How exactly does Birth Control help with PCOS?

DownwardCycle · 03-14-2003, 01:00 PM

My girlfriend is about to start the Birth Control Patch for her PCOS, what exactly does it do for PCOS and how will it help her?

jannie_b · 03-15-2003, 11:04 AM

If you're on an appropriate BCP, it helps by moderating the effects of the excess androgens in your body, that is, by changing the balance of female/male hormones. Many women experience a dramatic improvement in their symptoms on the pill. But it is not a cure.

For me, it dramatically decreased the amount of acne and reduced the facial hair. It also reduces other PMS symptoms, although on Yasmin, my moods during my period are vile. Women will experience different things on different pills, so it may take a bit of experimentation to find the right one.

christyz · 04-09-2003, 08:57 PM

...the pill synthetically balances some hormone levels in the body. But your friend should be aware that if she has trouble cycling on her own now, she will likely struggle with that again once the BCP are discontinued. Fertility is a huge issue for a lot of women after coming off the pill. And while the pill manages the symptoms (hair, periods etc), it doesn't lower the insulin (actually worsens insulin resistance in some cases) levels which lead to spontaneous cycles in the body.

That's why insulin reducing drugs can be very effective. Studies show 70-95% of women develop cycles on their own on met, and that lowering of insulin also reduces weight and some of the other symptoms.

I have used both kinds of drugs, but I prefer the latter for me because it attempts to treat the cause of the amenhorrea (absence of periods) rather than just synthetically causing your body to cycle regardless of it's endocrine abnormalities.

All the best to your friend!