Stopping birth control pills before surgery?

I'm scheduled to have a TVH on September 6 and the nurse said that I could stay on birth control pills up until the surgery to maintain regularity. But I've only got one pack left, and I'm debating whether it's worth it to go and get another prescription just to bridge a few weeks.

Also wondering if it might be better to let my ovaries 'wake up' before the hysterectomy - I'm 35 and haven't had any children, and I've been taking them since my early twenties. The hysterectomy will be for dysmenorrhea - I had surgery last April and the surgeon removed some minimal endometriosis, but didn't think that was the cause of the pain I've been having.

What do you think? Worth extending the prescription, or better to go a few weeks without?

You actually need to ask your surgeon what you should do. There are pros and cons for using birth control before surgery and your surgeon will need to help you determine what is right for you.

In some cases, doctors feel the possible risk of a blood clot is enough to cease the birth control pills even a month before surgery. At other times, going off the pills could cause some bleeding issues that could negatively impact your surgery.

Surgeons generally have specific instructions regarding whether or not you should continue using your birth control pills, and some of it can depend on your diagnosis and history. In some cases, women are told to take them right up until the day before or day of surgery, while at other times a specific time frame is given for when to stop taking the pills.

To find out what is best for you, talk to your .

S

Weiser is right. Ask your doc. I'm 36 and mine wanted me off 2 weeks before surgery because of the clotting concern. Other ladies take them right up until surgery. I would double check just to be on the safe side. Good luck in September!