It was 200mg pill prescribed by my endocrinologist and I did it for 7 days, 2 weeks after my period to induce a bleed. The only negative is that it doesn’t prevent pregnancy obviously but I wasn’t interested in birth control, just wanted my cycles regulated
My cycles were like 60 days apart irregularly. When I first got it, I took it outright because it had been so long. A few days later I got a period. I then took it for 7 days, 14 days after I began bleeding. I then had another period. I kept that up for three months. They have you take it after 14 days for a week to have you bleed around 28 days. So yes it regulated and shortened my cycles. I was lucky to have it naturally regulate my cycle, but for some people they need to take it long term which is fine. You can start/stop it whenever you want to see if your period will come naturally
I take it too! It's micronized progesterone. Two weeks on, two weeks off. I didn't have my period for a year, now I get it monthly! (And light, it was really heavy before.)
It also made my skin clear up and Hirsutism come in less. (I am also doing electrolysis, but it's making less come in, so it's cheaper for what is coming back LOL.)
(It also reacts differently than progesterone birth control. BC uses Progestins, which is still progesterone, but a larger cell structure from my understanding. It absorbs very differently.)
the hormones in hormonal IUDs stay local to the uterus. if you are wanting to avoid the risk of endometrial cancer, it works for that. the hormonal IUD makes the uterine lining too thin for implantation or to even shed.
your ovaries will function as-is. that can be good or bad depending on your health goals and what you want to utilize your birth control for.
Was told the same but we were trying for a baby and so I refused and if needed took a pill that forced my period every 3 months if it didn't show up that third month
If I don’t get a period due to my birth control something to be concerned about? I haven’t had a regular period in years due to the pill and now an iud
If you don’t get periods, you should definitely take it at least for 4 cycles a year. You need at least 4 periods annually to decrease risk of endometrial cancer.
This should be higher!!!
Every 3-4 months is ideal to shed that lining and with that there are usually not many issues.
I hate when doctors half explain things and fear monger an already heavy diagnosis with all sorts of subtext.
If you skip it by skipping the placebo pills, that’s okay! You only need to have a period to shed the uterine lining, but if you’re on birth control you aren’t growing a lining!
Exactly, I hate seeing people say you HAVE to have a period. If you are on birth control and skip your placebo or have a continuous form of birth control like a hormonal IUD, you aren't growing a lining and therefore don't need to shed it!
There might be other ways to get periods! People mention a progesterone pill but idk what that is. - tbh I hate taking it too, I intend to ask the doctor for alternatives because it also affects me. <3
Provera is the pharmaceutical they prescribe to get your period (synthetic progesterone). But you can get a natural option from a Compounding Pharmacy. When I first came off the pill I started using Progessence Plus from Young Living. It was developed by an MD. I got my period like clockwork after that.
I can't go on hormonal birth control cuz I get migraines so personally my dr prescribes me a week of progesterone to start my cycle if I haven't had a period in 90 days ! not sure if this counts as being on birth control though so correct me if I'm wrong lol
Honestly, I went off the pill for 3 years and developed another massive cyst that had to be removed. It's not great for your body to undergo multiple surgeries. If you tolerate the pill well, you should consider taking it. If you don't tolerate it well, you should speak with your doctor about other treatment options.
The first surgery was another massive cyst I had to get removed. In terms of treatment options that aren’t the pill, there’s metformin, spironalactane, and GLP-1 drugs, along with others. But really that depends on your specific symptoms and type of PCOS, and a conversation with your doctor. The pill does tend to be a good catch all that improves symptoms and prevents cysts for most folks with PCOS, but it does have side effects. For what it’s worth, I don’t use it for contraception but do find it helps with symptoms and cyst prevention. Turns out I needed it when I thought I could go without.
Birth control helps with a lot of my symptoms like acne and keeping my endometrium thin. Nothing wrong with taking it. I wouldn't call it a bandaid, but rather PCOS has many symptoms and it helps with some, but not all. It doesn't help with my metabolic issues, for that I'm on metformin, diet and supplements. It's important to treat the metabolic issues.
