PCOS Messages for December, 2002: Re: Anxious about the pill...

Re: Anxious about the pill...

From: jodi (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 1 Dec 2002 13:00:56 -0600 (CST)

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Reply: Janet: "Re: Anxious about the pill..."

First, yes, there are other ways. But before that...

BLINDNESS?????????????????

Can't say I have seen that listed as a side effect. Not saying I don't believe you... just that I haven't seen it!

I have never heard of anyone having gone blind from taking birth control pills. I suppose someone MIGHT argue that BCPs are thought to MAYBE worsen diabetes (this belief seems to be falling out of fashion however) and therefore, could lead to advanced diabetes and blindness... but it is a stretch.

Seriously. There are some weird side effects to birth control pills, but they are very rare. Blood clots, melasma, liver tumors... these effects DO happen, but the chances of you having a seriously life-altering side effect from the pill are very very small. You are far more likely to have an easily reversable one, such as spotting or depresion or migraine or inability to wear contact lenses, or no side effects at all.

Whenever they study a drug, they have to record ALL adverse effects felt by ALL the participants. Some of these effects may really have NOTHING to do with the pill. Ever listen to those drug commercials on TV? They go through that ridiculous list of side effects? One of those medications lists "injury." (I'm serious...)

So, I REALLY wouldn't worry about your birth control pills making you go blind. And I have a pretty poor opinion of birth control pills!

Now, that said, if you want a non-hormonal way to control PCOS, this would be through diet, exercise, and/or insulin altering medications, such as metformin. I would be happy to give you more info... but I don't want to go on forever here.

Let me know if you want more info. :-) You can probably read everything I would say by looking at my November posts... or do an internet search on PCOS metformin... PCOS low carb... things like that.

Hope that helps!

- jodi

At Sat, 30 Nov 2002, Stacy wrote: >
>Hello,
>I was put on the pill, Alesse a low dosage because I have high blood
>pressure, and I have to say I am ecstatic that the facial hair on my
>chin is almost non-existent except for a few hairs that still need to be
>waxed every often. It's also a huge relief to know that I now expect my
>period on a specific day of the month. However, one thing scares me
>about what I read on the leaflet before I started taking it about 4
>months ago - blindness. It said that is possible. How possible is it?
>I often wonder if there are any alternative ways to treat my PCOS
>without having to be on a synthetic hormone. Can you please shed some
>light on my concerns? Thank you!

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