just can't take BCPs?

amandas · 01-04-2005, 11:21 AM

Hi, All! I'm beginning to wonder if I just can't take any kind of BCP and I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience. I was on BCPs of different varieties (can't remember all the names, but at least 5 different ones) for 12+ years. I always felt horrible (mood swings, no energy), but no one ever told me that this could be from the BCPs. Then I went off BCPs, got diagnosed with PCOS, did the fertility treatment thing, had twins, and went back on the pill. I was on Yasmin for 3 months and had break-through-bleeding every month (and some moodiness and lack of energy). Went off Yasmin for 2 months so my RE could do labs (which were all normal) and have been on Alesse for 1 month now. I feel horrible on Alesse, too. Moody and tired and acne.

Is it crazy to think that BCPs will just not work for me? I know many of you have tried many different pills...should I keep trying different ones until I find one I like?

The other option my RE gave was to take Provera on days 1-10 each month to bring on a period. So this wouldn't protect against pregnancy, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if I got pregnant. Has anyone done this cyclical Provera instead of BCPs?

I really appreciate any help that anyone can give me...I'm starting to feel like my RE isn't listening and I'm trying to figure out what to do. Thanks, Amanda S.

Chrissy · 01-04-2005, 02:01 PM

I have also taken a variety of pills. It seemed that if I felt good on it the result was that it was bad for my pcos symptoms. Higher androgen pills such as those containing levonorgestrel give lesss side effects from the hormones so even though you feel better, your skin and everything else can potentially get worse. I loved triphasal but my skin didn't (i.e. levonorgestrel) High progestin pills worsen IR and cause fluid retention, tiredness, and hunger. All or these are horrid for those who suffer PCOS. Triphasics are supposedly bad for us but I do fine on them. It is so individual and all the charts and measures in the world cannot predict comfort on them.

That being said, I still take them. My personal favorite is ortho tri cyclen lo.

I would suggest that you ask about prometrium instead of provera. I had multiple side effects while on provera but when I asked to be switched to prometrium I had much improvement. Prometrium is a more natural form of progesterone, less side effects. My sister takes prometrium 4-5 times a year to induce AF and sufferes very little other pcos s/e so that is her choice of treatment. Best of luck!

RunnerDuck · 01-05-2005, 02:53 AM

I have taken...

Ortho-cyclin
Ortho-tricyclin
Ortho-cept
Demulen
Desogen
Yasmin
Allesse
Mircette
Ortho-novum
Ortho-novum-7/7/7
Ovcon35

And have had various intolerable effects from all of them.

Blarg!!!!!

I don't want to think about what I will do when I am done having kids... I LOVE the potential symptom control aspect of BCPs... I just can't find one that agrees with me. I think I may give Ovcon35 another go after I have one more baby. I didn't try it out in the most favorable circumstances... it is supposed to be a good one for PCOS...

Chrissy · 01-05-2005, 12:54 PM

I hear you Runner Duck. In the past 20 years I have tried so many birth control pills. my list is similar to yours. Now that I'm done having children I wish they could just take it all out. Well, not practical or probably a very good idea hormonally but I'm tired of taking the bc pill. It does do a beautiful job on the s/e though. I have just decided that I must medicate somehow, everyting has side effects ups and downs so I'll take this for now. I am hoping that in menapause I can take something a little lighter though. Just wanted to post quickly to let you know you're not alone on the search for the best pill around.