aware of all of the possible risks.
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Add a Comment52 Comments
Hi Anon - We're glad this information was helpful for you. Can you let us know the outcome of your CT scan and how you're doing? We wish you all the best. Pat
January 7, 2010 - 6:23pmThis Comment
Hi, Anon,
Your story is startling and I want to thank you so much for writing it here. I cannot imagine how scared and sick you were, especially when your doctor couldn't figure out what was going on.
Had you taken birth control pills in the past, or was the NuvaRing your first experience with hormonal birth control?
Did you consider contacting the company and telling them your experience?
I'm so glad you're better now. And I'm sure you've thanked the friend a thousand times, but thank her or him again for us, OK?
October 22, 2009 - 8:18amThis Comment
Hi,
October 20, 2009 - 7:57pmI know it's not about the pill but about hormone based birth control.
Last year I started taking Nuvaring and maybe a week after first use I started to get sick all the time and my legs started itching really bad. I didnt really think that the Nuvaring could cause it. I went to the doctor and they ran a couple bloodtests and a Liverfunction test on me. My Liver was inflammed and the test was so bad that my doctor didn't know what to do anymore. I can't remember which of them was so bad but the normal is 40-60 and mine was 1200. I lost about 10 lbs within 2 weeks and nobody could explain what could cause that. They checked for Hepatitis (a,b and c) a couple of times but everything came back negative. I had to go to the hospital every second day to get my blood checked. My friend recommended to remove the Nuvaring and my liver went back to normal within a week. When I had my next cycle I had like bloodclots coming out, so bad that I could actually feel it. I was never so scared in my life! I wish you all the best and I hope everything will get better!
This Comment
Hi,
I just wanted to know which pill you were using...? Since a year ... I'm having problem with my liver. When I'm starting my new pact of pills it hurts for a day... So, today I went to change my pill. I had cyclen and now Yaz. I was on cyclen since the age of 17 and I'm now, 23 years old. I'm a bit worry about that right now and afraid to either continue or consult a doctor about my liver. I know i'm really sensitive with fast food and alcool and it's why i'm careful with what I eat. I thank you for sharing your story !
October 19, 2009 - 8:08amThis Comment
Try looking into Andreas Moritz's book "The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse". I just ordered it because I developed high blood pressure on birth control. Hypertension has been related to the liver. I'm going to try it and maybe you all should too ;-)
September 2, 2009 - 11:01amThis Comment
I unfortunately have run into a similar problem. I was admitted to the hospital for a week and a half from the damages cause internally. I also have liver disease due to the combination of not eating as healthy as I should birth control and alcohol. I do not know if I have fully advanced to cirrhosis but it is a possibility I am only 23 years old now and I too was on the same pill since I was 16 for the same reason. So I too understand the danger I am in now for the rest of my life and may possibly need a transplant unless the disease has regressed since the medications I now take and the birth control I do not take. I would like to seconds that warning and inform women to be very cautious.
August 20, 2009 - 9:01pmThis Comment
Hi there,
For the last couple of days I have suspected that my blood tests revealing that I have a "Sensitive Liver" are due to my being on the contriceptive pill from the age of 16. I am now 27 years old. I suffer with terrible nausea all the time. I will be coming off the pill in a few days because I do not want my Liver to suffer anymore then it already has.
I am so sorry for your condition and I just wish that Doctors Prescribing the Pill would warn young girls of the long term side effects (even if they are rare).
Thank you for this post, it has just onfirmed for me what I have been suspecting.
Regards
August 13, 2009 - 4:06pmThis Comment
It sounds like you have been through a lot. We appreciate you taking the time to share your story here so other women can learn from your experience.
For those who want to learn more about the birth control pills and their side effects,
Brown University has a great fact sheet with information from Planned Parenthood about birth control pills that addresses liver issues.
The The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also offers some information.
Diamondbella, you mentioned that you needed to change your lifestyle ... Can you chat more about what changes you've made?
May 23, 2008 - 9:51amThis Comment
I can't believe your story but it makes sense now that i've read it. I too was also on birth control since age 15 and I am now 28. I recently suffered from a viral infected that lead me to having high blood pressure therefore seeking medical attention. During a routine renal ultrasound they found a lesion on my liver. Needless to say further testing reveal multiple lesions of my liver and a catscan showed worse. Here I am today at age 28 about to undergo my first surgical procedure for a liver biopsy since my doctor thinks it's related to birth control use. I can't believe that trying to prevent pregnancy at an early age has brought me to this situation. I hope someone makes all young girls aware of the long term affects of oral contraceptives. Your story has definitely made me see the whole picture more clearly. Thanks for sharing!
June 2, 2012 - 12:46pmThis Comment
I am just reading through everyone's stories. I see that yours is pretty recent. I too am suddenly having issues with my liver. I'm 34 years old and have been on birth control on and off for 15 years. I am a healthy person and lead a healthy lifestyle. About 6 - 8 months ago, I started feeling in intermittent discomfort and a "fullness" in my right upper abdomen. I finally when to a doctor. After 2 ultrasounds, a CT scan, an echocardiogram, and multiple lab tests screening a number of liver abnormalities - the only thing they can say is that I have liver congestion. My internal medicine doc is scratching his head and referring me onto a gastrointerologist for the next step, probably biopsy. I am just wondering what your test showed? Did they determine that it was due to your birth control?? I have stopped taking mine while waiting on more results.
September 27, 2012 - 7:33pmThis Comment