Who Believes Bcp Caused Or Brought On Pcos?

nikkiblue · 05-02-2007, 07:13 PM

I have been a member of this site for a while now and had pcos since I was 20, only because I started taking bcp at 19. I had regular normal cycles till then and did not need bcp except to prevent pregnancy.

I am now almost 32 in month and I beleive now more than ever!!!!!!!!!!! Bcp's brought on pcos , simply becasue I was fine before for so many years.

I have read many articles that state that a change in hormones levels that will suddenly trigger pcos symptoms.

And since poly cystic ovaries are fluid filled sacs of an egg that didn't get released, that's exactly what bcp does, stops ovulation.

So to me it makes since that bcp are one root cause of this maddness. While I also believe we may also be genetically predisposed to it.

Because the chemicals in our bodys are delicate and require a certain balance that will be different for everyone.

I don't think bcp should be pushed on young girls thinking they are being responsible by taking them and causing them selves much greater harm in the long run!!

Anyone agree with my theory that bcp can actually cause pcos or bring it on?

deblynnc · 05-02-2007, 07:31 PM

Not totally bashing your theory, as every one is different, but I was never on BCP's until after being diagnosed. Many cysters don't develop symptoms until they're in their 20's, but mine came on in my teens. AF started at age 13, but never got regular. I had weight problems that began in my pre-teen years, and the beginnings of hirsutism at around age 15. After going a full year without AF when I was 18, I went to a doctor about it. He didn't know what was wrong and sent me to someone at a teaching hospital who finally diagnosed me with PCOS and prescribed BCP's so I would have periods.

I have no medical training (unless you count CPR and First Aid lol), but I suspect that in many cases the BCP's just mask the onset of symptoms for many women. After I started taking the pills, my symptoms went away, until I stopped them to ttc, when they came back. There may be a connection, but my first instinct is probably not, at least not in most cases.

RunnerDuck · 05-02-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkiblue

And since poly cystic ovaries are fluid filled sacs of an egg that didn't get released, that's exactly what bcp does, stops ovulation.

The thing is, BCPs also stop the activity that leads to all those fluid filled sacs. With PCOS our bodies are always trying to ovulate but our hormones are all wrong so they never actually succeed. It's like our ovaries are 3-year-old kids who keep starting new tasks without finishing old ones. Let's work on this follicle now! Hmmmm, no this one. Hey, look at this follicle over here, that one looks nice! No, wait, let's try that one. That's why we don't ovulate. And then all these whacky half-done ovulations hang out producing weird hormones that just make the whole thing one nice vicious circle.

BCPs just tell the body to STOP MAKING FOLLICLES.

There is some argument that the lower dose pills are not strong enough to stop the crazy cyst production of BCPs, but my ovaries, FWIW, have always looked a lot nicer after a cycle or two of pills.

Now there is also some argument that some of the progestins used in BCPs can worse insulin resistance, which is of course a cause of PCOS. It seems to me, though, that this affect wouldn't be lasting unless you had a predisposition to it anyway... and if you did, age, diet, and pregnancy are liable to bring it to a head anyway.

I don't know. I have to say I think most women who go on BCPs "normal" but come off with PCOS probably would have developed it somewhere down the line regardless. The pill just kept the symptoms hidden longer.

I definately had PCOS before going on the pill. I think it got worse all the years I was on the pill, but I think it's because I didn't know what was really wrong and what I should do to work on things.

melissa10383 · 05-02-2007, 08:51 PM

I think for me that bcp could have caused my pcos. I was perfectly normal with my period and everything before taking them.I only took them for 3 years. When i quit taking them no period for 9 months got preg mc then took clomid got preg again had my baby.then i went back on the pill came off again and the same thing no period.So yes for me i think so!!

Binxsmommy · 05-02-2007, 11:19 PM

I have also explored this theroy. It's weird because I always had a "dirty neck" from 11 on and at 14 went on BCP to have a normal period. I think that BCP kind of sealed my fate. But I definitly think some women are predisposed and then a weight gain can help bring everything to a head! Good theroy just hard to prove because of all the variables! Thanks for sharing!

guineapig · 05-09-2007, 01:05 AM

Yes, I think chemical birth control can cause PCOS. I will go to my grave believing depo ("the shot") caused mine. Granted, it's not a "bcp" but it is evil!

