<![CDATA[PCOS Message Board - BCP's]]> http://www.soulcysters.net/ Demulen, Ortho, Diane-35, etc. en Sun, 19 May 2013 17:21:36 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.soulcysters.net/images/misc/rss.png <![CDATA[PCOS Message Board - BCP's]]> http://www.soulcysters.net/ Desogen (Apri) http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347786-Desogen-(Apri)?goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 05:28:26 GMT Hello, I was diagnosed with PCOS 3 years ago, though had symptoms starting as far back as 1998. When I was diagnosed, my family doctor put my on desogen to help with my cycle and some of the symptoms. I was wondering if any of you have been on this, any recommendations for another BCP, or just any other information you care to share. At the moment, that is the only thing I'm taking for the PCOS, though I was on spironolactone for a short period of time. Thanks ]]> magwheels1984 http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347786-Desogen-(Apri) Nexplanon- day 2 and Nizoral shampoo http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347779-Nexplanon-day-2-and-Nizoral-shampoo?goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 22:12:24 GMT I got the nexplanon yesterday. I think I will love it. I haven't had any side effects or anything yet (I know it has only been 2 days), but hopefully when the pain from the insertion goes away it will be worth it!! I also got my doctor to write me an rx for nizoral 2% shampoo. Anyone used it before for hair thinning?
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]]> leannabanana7 http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347779-Nexplanon-day-2-and-Nizoral-shampoo BCP or another type of birth control? http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347778-BCP-or-another-type-of-birth-control?goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 20:38:49 GMT Hi ladies. I hope this is the right subforum for this question, if not, please tell me!

Anyway, I'm 21 and recently diagnosed with PCOS. I've been on the pill for about four years now, so my symptoms are pretty mild (hair growth, acne and recently some weight gain). My weight is in the normal range for my age, but I've noticed some slight weight gain. Anyway, the real issue is that I'm very absent-minded. This means that I forget to take my pill quite often. I'm pretty busy between school full time and work full time. Now, whether I miss them because I'm just an air head or because subconsciously I know I may be infertile, I'm not sure. But either way, I know it's an issue. I'm in a relationship and we have sex multiple times a week, so I know that it's important to have some type of birth control. I'm just not sure which type.

So that's the real question here. I want to be on birth control, but I don't think the pill is the best choice for me just because I keep forgetting to take it. Setting an alarm doesn't really work either (tried it). My main concern about getting off the pill and on something more like an IUD is the lack of hormones. I've read about women gaining a lot of weight really quickly or their symptoms being terrible after they got off the pill and that's not something I want to go through.

Really I'm just here to get other information. I'm going to the doctor soon to talk to her about it, but I just want some other opinions before then (I may be stressing a little bit...or a lot..). What are your thoughts about the pill vs. IUDs or other types of birth control? Are there other hormone pills I could take on top of having an IUD that will counteract the PCOS?


Notes: I am not IR and am not on any medications. My doctor said my numbers were in the normal range except for my testosterone.

 ]]> AprilO http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347778-BCP-or-another-type-of-birth-control The pill - problem - no withdrawal bleed for 3 months? http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347747-The-pill-problem-no-withdrawal-bleed-for-3-months?goto=newpost Wed, 15 May 2013 09:27:43 GMT Hello,

I have been taking the pill for 4 months now. I was previously taking metformin for 2 years but didn't feel it was helping me and in fact was worsening some of my symptoms (worsened acne) and i just didn't feel like it was helping me. Over time i also felt my periods were becoming scanty. they used to be at least 3-5 days but on met it was a mere 1 or half day of bleeding.

now i am on the pill and it has helped me so much, but the only thing that worries me is that i have not had any withdrawal bleed for 3 months in my 'break'. I have been on and off the pill for years, but haven't taken it for a few years now. I'm 25 btw. Basically in the first month i had a lot of breakthrough bleeding and then nothing in the 'break' week and i stopped metformin in my third month.

I am on the 4th 'break' week of the pill, and no withdrawal bleeding. I dont really know why this is happening?

has anybody experienced this? ]]> nellydoodle http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347747-The-pill-problem-no-withdrawal-bleed-for-3-months BCP or no BCP for me? http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347669-BCP-or-no-BCP-for-me?goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 15:04:23 GMT I'm 24 and I get my periods somehow regularly. Only they are weird - they last for 8-12 days, most of which is spotting and the rest is light periods and they get more frequent (cycle of 17-21 days) when my hormones go crazy. I'm thin and non -Ir. I have always wanted a holistic approach to get my PCOS addressed but nothing I have tried seems to work too well. My major issues are hairloss and bacne, there are other issues though but these ones affect me most. I'm tired of trying natural/alternative methods and I'm contemplating trying BCP but I have several questions

>> The last time I tried BCP's (for only one cycle and then gave up to try holistic methods), my boobs remained sore. Does that happen in the initial stage of starting BCP? or do they always stay sore as long as I take BCP's?

