Seeking reports of negative birth control experiences

Calling all former birth control users!

The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) has filed a Citizen’s petition to encourage the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) to require more transparent labeling of the risks associated with various forms of birth control on their packaging. They’ve got all the studies, all the arguments and all the proof lined up, but they’re missing one thing: real-life stories! CCL Board Member Michael Manhart, PhD, one of the group who submitted the petition, said it would be good to have “input from people who have suffered negative effects of hormonal contraceptives so the FDA can see that patients are not being fully informed by physicians.”

If you’ve had bad experiences with birth control — particularly involving any of the health issues listed below — your voice can help! Adding your comment to the petition could ensure that future girls and women are fully informed of the risks though their doctors and black box labeling.

The sponsors of the petition are specifically seeking to warn consumers of the following risks and side effects, so experiences related to these health issues are most fervently sought:

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
  • Depression or suicidal thoughts/behaviors
  • Breast cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Device migration
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Urogenital Problems (such as increased UTIs, yeast infections, Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD), low libido, or Interstitial Cystitis)
  • Substantial or uncontrollable weight gain/loss
  • Bone fractures
  • Blood clots (or other cardiovascular events)
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

“Should this petition be acted on by FDA, the result would be new labeling for hormonal contraceptives which will impact direct-to-consumer advertising and likely make some physicians think twice about prescribing these to some patients,” Manhart said. “Pubic outcry will help motivate the FDA to act.”

To comment, simply follow this link and click the “Comment Now” button in the top right hand corner of the age. (The petition itself is a long PDF written for medical professionals. You can read it if you like, but it’s not necessary to comment.)

The petition is open for public comment until early November, 2019, but share your story now so you don’t forget. Women deserve better!

— Forest (Hempen) Barnette
Marketing and Communications Associate