Ladies Only question-Birth control ?

[disneyfanforever]

I went to my OB/GYN today because I have been having problems with missing periods off and on. I am 37, and my doctor thinks some of my irregular periods are due to having a mild case of polycystic ovarian syndrome. To help get me back in sync, he wants to put me on Yaz birth control for 6 months. I mentioned to him that I had seen this product in the news for causing problems, but he said it was fine and not any riskier than other pills. He also suggested I take a baby aspirin each day to help reduce any risk of blood clots.

Now, I get home and look up Yaz, and I am scared to death. All I see are lawsuits, and horror stories on youtube.

Is anybody else on Yaz, or have good or bad things to say about it? Should I ask for a different type of birth control pill? When I was on birth control pills around 15 years ago, whatever type I was on gave me high blood pressure. My doctor said Yaz was not associated with this due to the low dose of something or other. I have had a tubal so I don't need the birth control aspect of the pill, I just want to get back into a regular rhythm so I will hopefully feel better.

Thanks for listening, and I would appreciate any advice

 

[mrsklamc]

Temporarily putting you on BC is only going to fix your rhythm while you're on BC, not somehow 'shock' your system back into regular rhythm.

I'm not saying you are overweight or have blood sugar issues, but I have PCOS too and they are often related. I am only 'mildly' overweight (not obese) but since when I get to a point where I can I want to try to conceive, they will then try treating my PCOS with metformin which is a diabetic drug. If you've had a tubal and don't need BC maybe it's a treatment option for you? IF you are overweight a 'south beach' type diet has also been recommended to me for trying to overcome PCOS.

 

[My sister's princess]

Personally I would trust my Dr. over youtube any day. There are many risks to ANY birth control pill, including blood clots.

 

[phillmolly]

BC pills will only mask the symptons of PCOS, not cure it or "reset" the system. You need to go see an endocrologist who is experinced with PCOS. Most Dr.s don't understand PCOS and just treat it with BC pills which really do nothing to help. Metformin can usally help treat PCOS. One website that I have found incredibly helpful is soulcysters.com. There is a wonderful message board that has really helped me a lot. I was able to pregnant with the help of that website! But of course nothing replaces an knowledgable Dr. Good luck to you.

PS. I have know I have had PCOS for about 15yrs so if you have any questions PM me.

 

[disneyfanforever]

Thanks for the responses. My doctor is not sure that I have PCOS but feels it is a strong possibility. However, I thought you were supposed to have difficulty getting pregnant if you had PCOS. In my case, I was able to get pregnant the first month we tried for both of my boys. Could I still have PCOS or developed it after I had my last child 8 years ago? Maybe I am just experiencing perimenopausal symptoms (but my dr doesn't think this is it).

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I've been on Yaz a few years now. I am 41, but a non smoker and haven't had alcohol in years. I exercise moderately - okay - honestly I'm a lazy slug, but not overweight.

I have had no problems so far.

But I think you need to see another doctor for PCOS.

 

[ilovejack02]

Thanks for the responses. My doctor is not sure that I have PCOS but feels it is a strong possibility. However, I thought you were supposed to have difficulty getting pregnant if you had PCOS. In my case, I was able to get pregnant the first month we tried for both of my boys. Could I still have PCOS or developed it after I had my last child 8 years ago? Maybe I am just experiencing perimenopausal symptoms (but my dr doesn't think this is it).

I have PCOS.. had no trouble getting prego, with my DS7.
It developed since I have had him. Do what you can to get treatment. Mine got so bad that I had to have a big surgery.. not just Laparoscopy.. had a laparotomy . In hospital for 4 days. I had surgery in March to clear it all up , but of course it came back. Had I been on B.C. It would not come back as quickly or if ever. I was hardheaded and wouldnt take it. My fault for sure, I just was in denial because up until age 35 I never had an issue!
I am now on Lupron to throw myself into menopause , should help to clear it up and clear up the endometriosis that I also have. I will do this for 6 months and if clear I will go on B.C. to keep it at bay.. or try to get pregnant quickly. Dr. explained to me that she could put me on B.C instead of Lupron, but it would not make it go away , just help control the symptoms and hopefully it wouldnt get worse. I need to clear it all up and THEN get on B.C.

 

[SaraJayne]

I also have PCOS (my endocrinologist thinks I've had it since I was a teen), but I don't take any meds for it.

If you're TTC, you should see an endo and they can help you with options that will work for you.

Good luck ~ it can be frustrating dealing with PCOS.

 

[Kimickey]

I'm a former Yaz user. I was recently taken off of Yaz within the past month because how it affected me moods and tempermant. 99.9% of the time I'm very even tempered, happy - go lucky and pretty much an easy going person. However I noticed while on Yaz it made me VERY moody, emotional and just a down right itch with an "b" in front. I spoke to my dr and he put me on Loestrin, which I still haven't started. I'm enjoying my old smiley faced self too much.

Yaz effects each woman differently, you may be fine on it. If however you notice changes immediately stop taking them and go back to see your Dr. to change BC's.

 

[disneyfanforever]

Thanks again for all of the replies. It is so frustrating to not know what to do. I don 't mind not having a period (after all, they are definitely not fun) but I don't want to harm myself or increase my cancer risk by not having a regular period. I have had a tubal so I am not worried about trying to conceive. However, if I go on birth control to regulate my periods, I am worried I am going to drop dead because of blood clot due to the Yaz. I am so confused and stressed. (My Celexa for my anxiety is obviously not kicking in to help me relax in this situation)

For those of you that PCOS but are not on meds, do you just live with the irregular periods or is that not an issue in your cases?

 

[clgwli]

I've been on it for almost 2 years now and have had zero issues with it at all. It's been a far better BCP for me than any others out there.

