Contraceptive pill and Tumours - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

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Contraceptive pill and Tumours

Solitairebtb profile image
6 Replies

Hi all, had an MRI to check out some

Liver lesions, turns out I have over 6 benign tumours plus cysts on my liver. I'm 47, never really drank alcohol and been in good health. I've been referred to a liver specialist now but curious on people experience with the pill. I've been on it for over 30 years and I've had the same GP for all that time and never once has he suggested that the pill could damage my liver, but now I've researched it it looks like it could well be what has caused this.

Anyone out there that can comment? Thanks

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Solitairebtb
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Melodymermaid888 profile image
Melodymermaid888

Hi I had liver surgery last year

40% of it removed due to liver cysts, like you hardly drank alcohol ( odd glass of wine at Christmas and birthday ) not really a fan. Not overweight and generally healthy, I am 41 and had been on the pill since about 18. My doctor took me off when we found out about the cysts.

A year on and experiencing pain lower down now near ovaries, awaiting results to see if the cysts have spread.

Solitairebtb profile image
Solitairebtb in reply to Melodymermaid888

Hi Melody, hope everything works out ok. 40% sounds like a lot of liver but it is one of the organs that regenerates which is a plus. Hopefully your pain is nothing too serious.

Take care

healdy profile image
healdy

Hi Tamzin I am 48 and like you took the oral contraceptive pill for many years I have 3 benign tumours on my liver too also linked to the combined pill and in my case 2 years of hrt. Lots of tests & hospital appointments all summer to be told they are not changing in any way & as my liver is unaffected there is no immediate treatment necessary. They will call me to have a liver mri scan every 3 months. Hope this helps x Helen

Solitairebtb profile image
Solitairebtb in reply to healdy

Thanks Helen. I think I might be in the same boat, I'm assuming it will be a watch and wait approach. I'll let you know what the specialist thinks. I'm hoping that now being off the pill that maybe things might improve.

healdy profile image
healdy in reply to Solitairebtb

Yes definitely a watch & wait its a fairly new condition as the combined pill only became available late 60s early 70s so it's ladies of our age now showing the side effects of long term use so I think consultants are a still learning about it all themselves. Were your tumours found by accident ? I have had gastritis for 12 months now not 100% sure if it's connected but it was bc of the horrible symptoms of it that I was tested for many things and an ultrasound showed up a spot on my liver. I'm sure stopping taking your pill will help, it's good to chat to s'one else who is going thru the same as you.

Solitairebtb profile image
Solitairebtb in reply to healdy

Hi Helen, mine was picked up due to elevated ALP and GGT levels on a routine blood test. I have a rare blood cancer and they were doing a spleen scan as part of that and did the liver st the same time. That's when they found the lesions and hence wanted an MRI. So I haven't had any symptoms that I'm aware of it was just found by accident.

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