Thread: Anavar and birth control

Originally Posted by HFO3

And that's exactly how we become parents, haha

Already had a talk with the boy about it. Don't need that right now lol.

I understand that. A "surprise baby" is the fastest and most sure way to change the next 18 years of you guys lives, lol.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by kristaleigh

Already had a talk with the boy about it. Don't need that right now lol.

And make sure you have a TV or you'll end up with three at 28 like me! Lol

Originally Posted by tron

And make sure you have a TV or you'll end up with three at 28 like me! Lol

Lol I want to compete for a bit before starting on that

Originally Posted by kristaleigh

Lol I'm an emotional train wreck already

Finally! A honest woman....lol

BC raises estrogen levels. I'd say that would make it counterproductive if you are looking for the full monty out of the var.

Be careful and aware since you are manipulating hormones and causing some inevitable big swings. Especially if you stop one and start another. Much easier said than done on a day to day basis.

Found this on IML...

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/sh...d.php?t=136316

Originally Posted by swinging_away

BC raises estrogen levels. I'd say that would make it counterproductive if you are looking for the full monty out of the var.

Be careful and aware since you are manipulating hormones and causing some inevitable big swings. Especially if you stop one and start another. Much easier said than done on a day to day basis.

BC regulates them for sure. I'm more looking to maintain my mass while I cut. Maybe build a little more but I compete in bikini so if I want to stay in that division I can't get much bigger. And as of right now I plan to stay bikini. I've been natural thus far bc most of the shows by me are tested so it's been a nonissue. Just looking at my options really. Want to be as well informed as possible.

Originally Posted by kristaleigh

Found this on IML...

http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/sh...d.php?t=136316

A great find. Thank you. I forwarded it to my girlfriend. Lets post what we've been talking about since there isn't much out there and we'll have it at BOP for our current and future sisters:



AAS and Birth Control


One of the most common questions asked is about AAS and Birth Control. Women typically experience an interruption of their menstrual cycle while on any sex hormone-manipulating cycle (AAS or “anti-estrogen”). This does NOT mean that you cannot get pregnant. Despite the lack of flow, other typical menstrual sides can be present when “that time of the month” is expected – including bloating, breast sensitivity, moodiness, etc.

There is very little to nothing published on the topic of the interaction of birth control and anabolic androgenic steroids so it is hard to say how they truly interact. For the usual purpose of women using steroids, to cut, it is more than that the effects of birth control and steroids promote opposing results, so the end result is less than completely optimal effects of either. Birth control’s purpose is to regulate estrogen levels. For some this may mean controlling higher levels during a period, or for others this might mean promoting more if they experience irregular periods. This also includes the usual water retention and estrogen-pattern fat depositing around the stomach, hips and thighs areas. While a steroid is trying to promote lean muscle mass, and in some cases, even a ‘fat burning’ effect. Even while the steroid may interrupted the menstrual flow, the birth control will still support prevention of pregnancy.

If a cycle is used for off-season mass-building, the need for staying lean is less of an issue. However for competition cutting, it can be an issue. The trade-off is to continue using birth control, and possibly not get the full effect of the cutting in the stomach / hips / thighs area but still getting the pregnancy prevention, or dropping the birth control, using a back-up birth control method (e.g. condoms) and have less of an impact from the estrogen-pattern fat depositing. Another option for many older competitors is an intra-uterine device (IUD). The copper IUD is completely non-hormonal, or another option such as Mirena, has a low-dose of slow-release progesterone to help address bleeding which can be an issue with the copper IUD. IUDs must be inserted by your OB/GYN and stay in place for up to five years. For this reason, this is only recommended for older women or those who do not intend to have any more children. This is something you need to discuss with your OB/GYN. The cost tends to run around $600 and may or may not be covered by your health insurance.

Another concern that women often with steroid use is recovery of the menstrual cycle. Noting I have yet to see a published study on this, the following paragraphs come with a caveat that this is from anecdotal and observational information and suggested as practical guidance and not a medical verity. If you have lost your period for an unusually long time and are concerned, always consult your OB/GYN.

The menstrual tends to be sensitive to changes in its environment – ranging from stress, to increased physical activity, sudden weight or bodyfat drop, introduction of steroids, or an estrogen manipulator such as a new birth control dose or use of an anti-estrogen. It will tend to turn off flow (and in the extreme, amenorrhea) or have breakthrough bleeding or sporadic periods while it deals with the change in its environment. When things have returned to a state of homeostasis, things will generally return to normal, including the usual monthly flow and the usual side effects of estrogen-pattern bodyfat depositing, water retention, cramps, etc.

To gauge roughly how long it should take for an interrupted menstrual cycle to return, look first at the compound you are using and its detection time. This is far end of the duration the compound is present in your system. It can be up to this long, or to a point where the concentration of the compound has dropped to where the rest of the body is comfortable and ready to turn things back on. And then, keeping in mind that the menstrual cycle works on a 28-day schedule, it will generally want a full month of a stable environment before it may start up again.

If you have concern, always consult your OB/GYN. There are prescriptions that are available to help reintroduce a period.

A last comment is about steroids and pregnancy. Again there are no medical studies available, but general guidance is to allow a good six months after a cycle to clear before attempting to get pregnant. Be sure to work closely with your personal physician if you plan to get pregnant and ensure that all of your basic bloodwork, and everything else is in order. The concern is that the presence of steroid compounds in the female system while a fetus is growing, can affect the sex hormones of the fetus, producing androgenic fetal abnormalities. Some of this mentioned here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_steroid, but all in all, you would want to ensure a steroid-free environment for your child. There are many women who have cycled, who then stopped, cleared out and have had healthy children with no problem. Steroid use will not leave you infertile.
If the father is using steroids when the mother gets pregnant, there is no effect on the fetus itself. The concern for men using steroids is more related to the steroid-driven suppression of natural testosterone production, and in the extreme, infertility. Again, that said, there are many men who have conceived while on cycle with no issue.