Re: Dr Sam and BCP's
From: =?iso-8859-2?q?Zalányi Sámuel ?= (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 18 Jan 2002 21:33:40 +0100
Hi Linsey,
I do not know the study you are referring to, but I doubt pill could CAUSE PCOS/PCO (the two are synonims). PCOS is a genetic disease of the insulin receptors. Insulin can't perform its role, therefore it is produced in increasing amounts by the pancreas. The excess insulin is causing the other hormonal troubles: increased LH, LH/FSH ratio and androgens, which in turn produce anovulation. The end of it is infertility, obesity, type2 diabetes, heart disease, endomterial cancer.
As for BCPs: they can block high LH and some of the symptoms, but they return in force once you stop the pill. The other problem is even worse: all BCPs are contraindicated for frank diabetes mellitus. But PCOS is the entrance room to diabetes. Many studies have shown that BCPs deteriorate glucose metabolism and even can precipitate diabetes (as pregnancy can).
Therefor I am against BCPs (perhaps with the exception of Diane and Yasmin) for PCOS.
Hope this helps
Sam
> Dr Sam,
>
> I really hope you can answer this!! I recently took a BCP called
> microgynon,(this was before I was actually diagnosed with PCOS) I only
> stayed on it for 3 months but it made all my symptoms far worse so I stopped
>
> but the symptoms have not gone away (I've been off sick for 3 weeks to
> date).
>
> The main thing that has made me think about this is that I have found a
> recent study about it. The researchers were not looking for PCOS but only
> PCO. The study was that the women were split in 2 groups. The control group
> were not given BCP's and only 12% were found with PCO, the second group were
>
> given BCP's and the figures of those with PCO rose to 40%. The research is
> not conclusive as funding was withdrawn after the first findings but this
> seems to indicate, to me at least, that taking the pill is causing this for
> some people ( I understand that those of us that have the full syndrome may
> already have a predisposition for it). I am not fully versed in all the
> medical terms yet and wondered if you could shed a little light on why the
> pill could cause this. Personally I know that when I have taken hormone
> tablets previously everything has got a lot worse and yet the doctors are
> telling me that that is the only main treatment for PCOS which I think is
> going to make it worse. I do not know if I am insulin resistant yet
> (although I am more than sure I am) but am eager to have the tests and find
> out.
>
> I hope you might be able to explain this to me.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Lynsey
> Xxxx
>
> >From: "lynsey" <lovelylinzie@hotmail.com>
> >Reply-To: pcos-medication@obgyn.net
> >To: Multiple recipients of list PCOS-MEDICATION
> ><pcos-medication@mail.medispecialty.com>
> >Subject: quick question
> >Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 11:06:20 -0600
> >
> >Just a quick question, and I could be on the completly wrong road but, did
> >most of you find your symtoms got worse while on or just stopped taking
> >either birth control pills or injections??? It is just that I found a study
> >giving quite a high percentage (sorry can't remember the figure, memory not
> >up to scratch on these darn painkillers!!) of women on birth control that
> >have PCO but not the symptoms of the entire syndrome. This study is not
> >conclusive as it was not continued long term. What I am wondering I guess,
> >is, does putting these "extra" hormones into us act as a catalyst for this
> >syndrome?? Therefore taking it to regulate our periods could mean we are
> >actually worsening the condition??
> >
> >Also has anyone found that having anesthesia worsens the symptoms as I had
> >an op about 6 months ago (before I knew I had this) and it seemed to make
> >some of my symptoms worse?
> >
> >I would appreciate any ideas you have on this even if it is just to say "no
> >you're wrong!!!!"
> >
> >Thanks for listening,
> >
> >Lynsey
> >Xxx
> >
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