Treatment for thin cysters?

scichai · 03-09-2008, 01:11 PM

Hi ladies,

I wanted to share my lengthy BCP story with some of you and am hoping some of could share your insight, if you have had a similar experience. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 20 (about 5 years ago) -- my periods had been irregular for far too long, and the ultrasound showed the polycystic ovaries, and bloodwork indicated PCOS-level hormones, or whatever terminology they use to diagnose PCOS. No signs of IR however, and bloodwork I have had done recently has not changed. I am normal BMI, very little fat around my waist, most of it around my hips and thighs.

I have been on BCP ever since I was diagnosed 5 years ago. I started with Orthotryclen-lo, then yasmin, then yaz, back to yasmin, and now I'm on Seasonique. I loved Seasonique at the beginning, as I wasn't getting any period (my periods tend to be very painful), but my sex drive has been 0. Same happened with Yasmin. Whenever I switch a pill, or during the placebo week, my sex drive seems to jump up, but then goes right back to nothing when I start getting used to the pills again. I hope all this makes sense, basically I am feeling like BCPs destroy my sex drive, which is starting to create problems between me and my boyfriend, who is already being more than understanding. I also feel like I am super moody on the pills, although I haven't been noticing it so much with Seasonique.

I have been considering going off BCPs for a while now, as I tend to favor a more natural treatment, but every GYN i have seen has been telling me that I should stay on them, as they are helping to manage (mask) the PCOS symptoms. I thought met wasn't an option since I dont' have a weight problem or clear IR, but apparently from what I'm reading here, met can help women with PCOS who are thin with regulating their cycle. I don't know if I"ll be able to find a doctor who will prescribe it for me though.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Have BCPs been affecting any of you in the same way? Anyone have any advice for getting a prescription for met? Is there anyone who is not on any treatment at all? Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Sorry this was so long!

Laura32 · 03-09-2008, 06:42 PM

Yes, I do share your problem. I was on Lo Ovral BCP's, and my sex drive was non existent, which wasn't like me at all, and then I was flipping through a book about women's health at a friend's house, and it actually listed my brand of BCP's by name, under a list of medications that can adversely affect libido. I stayed on them, bc they were the only pill that worked for me; any Ortho brand pill they put me on eventually caused breakthrough bleeding. I did find, however, that if I just went ahead and had sex anyway, even though I totally didn't feel like it, I had fun and enjoyed, so it didn't affect my enjoyment of sex, just my desire to have it. You could try the same thing? I know it sucks not to ever be "horny", though. I'm glad I got off them when I got married! And, I am also a thin cyster, and had no signs of being insulin resistant, and I got prescribed Metformin. If you don't want or can't afford to change doctors, you could print out one of these studies on this site, about Metformin working in thin, non IR women also, and bring it in to your doctor, and tell him/her you strongly wish to try it. Good luck!

Tummy · 03-10-2008, 12:34 AM

I agree about the pill... and since I didn't have any outward issues to control (i.e. hair growth, acne, etc), I ended up going off it and just inducing a period every 3 months with Prometrium (you can also take bcp for a week and then stop to induce a period). As long as you shed your uterine lining about 4 times a year you should be okay, assuming you don't want to be on it for any of the above reasons.

Check around with other docs to see if they're opposed to putting you on Met. I wouldn't recommend getting it without a prescription. Though serious side effects are rare, they are serious and you don't want to be on it without your dr knowing.

relka · 03-10-2008, 04:57 PM

i had irregular periods before going on the pill and i know BCP's definitely helped lessen my pcos symptoms. when i got off the pills forget it, acne, hair growth just terrible. i think if you can tolerate them and find a BCP that works for you, it reallly is the best option. metformin works for some women but it didn't work for me and the s/e are the worst. i really liked yasmin. i could not take low dose estrogen or generic BCP's though. it may be trial and error finding the right BCP's.

rennaba · 03-11-2008, 01:07 AM

I have a blood clotting disorder and my doc still insisted on bcp cuz he said I could get endometrial cancer. I took them 4 -2 weeks then stopped. I read up about natural supplements and started taking womens 1 a day menopausal soy suppliment. I buy it at Wal-Mart. I stated taking that and have had regular periods ever since. 4 months now. I also have been going for walks every day and am trying to eat low carb to control blod sugar.
I ran out last week and bought estroven and I can tell it is not working the same. I am having hot and cold flashes and those strange crampy pains again so my husband is at Walmart right now getting me my regular wmens 1 a day soy.

Laura32 · 03-11-2008, 01:33 AM

Rennaba, how irregular were your periods before you started taking the 1 a day with soy? Just wondered if this is something I should try.