Oral Contraceptives

[Jade Divine]

I have a question for any women who are taking birth control.

Does the oral contraceptive effect your MS symptoms or progression?

I recently read that there is enough anecdotal evidence about women going into a "remission" while pregnant to prompt research into this area, i.e., using oral contraceptives to treat MS.

[SNOOPY]

Hi Jade Divine,

I was 24 years old when diagnosed (1985) and I was on Birth Control. I only went off BC to get pregnant. I permanently went off BC in 1991 when I got pregnant with my 2nd child. I had a tubal ligation after the birth.

I never saw any difference in my MS on or off BC.

A few years ago I went on a continuous BC to intentionally stop my periods (non-MS related). Physically I felt great, emotionally not so good., I ended up having depression and being suicidal due to the BC. I stopped taking BC.

It is not uncommon for women with MS as well as those with other health conditions to experience an increase of symptoms before/during ovulation and before/during menses. This is simply due to hormonal fluctuations.