nipple pain and the pill?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2004
nipple pain and the pill?
1
Fri, 05-14-2004 - 5:33pm
Hi,

This is my first post to the board and I'm hoping you'll be able to shed some light on this situation. Here's my background: I've been on some form of contraceptive (primarily oral) for over 6 years. First, OTC, then Allesse, Yasmin, Lo-Estrin, Ortho-Evra and I am currently taking OTC-lo. Over the past year or so, I've been experiencing pain in my right nipple. It seems to be getting more and more sensitive as time goes on. If my fiance tries to touch me, I wince and jerk away. I haven't had any discharge.

On top of that, during my 3 month trial of Ortho-Evra (about 6 months ago), my breasts swelled painfully and my areolas became severly itchy and dry. I went to the dermatologist about that and was prescribed Locoid Lipocream. That didn't seem to really treat my problem.

So, here I am, one itchy left breast, one painful right nipple. I am due for my yearly exam next month and will be bringing these issues up with my gynecologist. But in the meantime, I thought someone might have some insight.

Thanks so much,

Kerja
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 05-17-2004 - 8:10am
Hi Kerja, thanks for stopping by! What an uncomfortable situation! I'm surprised that you haven't talked to your gynecologist about this already, I certainly would have (I have no tolerance for pain that shouldn't be there). You don't have to wait for your annual to talk about all of your gynecological (breasts too) problems unless your insurance absolutely won't let you see a gyn for any other reason, even if it takes months to schedule an annual, more urgent needs can usually be fit into a schedule sooner. Can you call the doctor's office and see if they can see you sooner (to get this looked at)? I honestly haven't ever heard of either problem before, the itching and pain aren't common side effects of hormonal birth control (breast tenderness and swelling is, though, it seems particularly with Ortho Evra and OTC-related pills).

Good luck, I hope your doctor can help you with a solution!! Let us know how it goes, okay?

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control