u/zyxwvutabcd

TL;DR: I was wondering if anyone had any experiences with (specifically hormonal) birth control and Hashimoto's disease they could share, since I haven't really seen anyone talk about it before.

Long version: I have Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism, and I'm thinking of getting on a birth control to regulate/completely avoid getting my period. I've always had difficult periods, ever since I first got it. (I'm talking nausea, muscle weakness, joint weakness, hot flashes, dizziness, even fainting. If it's awful, assume I've dealt with it lol). At one point, I went to an OBGYN, and ultimately pursued a different avenue for multiple reasons, one of which being my worry that it would interfere with my already complicated Thyroid issues.

It worked for the most part, but they're still painful and a nuisance, so I was wondering if anyone had any experiences with it. To be clear, I am NOT asking for medical advice--any decision I end up making would be with the help of my doctors. I just feel like there's so much mysticism around thyroid health and medications (if i had a nickel for every time a doctor waved my problems off with "it's just your hormones", as if hormones are pixie dust and not a legitimate and vital part of the body!!) and I was wondering if anyone had any experiences they would feel comfortable sharing.

If it's relevant, I want to clarify that I am thinking of going on birth control purely for reasons surrounding my period. It's not about controlling birth at all, so alternative forms of birth control like contraceptives are not what I'm looking at. Thank you in advance!

grew up in an abusive home. mental, emotional, sometimes physical. mostly by my father, but my mother is a doormat who let it all happen (it’s more complicated than that, but i’m too tired to afford her any more sympathy.) i got kicked out about a month ago, and i just moved back in today because i don’t have any other options. had one conversation and i already know i wont be able to stand this long. i’m already starting to doubt my own memory bc they won’t stop telling me that none of it happened and that im crazy for “making up” their wrongdoings.

i’m a legal adult (finally, thank god) who works, but not enough to live on my own. a studio apartment near me is >$1200, which is about a month’s pay. this would leave nothing for utilities, gas, food, toiletries, etc. i have next to nothing in my savings account bc i had to drain it to pay my tuition (im a college student). it feels crazy to say, but despite how stressful it was, i already miss couch surfing. i was so much happier. i felt so much more free. i didn’t jump every time someone entered a room.

every homeless shelter near me is either geared towards IPV and thus wouldn’t take me, or has a wait list of >1 year. (not to mention everyone who says those places have thrown them out or creeped on them.) i need a car to get to work (there‘s barely any public transportation where i live, and the one thing that does exist doesn’t run early enough), but my parents set the stipulation that i can only use the car if im living with them. i can’t afford my own car (see: previous paragraph). ive already applied for SNAP, as well as the 26-27 FAFSA. i can’t drop out bc most assistance depends on me being a full time student. and anyways, nowhere would hire me full time, bc they’d rather die than give me benefits.

i feel so helpless and stuck. i can’t keep living here, but i can’t be anywhere else.