>> I have digestive issues and I strongly believe they are related to hormones - I have seen them go better and worse according to my hormones. Will BCP improve, worsen or leave it unaffected?

>> My endo had rx'ed BCP+SPiro. I started BCP first and Spiro some 10 days later. I started shedding more hair a week after starting Spiro. I have read some women experience the same but it improves in a few month. Any thoughts? ]]> soulcyster.indeed http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347669-BCP-or-no-BCP-for-me Need BCP advice please! No refills left - Should I just stop? http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347655-Need-BCP-advice-please!-No-refills-left-Should-I-just-stop?goto=newpost Fri, 10 May 2013 23:22:50 GMT Okay, so I've been on the generic for Loestrin 1/20 since December, and I was never okay with starting to begin with, but I wasn't getting a period and my OBGYN wanted to get my uterine lining up and shedding, which is fine. For starters, I hardly get a period every month while on this anyway. I understand it gives you light periods, but this is basically non-existent.

I was planning on getting off of it when I see an endo for a consultation in July, but I just got the word from the pharmacy that I have no refills left. Since I'm on the 7 day withdrawal period now, should I just continue not being on it? I'm terrified the progress I've made with my nutrition and exercise will go right out of the window. I feel like the BCP is what has been keeping me going and seeing/feeling positive results. Is there a possibility that the diet/exercise approach is outweighing the effects of the BCP and I can be able to manage this on my own? I'm not overweight and I'm not on a crazy special strict diet either. I still eat my grains and other things that a lot of cysters tend to avoid (dairy, gluten, etc.) but I still make good choices and I avoid all of the obvious standard anti-PCOS foods. I feel like the only people who go natural with PCOS treatment go drastic in terms of diet. Is that even necessary? Will I suddenly start piling on pounds and extra symptoms after only 5 months of being on synthetic hormones or am I being ridiculous?

Also, what about my cysts? If I don't get my period monthly, won't the cysts just keep piling on?

If there are any similar scenarios out there, please let me know what you did. ]]> StayAdamant http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347655-Need-BCP-advice-please!-No-refills-left-Should-I-just-stop BC options...advice very much appreciated!! **Esp Microgestin or Camilla??** http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347372-BC-options-advice-very-much-appreciated!!-**Esp-Microgestin-or-Camilla-**?goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:44:27 GMT So I know everyone's experience is different with these and all, but I consider the advice and experiences of other women who've used these birth control methods invaluable. I'm one of those "lucky" cysters who has a very regular cycle and regular period without needing BCPs or other medication; the only reason I ever use BCPs is actually so I don't get pregnant. My past experience with BCPs: I tried Ortho Tri Cyclen when I was 16. It caused terrible weight gain, acne, and mood swings. I went off BC for a few months, then tried Ortho Tri Cyclen lo, which had just as bad side effects as the regular dose pills for me. I was off BC for several years, then around age 25 I tried Yaz. That caused terrible acne and also SEVERE mood swings, I gave up on that after just two months.

So, three months ago, I started Microgestin 1/20. The first two months I thought to myself "Wow, I finally found a BCP I like! It hasn't caused any weight gain, and my acne has cleared up!! Sure I've been experiencing mild mood swings, and some occasional mid-cycle spotting, but this is definitely the BCP for me!!"

But then I started my third month of Microgestin 1/20... I had a totally normal period at the end of month two (which for me is 6 days of moderate-heavy bleeding). But on day 10 of the pills (not even halfway through my pack), I started bleeding again. Not just spotting, GUSHING blood, just as bad as my heaviest period day. That continued for 4 more days, and on the 5th day, I went to see my Dr. (I happened to have an appointment anyway, as I was running out of my Rx and needed more). My doctor insisted that the reason that women have trouble with break-through bleeding on low-dose pills (apparently Microgestin 1/20 is "low dose"), is because the hormone doses aren't high enough for them, and they need a full-dose pill. She recommended that I take the "full dose" Microgestin, Microgestin 1.5/30. She said I should start it right away so the bleeding would go away.

