Some prescription progestins raise androgen levels. There are three prescription progestins that do not increase androgen levels and are best for PCOS treatment. The combination birth control pills that contain these progestins are Yasmin (drospirenone); Ortho-Cyclen and Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (norgestimate); and Mircette, Desogen, Ortho-Cept, and Cyclessa (desogestrel). There are some others out there that contain these progestins. I have personally been on Ortho-tri cyclen, but I also happen to be bipolar (the most recent study suggests 1 in 4 women who have pcos may have bipolar disorder, without being exposed to valporic acid.) and tri-phasic bcp's are not good for those who have bipolar disorder and made me nuts.
I have also been on Mircette which is also known as Kariva. This was really good no mood swings, no weight gain, no acne, ect... The only problem for me with this one is it does not contain enough estrogen for my uterine lining not to build up. I only get three normal periods a year without bcp's but when I am on this pill it doesn't overide my "normal periods" so I end up bleeding twice a month for three months out of the year.
So my gyn wants me to try seasonique. If you have high androgen levels do not go with seasonique, i am not even sure I want to be on it but I will try for a little while. The progestin is the most active androgen progestin that they put into bcp's. levonorgestrel is the name of that progestin if you want to know what to avoid.
Just my two cents on the bcp's |