Hello everyone, this is my first post on the board though I've looked at the site a few times
I was diagnosed with PCOS in Summer 2007 and have been on the pill ever since. So it's been two years on the pill, and my period now comes every month (instead of every 2-3 months). I only went on the pill because my OB-GYN suggested it. I was having pains during my past few periods, saw my OB-GYN, got ultrasounds, etc... I asked my OB-GYN when I would be able to stop taking the pill, and she more or less said "Whenever you think you don't need it any more". I thought this was stupid response because 1) I'm not sexually active 2) I did the not request the pills to begin with. Until my most recent ultrasound, I had never had any cysts. The results of the ultrasound showed that I had some cysts that ruptured.
Sorry for long post, but basically, what is the point of me being on birth control if 1) I'm not sexually active and 2) I still got cysts. BC really adds up and I'm starting to think that it's an unnecessary expense. I'm tried looking up info on the internet about stopping my pill, but all I find is PCOS women who are trying to get pregnant. What will happen if I stop taking the pill?
Staying on BCP will help keep your hormones in check and help keep pcos symptoms under control. It will also help regulate your periods. My dr told me when I'm not ttc that i should stay on bcp forever to help with the pcos.
__________________ MARRIED TO BRYAN SINCE MAY 2006 2 STEPSONS 14,13 TTC SINCE MAY 2006 CURRENT MEDS: 2000 MG METFORMIN ER , PRENATE ELITE+IRON, FABB, 4 IUI's= BFN 4/30/09 IVF #1= BFN Next IVF in August/September!!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Yea I tried to have the conversation with my OBGYN and she just made it seem like it was my choice, and there was no medical reason for me to be on BC...even though she's the one who put me on the BC
KatCarney - I'll definitely take a look at those links, thank you
I just had this conversation with my provider. But, every situation is different. I have lost 20 lbs, and I don't really have any PCOS symptoms anymore other than irregular periods. My lab values including cholesterol, triglyerides, bp and blood sugar are all excellent, so there is no reason for me to take any meds other than to ttc or for cosmetic reasons like acne, hair growth/loss etc.
I decided to stop taking bcps due to side effects: appetite increase, headaches, etc. Just weigh your options. It sounds like your doctor is leaving the choice up to you. Good luck with your choice.
Thanks for sharing your experience, MCK.
My main thing is that the same doctor pushed so hard for me to go on the pill and made it seem like it was essential to treat my PCOS. So for her now to just be like "Do whatever you want" is really confusing me.
For now I've decided to stay on the pill for the next month. I haven't ordered my next refills. I have an appt with a PCOS specialist in Philaldephia in early August. I've met with her before and she's amazing and informative, so she'll definitely be able to give me the information I need
I've noticed that OB's are really good at diagnosing PCOS, but they don't know how to treat it. They just cover up the symptoms with BCPs. I found a wonderful nutritionist who knows more about it than the doctors whose specialty should be my ovaries.
I forgot to mention that I started taking the supplement d-chiro-inositol (DCI). It is more expensive that birth control pills, but has definitely helped all my symptoms (skin, appetite and weight) much more than just adding another hormone to the mix. Just thought I would mention it in case you hadn't considered it yet. Many women on here use it to ttc and ovulate, but most women seem to have some success with their other symptoms as well.
It's a difficult one. From my experience, unless you are ttc, you need an alternative plan.
No pill = more effort with diet and fitness, and possibly alternative therapies such as chinese herbs or reflexology...which can also be expensive.
Pill = expense but you kind of know what you're getting exactly with each prescription.
When I tried stopping the pill when my PCOS was really really bad, it made me worse, and I tried a range of more expensive alternatives to correct me. I ended up going back on the pill to stop all the bad effects I was having, including pain, acne, hair etc... but being on the pill didn't and doesn't tend to make things perfect, just more manageable normally.
Kat's links are really helpful and give a lot to consider. I would like to advise you to listen to your body and be brave. It's your body, not your gynae's.
Hello! I think the pill is prescribed to at least somehow help with your symptoms. I could not tolerate taking pills because I would gain so much weight on it. Despite the low dose BCP prescribed by my doctor, I still gained weight I liked the idea of taking pills because it helped regulate my hormones. And I also didn't have pelvic pain and acne while on it. Talk to your doctor about your concerns so that you will arrive at a sound decision. I wish you all the best!
Hey ladies, just wanted to update and say that I saw the PCOS specialist yesterday. I love this doctor! Anyway, I digress.
So I was able to ask her all my questions and clear things up. I'm going to start taking Metformin. She told me not to look at forums, and now I see why! The Metformin forum has scared the ish out of me! But I'm still gonna take it and hope for the best.
Would it be wise to stop taking the pill?? 
I liked the idea of taking pills because it helped regulate my hormones. And I also didn't have pelvic pain and acne while on it. Talk to your doctor about your concerns so that you will arrive at a sound decision. I wish you all the best!
