What medical conditions would make contraceptives medically necessary?

[GobBluth]

61. Fibroids. Without hormonal BC my 3 kids may not be here

Only recently learned that I have a severe case (without hormonal treatment) of fibroids. When I was 16 I started bleeding for weeks off and on. It made me miss tons of school and I had no energy. Our family doc just put me on BCP, which stopped it.

When I got pregnant with my 3rd child, this history came up (thanks to a new great midwife working with my OB/GYNs). OB/GYN said "Sounds like you have fibroids". I was confused, as I (wrongly) thought that fibroids meant no babies. He just kind of chuckled, more so when he realized I have been on some kind of hormonal birth control for a decade. Ultrasound confirmed a small one. Doctor said, with my previous symptoms, that I probably would have had a somewhat severe case.

After my 3rd (and God Willing my LAST!!!), I was looking at all forms of permanent Birth control. Since my doctors feel I would have severe fibroids (meaning it would affect my quality of living, which it did during my teen years), that they would recommend a hysterectomy (not sure if they meant full or partial), instead of a tubal, or hormonal treatment. I got the Mirena (which took 6 months of pain, but now I LOVE it!!). No long periods, no pain, no major PMS. Also it helps should, if I go insane, I want another baby.

Hormonal Birth Control should be changed to "Hormonal Therapy" as many times this is what it really is, with prevention of pregnancy a side effect.