Sarah Louise · 05-09-2007, 10:31 AM

I have to say that I think BCP was a factor in the development of PCOS in me, I started periods at the very young age of 9, my periods were quite normal, now and again I wouldn’t see a period of a month but nothing dramatic, when I was 16 I used BCP for the first, I kept using it right up to 21 years old, when I came off the pill I had a periods for the first three months and then nothing, that was when I was diagnosed with PCOS and the rest like they say is history.

To be honest I have never liked the thought of any kind of BCP whether it be the pill, injections etc ... because I didn’t think that there is enough research into the possible repercussions not just in your health as woman, but also in any potential daughters that you may have. Does any one understand what I am on about ??

Ceilidh · 05-09-2007, 08:09 PM

Interesting theory about the BCP.
For me, I was never on the Pill or shot or any birth control and I still got PCOS.

navy_wife_martin · 05-09-2007, 11:00 PM

I don't think so at all. i started BCP BECAUSE i had PCOS. now, they don't cure only cover and i think they can make PCOS worse once you're off of them, but i do not think BCPs CAUSE PCOS. jmo

Future Doc Cyster · 05-10-2007, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah Louise

To be honest I have never liked the thought of any kind of BCP whether it be the pill, injections etc ... because I didn’t think that there is enough research into the possible repercussions not just in your health as woman, but also in any potential daughters that you may have. Does any one understand what I am on about ??

I definitely see where you are coming from, but the truth is, every medication has side effects. Healthcare providers and patients alike are responsible to decide IF and WHEN the benefits of a particular medication outweigh the risks.

Perhaps one of the things I find most frustrating about PCOS in general is that the long term effects on most treatments is unknown. As a medical student, I read anything and everything I can get my hands on regarding PCOS. While advancements are always being made in terms of PCOS research, many things remain in a gray area.

tigir · 05-10-2007, 04:26 AM

While I don't believe they "caused" the whole mess, I know they definately spurred on the process!!! I was on them for a total of three months, gained 30lbs and have never been the same since. The weight climbed from there - everything sort of spiraled for me after coming off of them.

I have had signs of IR since at least age 6 (dirty neck/knees, etc). My diet habits weren't the greatest at 18 and saw a few of those signs get worse, but no dx until I was 28. I had my first DD at 20, decided to get on bcp and after three months and 30lbs decided they were not for me - my AN and HR got worse and worse - of course me not realizing what was happening and my diet not changing wasn't helping, but I don't think things would have gotten so bad so quickly if it hadn't been for the bcp's. It is possible I would have been able to have more DC in that time and would not have gained the weight, etc.

tigerblixt · 05-12-2007, 06:25 PM

While I was just diagnosed last month (after coming off BCP) I've had my symptoms since I was 19-20 yrs. Actually the reason I got on BCP was to regulate my cycles. I also had a little more hair than wanted

So nope, I don't think BCP had anything to do with me getting PCOS

ak82 · 05-15-2007, 03:40 AM

I definitely already had all the PCOS symptoms before going on the pill- that is why I started the pill in the first place. But I do think Diane35 made it worse. It always made me crave sugar; increased my appetite, and made me gain weight. In the long run I'm sure it did something to worse the IR, directly or indirectly.

But I guess it's impossible to say for sure. Because who knows what my symptoms would have been like if I never went on the pill???

AngelaCM · 05-15-2007, 04:13 PM

If we're going to make BCP's the scapegoat lets look more closely. Statistically, has anyone researched the number of women who used it long term and came off to be diagnosed with PCOS versus how many have had normal health after cessation? I know when I started it was to regulate periods around the age of 18. I believe PCOS is something you are predisposed to, and that no medication will have PCOS as a side effect. It's just too broad a scope for me to grasp. I've had many girlfriends who were on the pill then off, had normal lives normal cycles, babies and everything. Why would some react differently to cessation of BCP? I honestly think it's with you and sometimes people don't know it UNTIL having used/stopped BCPs. It merely brings out the beast, it doesn't CAUSE pcos I think it unmasks it perhaps. If we found a medicine to alter DNA like that we'd be on the road to curing cancer and aids.

Siayae · 06-11-2007, 10:49 PM

I was diagnose way before I was ever on the pill.. i was 15 had bad acne along my jaw and was always having irregular periods. It wasnt untill my Dr. gave me the pill untill my acne left and my periods actually came. I do belive depo caused my thinning hair though. my hair had been thick untill then. it never grew in so thick untill tears after i stopped depo. so, no, i think pcos is genetic and the pill may aggrivate or help some people.