Choosing a BCP

gowiththeflow · 09-17-2009, 03:27 AM

Hello,
I was diagnosed with PCOS approximately 5 months ago shortly after I turned 18. The doctor prescribed a 1000mg dose of metformin a day, and though it helped regulate my cycle, it often made me feel faint and/or sick so I stopped taking it. Today I went to an OBGYN who suggested I try birth control. The problem is that I have no idea as to which one to choose. After researching on the Internet, I have seen some VERY mixed reviews about Yaz and Yasmin, and though there are many women who are pleased with those BCPs the current lawsuit against them worries me. I was also recommended to find more information on Loestrin 24 Fe. Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions? Thanks!

ria2283 · 09-17-2009, 04:12 AM

I was on Yasmin for about 6 months and I hated it! It gave me night sweats and a lot of between period spotting. Right now I am on the generic version of Loestrin called Microgestin FE 1/20. It is so much better- I have no side effects and the extra iron helps with my anemia. Also the Yasmin cost me $30 every month and the Microgestin only costs $10.

Carolina5070 · 09-17-2009, 10:16 PM

I think each person will react differently to each bcp. I have been on several types of pills in the past, but since being diagnosed w/ PCOS I have been on Yasmin. My endo recommended trying this for a few months and seeing how it worked for me. I did a lot of research, and made the decision to go back on the bcp. There are so many positive and negative reviews of each pill, it is hard to know how your body will react.

For example, the previous poster is on Loestrin and loves it, but that pill was hell for me. I bled for 2 months straight on that pill and my acne got very bad. Each body will react differently.

missmoss · 09-18-2009, 02:53 AM

I just ended a three month stint with Loestrin Fe and it was terrible. I had a lot of androgen-type side effects (sweating, acne) in addition to an almost complete halt in the weight loss I had been seeing on the Metformin. I knew the Loestrin was to blame because once I got to the 'inactive' pills every month I'd drop around 8 pounds and my face would totally clear up.

I recently visited a Reproductive Endo who specializes in PCOS and she highly recommends Yaz for women with our condition. The unique progesterone in Yaz creates an anti-androgen effect and it contains a diruretic to help with the water weight gain.

When I was trying to figure all of this out, I combed the message boards here-- everyone is on a different BCP, and you'll hear opionins all over the place. My advice would be to find a PCOS specialist in your area-- they seem to know worlds more about the unique hormonal conditions you may be facing than your OBGYN does-- that was the case for me, anyway.