WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for May, 1997: Re: Birth Control Pill Options

Re: Birth Control Pill Options

From: Laurie (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 25 May 1997 08:58:24 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: D.: "Birth Control Pill Options"

At Sat, 24 May 1997, D. wrote: >
>Is there an alternative to either (a) having a ruddy complexion (looks
>like premature skin damage/aging, but isn't) when I take Loestrin, or
>(b) clear skin, but hot flashes, nausea, and an increased appetite (and
>what feels like excessive water retention) with Ortho-tricyclen? Thank
>you for any response you can give.
>
>--
>D. Burns
>

(c) pregnancy! Just kidding, I couldn't resist. You have an interesting constellation of symptoms that don't seem classic by textbook standards. The ruddy skin you describe on LoEstrin is usually due to a reponse to estrogen. The estrogen amount in LoEstrin is lower than the amount in Ortho-tricyclen, so it's confusing that that symptom goes away on the Ortho-tricyclen. Water retention and increased appetite go along with a high potentcy in the progestin part of the Pill, and the progestin in Ortho-tricyclen is one of the newest ones available with supposedly fewer side effects related to progestin, especially progestins derived from androgens (though none of these progestin-related side effects can be eliminated completely).

Hot flashes typically occur in reponse to lack of estrogen, and I'm not sure why you would have those on either pill.

Since your symptoms are atypical, I could only suggest empirically trying a different pill formulation. A monophasic pill (one that doesn't change the hormone concentrations throughout the month) with a different progestin might be a consideration. Good luck.

--
Laurie Lovely, MD
RE fellow, UNC-Chapel Hill

Next message: barbara: "DERMATOLOGY, Catalin Mihai Popescu, MD, Dermatologist, Colentina Hospital, Bucuresti, Joins Women's Health Forum"
Previous message: Laurie: "Re: Hysterectomy & Natural Progesterone"
In reply to: D.: "Birth Control Pill Options"

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