unusual question

[javana]

hello all - I'm new to the board, but thankful to have found it! I have an unusual question for anyone who has gone off BCP - but NOT to ttc. I have successfully had 2 kids with PCOS - the first was a clomid baby, the 2nd an IVF baby. My OB put me on Necon 1/35 after my daughter was born - nearly 2 years ago. But since then I've had major issues with depression, anxiety, etc... I've tried a few anti-depressants, but the side-effects were bad, and I didn't feel they really helped. I think the BCP may be the cause of some of my anxiety issues. My question, has anyone successfully quit the BCP long-term, and if so, how have you controlled your PCOS symptoms. I'm afraid to go off, when I did years ago to ttc my first, I had the huge weight gain, etc associated with going off BCP. I don't know what is worse, or if there are alternatives out there that I can maybe use long term?

I'm open to any thoughts, suggestions, etc.

Thanks for your input!

[~*Heart*~]

You can quit BCP and successfully manage PCOS without it. There are many different things that can be done...from simple diet and exercise to alternative remedies like herbs, to medications. You just have to find what works for you.

[MarianneUnfaithfull]

I quit Dianette years ago and had a bit of a horror story coming off it with terrible acne and some hair growth etc.
I used agnus castus/vitex and had pretty good results with getting things back to normal regarding my skin and cycle. Not as effective as Dianette (which I eventually went back on) but I was still pretty thrilled with the results. I took this herb for a few years.
You could also try adding other herbs or supplements for example zinc/B-complex/flaxseed/spearmint tea etc. There are plenty of options for you and I think success is possible

[Lisa11]

I used agnus castus/vitex and had pretty good results with getting things back to normal regarding my skin and cycle.

I went off the pill about a month ago and haven't gotten my cycle back. Does Vitex work for that? Is is safe during pregnancy? Also, does it effect labs? I have some labs coming up at the end of the month and I don't want to throw them off if I decide to try Vitex. Where can you get Vitex?

[MarianneUnfaithfull]

I went off the pill about a month ago and haven't gotten my cycle back. Does Vitex work for that? Is is safe during pregnancy? Also, does it effect labs? I have some labs coming up at the end of the month and I don't want to throw them off if I decide to try Vitex. Where can you get Vitex?

I think it might well help you start your cycle again. It worked for me. While I was on it my cycle gradually came down from every 50ish days to 28 days, by a few days a time (if that makes sense).
I don't think it's safe during pregnancy but I'm not certain.
Also, I think it could effect labs. Again, I'm not sure, but it might be better to start it after testing.
It's available in most health shops or possibly chemists. I'm in the uk and I used the Kira one from Boots but I don't know if it's available in other countries. Make sure you try and get a good quality one as, from my own experience, some brands aren't very effective.

[CG834]

Personally, I can't wait to go back on BCP's !!!

I just had a baby 1 month ago. When I stopped BCP's to TTC, everything got out of control !!! I gained about 25 pounds in a few months. And my already existing hair problems got a lot worse.

This was when I was diagnosed with PCOS, I had no idea this syndrome existed.

QUESTION:

When you ladies went back on BCP's, did you lose the weight again? I need to drop 30-40 pounds and I trulu hope going back on BCP's and Metformin do the trick.

[MarianneUnfaithfull]

QUESTION:

When you ladies went back on BCP's, did you lose the weight again? I need to drop 30-40 pounds and I trulu hope going back on BCP's and Metformin do the trick.

Yes. I dropped the weight again when I went back on BCPs.

[Lisa11]

I think it might well help you start your cycle again. It worked for me. While I was on it my cycle gradually came down from every 50ish days to 28 days, by a few days a time (if that makes sense).
I don't think it's safe during pregnancy but I'm not certain.
Also, I think it could effect labs. Again, I'm not sure, but it might be better to start it after testing.
It's available in most health shops or possibly chemists. I'm in the uk and I used the Kira one from Boots but I don't know if it's available in other countries. Make sure you try and get a good quality one as, from my own experience, some brands aren't very effective.

Thanks for the info... Thank goodness I finally got it back! I actually made a pit stop at my local organic grocer and got raspberry leaf tea and dong quai, which I read can help jump start menstration. Low and behold, I got Aunt Flo within 24 hours of taking the tea 3x daily and the dong quai 3x daily.

[MarianneUnfaithfull]

Thanks for the info... Thank goodness I finally got it back! I actually made a pit stop at my local organic grocer and got raspberry leaf tea and dong quai, which I read can help jump start menstration. Low and behold, I got Aunt Flo within 24 hours of taking the tea 3x daily and the dong quai 3x daily.

Wow! Result. Sounds like a good combo of herbs