I would trust my doctor more than I would some online information. I know nothing about PCOS though. I am on it for PMDD and it works great for that.

 

[Mom loves Disney]

I have PCOS.. had no trouble getting prego, with my DS7.
It developed since I have had him. Do what you can to get treatment. Mine got so bad that I had to have a big surgery.. not just Laparoscopy.. had a laparotomy . In hospital for 4 days. I had surgery in March to clear it all up , but of course it came back. Had I been on B.C. It would not come back as quickly or if ever. I was hardheaded and wouldnt take it. My fault for sure, I just was in denial because up until age 35 I never had an issue!
I am now on Lupron to throw myself into menopause , should help to clear it up and clear up the endometriosis that I also have. I will do this for 6 months and if clear I will go on B.C. to keep it at bay.. or try to get pregnant quickly. Dr. explained to me that she could put me on B.C instead of Lupron, but it would not make it go away , just help control the symptoms and hopefully it wouldnt get worse. I need to clear it all up and THEN get on B.C.

I'm glad to hear somone else that is having the same problem. I was going to have surgery several weeks ago but changed my mind due to the scary reports of Lupron. I have had 6 cysts rupture since June. This last one was so bad we had to call an ambulance. Please let me know how you feel. I'm on the B.C. right now and have been for 3 months and praying it works!!!!

 

[ilovejack02]

Thanks again for all of the replies. It is so frustrating to not know what to do. I don 't mind not having a period (after all, they are definitely not fun) but I don't want to harm myself or increase my cancer risk by not having a regular period. I have had a tubal so I am not worried about trying to conceive. However, if I go on birth control to regulate my periods, I am worried I am going to drop dead because of blood clot due to the Yaz. I am so confused and stressed. (My Celexa for my anxiety is obviously not kicking in to help me relax in this situation)

For those of you that PCOS but are not on meds, do you just live with the irregular periods or is that not an issue in your cases?

I lived with irregular periods for prob 3 years, didnt know why and didnt care. Just figured it was a part of aging.
Once I had a cyst rupture and ended up in hospital I cared alot . Also the weight gain of 15 lbs in less than a year even though I watch what I eat and exercise wasnt fun either.

 

[DebbieB]

If the problem is just you are missing periods, I would not take it. Why take the risk? I've never heard that not having a period is harmful. Did he suggest getting a pelvic ultrasound to check your ovaries? I've had irregular bleeding (heavy sometimes) and have had ultrasounds twice, which showed a fibroid. He seems like he is treating the symptoms rather than the cause.

 

[SaraJayne]

Thanks again for all of the replies. It is so frustrating to not know what to do. I don 't mind not having a period (after all, they are definitely not fun) but I don't want to harm myself or increase my cancer risk by not having a regular period. I have had a tubal so I am not worried about trying to conceive. However, if I go on birth control to regulate my periods, I am worried I am going to drop dead because of blood clot due to the Yaz. I am so confused and stressed. (My Celexa for my anxiety is obviously not kicking in to help me relax in this situation)

For those of you that PCOS but are not on meds, do you just live with the irregular periods or is that not an issue in your cases?

I live with them (and I've never complained about it ). And it honestly doesn't bother me. That's how I've always been, so it's my "normal".

Who told you not having a regular period increases your cancer risk? My endo told me that if I have it 3-4 times a year (which I do), I'm fine.

 

[MinnieMe87]

I've been on Yaz for a couple of years now. I haven't had any problems with it, I love it! I have very short periods that are much lighter than they were before I started taking it. My cramps are also very mild compared to what they had been. I noticed a curb in my appetite soon after taking it, and I'm A LOT less moody and grouchy. Good luck, OP, I'm sure it's very frustrating not knowing what to do. I hope you get this figured out!

 

[novajeanjellybean]

I've taken Yasmin and Ocella (Yaz is the lo-dose version of these) for about 5years and I've never had any issues with it. Blod clots are a risk with ANY BC pills. I saw the commercials as well and actually talked to my OB/GYN last week and he reassured me that there was very little to worry about. I would trust your Dr.

 

[klacey1]

I have been taking Yaz for over a year now, and I've never had any side effects.

 

[Callie]

I've been on it for over a year, and haven't had any bad side effects. It's reduced how heavy mine were, along with reduced cramps

 

[Alphabetsoup]

Due to my blood pressure and lousy family history, I am no longer a candidate for BC pills. I also have PCOS with really irregular periods (at least they used to be, I'm off meds again, so we'll see what they do on their own).

Before I had my mirena coil inserted, my gyno had me on provera for 7-10 days a month, when I would stop taking it I would get a period. This kept the lining shedding, without adding in lots of other hormones.

Many women with PCOS are estrogen dominant, so adding a BC pill that acts in ANY way like estrogens is a BAD idea. Estrogen dominance can lead the lining not shedding properly and as it builds up it can have cellular changes and that is when you start getting the risk for endometrial cancers (I found out all this after being dx with pre-cancerous cells...a scary thing when you are 31 and haven't had kids yet).

I'm near your age now (36) and ttc for the first time ever. I'm on metformin and find it doesn't do much for my insulin levels (yup...I've got the full PCOS thing including high cholesterol, insulin resistance, odd hair growth and a high androgen level) but for some reason it works wonders for regulating my period hormones.

That said, I picked up a book on fertility and it explained how insulin and blood sugar hormones are inherently related to the hormones that control menstruation. If some are out of whack, then other hormones aren't made, which then acts like a domino....knocking everything else out of whack as well (the human body is really an amazing thing!).

if you are uncomfortable with the BC pills, I would suggest going to an endo or a gyno and asking for provera for 1 week a month, and/or going on metformin.

Good luck!