BCP for 13 year old instead of Metformin???

Allison. · 06-03-2007, 04:27 PM

My niece was diagnosed last year with PCOS. She was 12. Doc says her Testosterone is a little high (56) At this point my niece had some facial hair growth, acne and dark skin patches.
The pediatric endocrinologist says Let's wait and see. I'll do some labs in a year, I'll see you then.
We go back a couple of weeks ago (a year later). My niece now has more facial hair, more acne and now weight gain. Her testosterone is at 40. The doctor says that we can put her on BCP. I ask for Metformin.
She said "oh No, I wouldn't prescribe that to her."
I explained to her that I have taken it, without insulin resistance, and it has helped me. She refused to listen.
I was on various BCP for 20+ years, it didn't help me. When my testosterone is above 25 I have increased PCOS symptoms. The doctor wouldn't listen. She just kept saying that she was within normal range. I said that her body is expressing NOT normal range for her body. Anyway we will see another Pediatric Endo soon.
Do you know of any young teens on Metformin?

navy_wife_martin · 06-03-2007, 05:16 PM

I have NO insight on this. But I just wanted to say how lucky your neice is for being diagnosed so young, and even more lucky to have such a WONDERFUL advocate fighting for her..ie. YOU~! you're obviously looking out for her in the long run. I wish so much that they hadn't put me on BCP's at 15 when I was diagnosed and FORCED me to eat healthy and exercise instead. I TRUELY feel that I wouldn't have as many problems as I do now if I hadn't been put on ortho-tricyclen so young. I wish her...and you So much luck.

Tensei · 06-03-2007, 05:44 PM

My 15 year old sister is on Metformin. At 12, the ped endo put her on both met and BCP. My mom was very uncomfortable with putting a young girl with PCOS (already predisposed to reproduction problems) on something like that.

She stayed on the BCP for 2 years because her periods were really out of wack (like, 2 straight months of bleeding), but since last summer, she's on Met only and doing GREAT.

If it were up to me, I'd rather see her go on Met than BCP. Just my 2 cents.

navy_wife_martin · 06-03-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tensei

My 15 year old sister is on Metformin. At 12, the ped endo put her on both met and BCP. My mom was very uncomfortable with putting a young girl with PCOS (already predisposed to reproduction problems) on something like that.

She stayed on the BCP for 2 years because her periods were really out of wack (like, 2 straight months of bleeding), but since last summer, she's on Met only and doing GREAT.

If it were up to me, I'd rather see her go on Met than BCP. Just my 2 cents.

AMEN! i think there needs to be more research on the risks/ long term effects of putting young girls on BCPs. I truely believe that it's why i've been unsuccessful in TTC no matter what we've tried. B/c my level truely aren't that bad, I'm healthier now that i have EVER been but still can't get a period. It's like my body doesn't know how to do it on it's own b/c at the crucial time it was supposed to "learn how" i was just slapped on BCPs and sent on my merry way.

tariana · 06-03-2007, 07:35 PM

I'm one of the few cysters who has really been helped by BCP's and who has noticed minimal positive effects from Met, so I'd have to say give the BCP's a try.

Tensei · 06-03-2007, 07:43 PM

Kati - BCP was HUGELY helpful for me, but I didn't use it until I was 21.

I'm just weary of putting young girls with developing reproductive systems on something that is supposed to hinder the cycles. I feel that something short term is fine, but long term is not so good.

Of course, there are always exceptions. If it's the only thing that works, then it's the only thing that works. I just think it should be a last resort.

navy_wife_martin · 06-03-2007, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tensei

Kati - BCP was HUGELY helpful for me, but I didn't use it until I was 21.

I'm just weary of putting young girls with developing reproductive systems on something that is supposed to hinder the cycles. I feel that something short term is fine, but long term is not so good.

Of course, there are always exceptions. If it's the only thing that works, then it's the only thing that works. I just think it should be a last resort.

Agreed. When I'm actually ON BCP's they're perfect. I mean I have a period it helps my symptoms, etc. But the SECOND you come off them it just all creeps back in. And being thrown on them at such a young age i REALLY think it confused my already confused hormones. Once i'm done TTC i'm sure I will go back on BCPs. but by then I should be in my 30's and not really caring if it affects my fertility like it did when I was put on them at 15.

CrumpledCrystal · 06-04-2007, 11:57 AM

If IR is the underlying condition, then obviously the BCP is just going to mask the problem. Does bcp help with weight gain? If IR is not the underlying condition, then met won't do a thing to help and she will likely need to use bcp, so why not try the met first? She should not have to go through her early teens with facial hair and extra weight just because her testosterone tests "normal."

PJC · 06-05-2007, 10:49 AM

I was told at 13 (in 1986) that I 'probably' have pcos...I wasn't diagnosed officially until I was 29, but I knew I had it. Back then no one ever did any lab tests and the reason I was there in the first place was because I had some serious facial hair issues. I was also told I couldn't get bcp's until I was 16 and I stopped growing. It surprises me that a doctor would put a young girl on bcp, I didn't think it was done. Maybe things have changed in all those years (including the pill itself).

Allygirl · 06-05-2007, 11:28 AM

I've been on bcp since I was 15 (now 39). From what I understand bcp only mask the problem and apparently they make IR worse, so she will gain more weight. I'd take the met.

foreveramanda · 06-06-2007, 10:25 AM

I was put on both met and BCP at the age of 14. I am still on BC just not the pills because those CAN cause high cholesteral (like they did me). BC has done wonders for me but I can't take met it makes me so sick!