Do bcps really make pcos worse in the long run?>>>>>>>>>

Annas · 11-04-2009, 01:03 AM

Seems like I've read stuff like that before. Do you think there is any truth to this?

I went off Yaz almost 2 months ago and have been going the natural route (LOTS of supplements....Inositol, Saw Palmetto, Vitex, B6, Cinnamon, and Borage Oil). I haven't really had acne, BUT my oily skin and scalp have come back with a vengence and I feel so ugly! I think I'm experiencing a tiny bit of hair loss as well.

I'm sooooo tempted to go back on Yaz and think I would in a heartbeat if I knew I wasn't *hurting* myself, kwim? I'm 35 years old and know I can't do bcps forever, but I hate having the yucky pcos symptoms.

thoughts?

Annas · 11-04-2009, 07:55 PM

I just took a look at some of the stickies and am more confused than ever.

One thing is for sure though....I do better on Yaz. My hormones levels are normal, I'm not oily, and I don't lose hair.

februarystar · 11-05-2009, 08:00 AM

Its going to vary from person to person, but for me - the benefits in terms of pregnancy prevention outweigh any negative effects on my PCOS. Exercise especially and also diet have a much bigger impact on my symptoms.

Nikki022103 · 11-07-2009, 07:25 PM

I think it effects everyone differently, but I really think BCP were the start of my problems. I had a norm AF cycle for 5 years prior to BCP (yasmin). No excessive, no acne, no problems maintaining weight, no high cholesterol. I have battles all of these when going on BCP (weight gain-40#s which I have since lost, high cholesterol which I have controlled), and after going off BCP (no ovulation, horrible cystic acne). Obviously, not everyone is effected this way, but I can only speak for myself. I will never go on BCP again.

KMD127 · 11-12-2009, 11:30 AM

Annas,

I think everyone is affected differently by BC and by different BCs. I've been on BC for the better part of 10 years on and off (mostly on)--I'm 27 now and not trying to conceive. I tried going off recently by my skin did not like that nor did my mood. I think I do better on it but like you I've had concerns about BC making things worse. I went to a new gyno who seems knowledgeable and he seems its a good thing to stay on a low dose BC for a while to give the ovaries a rest and stated that it was probably a good thing I was on BC for so long b/c it probably prevented me from gaining a lot more weight and having additional problems. He doesnt seem to think it makes the condition worse and others don't as well; however I've read some literature that suggests it does. I figure it this way-you have to way out the pros and cons for yourself personally--living off the BC with the acne and miserable moods is not good for me so I've decided to go back on and should be back on soon. The only thing you need to worry about is increased risk for stroke/heart attack after 35...that you would have to consult with your Dr over--but if you are in healthy condition and not a smoker it may be just fine.
What I wanted to ask you though, is are you on or have you tried Metformin? I am on that and it has definitely helped and I am going to continue taking it in conjunction with BC b/c BC helps with symptoms but met gets to the root of the problem allegedly. Best of luck to you!

VickiP · 11-15-2009, 09:54 AM

I agree with the above post. Everyone's BCP experience has been so different. I am 28 and just decided to go back on the BCP mainly because I spend soooo much time stressing about whether or not I'm pregnant. I'm worried that I will gain weight because of the studies that show bcps can make IR worse, but I have no idea. I have yet to come across an actual doctor that believes in this but who knows.

I just finished my first month back on demulen and the benefits were great - my period was much much lighter and I had almost zero cramps and my skin looks great. I have been bloated and my boobs hurt a ton the first three weeks but that seems to have subsided quite a bit. I'm not sure if I have actually gained weight or not. I certainly haven't lost anything but I also am I candy-oholic and have been snacking on my roomate's halloween candy basket quite a bit.

From reading all of the stories here, bcps seem to cause symptoms to go one way or the other. I don't really think that they 'cause' PCOS but they seem to have an affect on symptoms.

angel1823 · 11-15-2009, 01:46 PM

Hi annas. Wow, I've never heard that BCPs make PCOS worse. I have been on BCPs close to 5 years now and most of my symptoms have lessened. I cannot imagine not being on them. Before I went on them, my hair was thinning drastically. My hair is still thin but I think it's pretty much remained steady over the last 5 years. My acne was out of control and now it's much much better. I now only occasionally get zits during the week I'm not taking active pills and they're small and not the swollen painful bumps I used to get. Also I rarely got a period before BCPs and now I do almost every month. I don't think I've really seen a decrease in facial hair or oily skin on BCPs but at least some of the symptoms have decreased. I'm planning to go off them next year to try to start conceiving and I am really scared about how my skin and hair are going to react!

But wow, I will have to do some reading about the harm they can cause in the long run.

nj0141672 · 11-18-2009, 03:04 PM

just be careful taking saw palmetto without any other form of contraception. Saw palmetto is basically the all natural ofrm of finestride. They are antiangrogens so if you get pregnant while on it, and your fetus is a male, you can cause some serious birth defects b/c it won't let the testosterone develope in the baby