Re: Libido, PCO & BCP's
From: jalan (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 26 Dec 2002 17:01:17 -0600 (CST)
Helly:
I'm 37 and have been on bcp since age 18, except for pregnancy and
nursing to control acne, facial hair, and periods. About nine months
ago, I decided to go off the pill since I was having headaches. To my
delight (and my husband's), my libido came back full force!
Sadly, I also gained 10 pounds right away (at 5'6" and 205 lbs. to
begin with, this was not appreciated!) and my mustache and beard started
growing again. It's not that great to be a fat, balding, bearded horny
woman!!
What I also noticed is that I have lots more energy and generally am in
a better mood off the pill. But my periods became irregular again and I
went back on the pill last week b/c I had been bleeding for a month! Now
I'm looking into trying the glucophage xr. I had so much digestive
upset when I tried the drug (not xr) a few years ago that I had written
it off. I also wonder if it helps to take an anti-nausea drug with the
glucophage. Also, I wonder if taking a mini-pill (progestin only) would
work for PCOS symptoms since the estrogen may be what causes the
unwanted side effects, such as low sex drive, headache, fatigue and
depression. Any thoughts?
--
jalan (mom of geneva, 7, clomid baby)
At Sun, 24 Jun 2001, Helly wrote:
>
>Ladies,
>
>I'm new to this server but have some questions and observations. Like
>most of us I would like answers and a miracle cure!
>
>My libido is way down in fact almost non-existant and has been
>decreasing steadily for the last 3 years. (I was diagnosed with PCO 11
>years ago and am 34 now.) I have talked to several ob/gyn and they all
>shrug and say "well what do you expect?". The last Dr. I talked to
>said that unfortunately because most PCO patients control their hormone
>levels with BCP's (I use ortho tricyclen)their libidos are low because
>of the pregnancy mimic. I know lots of women that take BCP's and still
>have an active sex-life so why is it different for us? Why is sex often
>painful for PCO women?
>
>How unhealthy is it not to control the disease with hormones? I was told
>that the risk of uterine cancer is increased by 30%. Is that true? If
>you don't treat with BCP's or other hormonal treatments does the libido
>return?
>
>Has anyone found a homeopathic remedy (Plant hormones??) that seems to
>work? What about diet? I follow the carbohydrate addicts diet and it
>seems to be working for me. No cravings, slow steady weightloss and
>more energy than I've had in years.
>
>Sorry to blast out so many questions, but I never get satisfactory
>answers from the busy overworked ob/gyn's I deal with, and can't afford
>to seek treatment privately. Also most doctors don't seem to feel that
>my case is urgent as I am not seeking fertility treatments ( I don't
>want children).
>
>I look forward to reading your posts. Thanks in advance.
>
>--
>Helly
>
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