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Re: BCP and severe PCOS symptoms
From: Rebecca (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 23 May 2002 09:16:26 -0500 (CDT)
Thanks to all that replied. I have been in intense "research" mode in
the last couple of days, so it is SO helpful to have someone give me
some clear-cut answers. I think I am going to lay off the BCP for now,
and stick with the Glucophage and Spiro. My boyfriend is gone for like
6 months on a fellowship (UGGGGHHH), so needless to say, birth control
is not an issue. The weight problem is scarry, as it seems that unless
I am fanatical about diet and exercise I gain uncontrollably. And even
when I am fanatical I never lose, only maintain. Any good solutions?
One poster suggested liposuction, but that's a little scary to me. Any
comments on something I can do?
Thanks again for your comments.
At Wed, 22 May 2002, Sally wrote:
>
>Hi Rebecca,
>
>I don't beleive that hysterectomy is a good option at age 25. And it
>will definitely not cure your PCOS symptoms. Please don't consider that
>yet (or at all).
>
>BCP are quite controversial in PCOS and while they do mask symptoms, it
>is believed that they can make insulin resistance worse which will make
>the overall condition worse in the long run. The antiandrogenic bcp
>like Yasmin and Diane can give good effects in terms of improving skin
>and also may help hair issues and many of us still decide to use these
>becuase the benefits make us feel so much better about ourselves, in
>addition they are convenient contraception. However, if you take Spiro
>you definitely need a reliable form of birth control.
>
>UP to you, but the metformin may actually be your best approach,
>combined with diet and exercise - and maybe the spiro and bcp need not
>be long-term. Other women may comment on this.
>
>Also the BCP will mask whether the metformin is working for you in
>regularising your periods and the other symptoms.
>
>Sounds like you are on the right track with the diet and exercise. You
>have just started on the metformin and that may take a while to have
>effect. Some women lose weight on it quickly, and others only lose
>weight slowly with continuing great effort - but should be easier with
>than without it.
>
>Keep up your efforts and don't give up!
>
>Best wishes
>
>--
>Sally
>
>At Wed, 22 May 2002, Rebecca wrote:
>>
>>I was recently (about a week ago) diagnosed with PCOS (at 25) after
>>having been told for years by my doctor that my symptoms were "normal" I
>>read an article and took it in to ask and he said that was probably what
>>I had. My GYN put me on 1500mg of Glucophage and 200mg of
>>Spironolactone with Orthocyclene for my BCP. I have lost all the hair I
>>want and gaining it all the places I don't want. I am also severly
>>overweight. Despite excercising about an hour a day for 5-6 days a week
>>and low-carb dieting, which I have been doing for a solid year. My
>>question is, for the hirsitism I am reading that I should be on Yasmine
>>BCP, but the side effect is pretty severe weight gain. For weight gain
>>I am not sure, but I am at a kind of critical level now and can't afford
>>to gain anymore
>>I am pretty severly nauseous all day with the medication (never been on
>>any type of long term medication before), but I am willing to put up
>>with it if I'm taking the right things and if this is going to work.
>>What does the BCP do, other than force periods and clear up acne? Is it
>>going to have long term good or bad side effects for this condition? Can
>>anyone help or at least wade through a little of the information? Will I
>>be on all of this medication for the rest of my life???? My doctor also
>>listed a hysterectomy as an alternative. Can this be right????
>
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