I started the new higher dose Microgestin 3 days ago now. I am still bleeding heavily (8 days in a row WTF?), but over the last 72 hours, since starting it, I have had THE WORST BREAKOUT I've had in years, acne all over my face, AND I've also been having THE WORST MOOD SWINGS ever, I've literally cried every day for the past three days for no reason. I'm pretty frustrated that I thought I had finally found a great BCP for me, only to have this happen. I'm honestly surprised that just an increase in the dose of the exact same hormones could cause such a different reaction in me (I swear the lower dose HELPED my acne, the high dose is making me break out??). Part of me is hoping that maybe if I stick it out it'll get better, but I know that in the past when I've tried to "stick it out" with BCPs the symptoms don't seem to get better (but then again I usually give up around the 2-3 month mark, maybe that's when things turn around?)...

I have two sisters, neither of whom have been diagnosed with PCOS (though I have my suspicions about one of them, the other doesn't have any symptoms of it at all), but they both take a BCP called Camilla and have had great success with it, and recommended it to me. Trouble is, I am on a plan for poor folk like me run by the state that gives free birth control pills, but Camilla is not one that they offer, and I've checked other pharmacies and it's $65/month, which is way out of my budget.

SOOO....I am looking for really any advice that relates to any of the above. Have you tried Camilla? Did it work for you? If so, have there been any other types of BCPs that also worked well for you? Have you ever been on Microgestin (which one, low dose or regular dose)? Have you had any of the issues I described above? Did any of the issues get better (or worse) for you over time? Is there another BCP that you'd recommend for me (if so, why)?

Thank you SOOOO much for any help you can provide!! ]]> Prixton http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347372-BC-options-advice-very-much-appreciated!!-**Esp-Microgestin-or-Camilla-** Study Comparing Effectiveness of 3 Progestins in BCPs http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347278-Study-Comparing-Effectiveness-of-3-Progestins-in-BCPs?goto=newpost Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:04:48 GMT Hi ladies,

Came across this today and found it interesting. When cysters and doctors are considering which birth control pill they should take to manage PCOS symptoms, it is the type of progestin (synthetic progesterone) that should (and needs!) to be considered as some are anti-androgenic, others are pro-androgenic. While every woman's body will react somewhat differently, obviously it is probably best to avoid anything that promotes androgen production when it comes to PCOS. This study compares three different types of progestins...gotta say, I am a bit biased since I am a huge fan of Diane-35, which uses Cyproterone acetate.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...?dopt=Abstract ]]> Shantess http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347278-Study-Comparing-Effectiveness-of-3-Progestins-in-BCPs Gianvi and non-stop bleeding http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347222-Gianvi-and-non-stop-bleeding?goto=newpost Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:52:05 GMT Hey guys. It's been a while since i've been on the board and as i've just started to receive treatment for PCOS again i'm finding myself browsing the forums again. Glad to be back!

So after not having insurance for a couple years and finally getting it again, i'm back at the doctor in hopes of helping some of my symptoms. I met with a new obgyn and she immediately put me on Gianvi, which I have not taken before. I've been on a few others over the years but not for any consistent amount of time due to side effects. At the end of 2009 I was on the Nuva Ring for about a week but was having terrible burning inside and my doctor instructed me to take it out, assuming I was having an allergic reaction. Two days after removing it I began what I thought was my period but it didn't stop for a few days shy of 3 months. I was in doctor's care during and they told me to basically just ride it out and it would eventually stop. It was terrible, it quite literally ruined my life for those 3 months. I was bleeding so heavy most days that I could not leave the house. I had just moved to a new state and lost my job because I just couldn't go without having to leave to change my clothes, etc. It was awful and i've been scared since that it would happen again.

Since then I have only had 2 periods on my own. One about 6 months after that instance and one this past February. I started the Gianvi three weeks ago and 2 days later started bleeding. The doctor told me to expect some bleeding as my body will be "confused" and start to shed lining.
It's only gotten heavier and heavier since I first started taking the pills. I saw my doctor yesterday as a follow-up and told her that it's incredibly heavy, explained how much pain i'm in and asked if this is normal. She said that "normal doesn't apply to a woman with PCOS and we just have to see what happens.", and then told me she wants to me to stay on the pills for a total of 3 months before we decide where to go from there. I told her that I simply can't bleed like this for 2 more months. I can hardly function outside of my home because of the pain and the amount of blood. She said that if it didn't stop in the next month she would instruct me on how to stop my period by taking too many birth control pills. She used the term "Hormone overdose" to describe the effects. She said I would be in a lot of pain, I would vomit for days, etc. This terrifies me. I feel like my only options are to bleed to death or vomit for days. This just doesn't sound normal to me. This doctor came highly recommended and has years of experience with PCOS.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of bleeding with this birth control, or this "hormone overdose" to stop bleeding? I'm at my wits end and I feel like i'm going to break down any day. :( ]]> Sweetly http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php/347222-Gianvi-and-non-stop-bleeding