Question on BCP's.....

jenpalmer71 · 09-22-2005, 02:29 PM

Can someone tell me what exactly "they" say that BCP's do for women with PCOS?? I know this seems like a dumb question but as I sit here trying to decide if I really need to take them, I can't halp but wonder if my choice will be the wrong one. Please note before you answer my question that I have ALWAYS had very regular periods, just like clockwork...never had cramps or anything and my doctor knows this. So what other reason could they be for? Any ideas?

Chrissy · 09-22-2005, 04:11 PM

I think the number one reason many of us take bc pills is to prevent unwanted pregnancy. This they work great for. I personally take them to also regulate my af (sounds like you don't need that) and to keep my free roaming test. levels down so that my skin and excess hair issues "go away"! They do a beautiful job of that for me. I also take them to prevent cysts since I have a terrible time with these when not taking bc pills. The pill prevents cysts from forming by shutting down your ovaries. Lately I have been suffereing from low estrogen, must be the 40's thing since I am entering that phase, so it gives me a little boost in the estrogen as well. When I come off the pills each month I have terrible hot flahses and night sweats, just like after you deliver a baby. I soak my jammies in sweat. So, here are a few of the reasons I take them. If I cycled on my own I'd probably treat the other symptoms with other meds. but I detest Provera and prefer the pill! Hope this helps!

jenpalmer71 · 09-22-2005, 04:19 PM

That helps alot, thank you so much. I have no cysts and no excess hair. It's a wonder I have PCOS, huh? My doctor told me that I was diagnosed ONLY because of hormone level ratios. Whatever that means. I want to TTC soon and I was under the impression that I NEEDED to take BCP's fpr hormone levels. Maybe I am wrong. I ask the doctor and seem to never get an answer that I understand. But thank you Chrissy for the info, it's greatly appreciated.

purplerose · 09-23-2005, 12:22 AM

My doctor prescribed it because I had only three periods a year and it would make me have regular periods. That's another big reason why a lot of us get them, but you don't have that problem. For some women they can also clear up acne, slow or stop growth of excess hair (the hair that you already have won't go away but you might not get new hair growth), or cause weight loss (of course some women gain weight on the pill).

If you are going to start TTC soon, I don't really understand why you need them. Maybe I'm missing something about exactly how they work though.

Chrissy · 09-23-2005, 11:54 AM

When I was younger and in my 20's I had no excess hair either. As you age the effects of elevated test. start to show. I developed dark hair for the first time during pregnancy. It did go away after delivery and treating with bc pills. I have read that once the dark hair begins it is difficult to shut it down as the hair follicles have changed so prevention is a good thing for us as we age.

Good luck ttc. I was very lucky with clomid and had my children using it and progesterone. The bc pill is not helpful if trying to conceive unless you have cysts and need to clear them out. Sounds like you don't so I'd stear clear of them. Best of luck to you!

JenStoutNumber2 · 09-25-2005, 08:44 AM

I too am TTC (well working toward that anyway) and on BCP's. After an ultrasound found cycsts, I decided to go on them for a few months to let my body reset. I had not had af on my own for years before that due to my hormone levels. My Endo put me on Metforin first to see if that would regulate me, but I jumped the gun on the BCPs after the U/S. BCP's do not sound right for you. You are regular, not afflicted by major problems from PCOS, and don't have weight issues. Other things help the hormone levels, and BCP's are only effective while you are taking them.

Hope that also helps,

Jen