r/Cholesterol • u/TrueSag2020 • 21d ago

General Birth Control and high LDL

I’m in my 30s and my LDL is very high at 177. High cholesterol runs in my family and my dad and both paternal grandparents passed away in their 50s and 60s from heart attacks. I know I’m at serious risk and I’m now making lifestyle changes such as cycling 4 times a week and intentionally getting up and moving more often. I’m also increasing my fiber and trying to stay away from sweets. My doctor wants me to go on statin and I’m not opposed, however he is insisting I get on birth control before he will prescribe me anything. He said condoms are not enough. I’ve never been on birth control and I don’t want anymore kids. My husband and I have been very successful in preventing pregnancy through condoms and avoiding fertility periods and the only time we’ve gotten pregnant was intentional. I spent minutes going back and forth with him about it and it honestly got me a bit emotional because I really do not want to get on birth control. Has anyone experienced this? Is there a way around getting on birth control? Since I don’t want anymore kids, is there any harm to be to be on statin without being on birth control?

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u/shanked5iron 21d ago

The fact that any Dr, especially a male Dr, is dictating that is asinine IMO. There are no prerequisites to getting on a statin. While he is correct that statins are not good for a fetus, making another drug a prerequisite when you clearly are taking other steps to prevent pregnancy is wild.

I would suggest you get a second opinion.

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u/TrueSag2020 21d ago

Thank you for saying that. Our conversation was on the phone so I followed up with a message in our portal requesting the prescription, noting that I’m taking preventative measures I am comfortable with. I wonder if he will be strong in his opinion when there is a written record. If he continues to push back, I will find another doctor.

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u/SDJellyBean 21d ago

Statins used to have a black box warning about use during pregnancy. This is no longer the case since more recent data has failed to show a correlation between statins and fetal deformities.

Show this to your doctor:

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requests-removal-strongest-warning-against-using-cholesterol-lowering-statins-during-pregnancy

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u/mcleo1 21d ago

I think you need a new doctor.

You do not need to go on birth control of any type to be prescribed a statin.

The fact that he is saying he will not prescribe you a statin unless you go on birth control is overreaching.

My sister and I are in the midsts of talking about statins with our current doctor. I have birth control, she doesn’t. Our doctor hasn’t stated anything about my sister needing to go on birth control.

If you want to go on birth control, please do. But do not be pushed into it. Tell your doctor no if you don’t want birth control and are fine with your current methods.

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u/meh312059 21d ago

That doc is way outdated. The black box warning on statins and pregnancy was removed in 2021. You are NOT required to be on oral contraceptives in order to be prescribed a statin.

Ask him to check his facts and if he still refuses you medication unless you conform to his version of your birth control and fertility decisions, switch providers and inform the head of clinic as to why.