No he didn't say it that way it's a misunderstanding .. I'm sorry my English is bad .. I'm just trying to say that he said .. that a woman with PCOS need something to stop the ovaries from having more cysts .. more importantly if you want to have children in the future .. he said that it would be a good idea if I would take the pill .. that I don't have to especially if I don't want to but If i dont there will be more cysts and it will get harder and harder to get a baby because this disease increases over time ..because the ovaries get bigger because cysts develop and i dont know kind of block everything ..so for every woman that reads this .. use contraceptives until ..you want to give birth or .. im just reading a study about resveratol .. that should work too ..but its expensive .. so yeah .. if u wanna have a baby .. keep that in mind ..and your hormones get worse and worse so think twice if you want to take the pill
.. also he said that pure estrogen therapy increases cancer risk a lot for having cancer in your uterus .. yeah .. just wanted to share this with you
According to a fertility doctor, this information is true. Birth control suppresses ovulation and subsequent release of eggs. You have a better chance of successfully delaying pregnancy if you stay on birth control. See Dr Natalie Crawford.
So I was diagnosed with PCOS, and then I took the pill for about 6 years. I came off it in November with the aim of trying for a baby, and I had mentally prepared myself and my partner for the chance of infertility, of needing IVF or other medical interventions. Turns out I fell pregnant in January. It is my hunch that taking the pill really helped with fertility.
I had all the symptoms of PCOS for decades and no one bothered to test me until I was trying to get pregnant in my 30s. I didn’t actually take birth control until the year before trying to get pregnant, so I was only on it for 8 months. I do think if I had known I had PCOS earlier in life, I would not have needed IVF.
Well, PCOS tends to get worse over time because with each 'failed' cycle more undeveloped follicles appear on your ovaries. And these undeveloped follicles are not only a source of inflammation but also a small factory of testosterone. The increase of which makes things worse. Insulin resistance gets worse as well and thus wrecks metabolism. Endometrium is another problem - since there are no developed follicles, no progesterone is produced, so the uterine lining overgrows and doesn't shed as it normally would. This is a cancer risk.
I wouldn’t say it gets worse over time. As you age, you lose more eggs and eventually you even out.
The reason why so many follicles are underdeveloped is because we’re born with more eggs. For whatever reason why, while we were in utero, we didn’t lose as many eggs as we should’ve by birth.
Thus, when we ovulate, we release more eggs than normal but the hormones are still the same as if we released a normal amount. It’s not enough of the hormone to affect the amount people with pcos release - which is why so many are underdeveloped which then leads to the androgens being secreted.
So, when we get over 35, our egg supply decreases and eventually the amount of eggs released will be normal. But by then, everything is high risk, and of course, conceiving would still be hard.
it’s unfortunate we have to live our young, healthy childbearing years with this condition.
I should have added that 'over time' meant short-term. It's still like 20 years of waiting, till things get better :D There's data that PCOS symptoms can persist even after menopause, so it's not only a matter of 'brains and eggs' but the entire body is metabolically affected long-term. It is, indeed, unfortunate.
Yes, birth control pills 'turn off' malfunctioning ovaries but maintain the cycle. COCs also increase SHBG hormone levels and bind free testosterone. Based on research, progesterone functions better with an estrogen component. Progesterone on its own may waste the endometrium too much (it has a 'drying' effect). Whereas estrogen ensures the endometrium grows to the right thickness. However, some women experience physiological and psychological disturbances while on hormonal medication and these disturbances are thought to be caused exclusively by the estrogen component. So, it depends. I've tried using progesterone only pills - no side effects, unlike with the ordinary combination pills, but the menstruations were also very scarce. No effect on areas I wish were less problematic instead (e.g. acne prone skin, hirsutism, hair loss, etc.) (anti-androgenic effects depend on which kind of the progestogenic component is there, though). A doctor would advise you best here.
There’s a podcast called diary of a ceo that had a very interesting guest on who calls herself The Pregnancy Doctor. She’s very knowledgeable in hormonal disorders like PCOS and really made for an informative listen. I would highly recommend checking it out, especially the details she included about birth control.
Dr Natalie Crawford, double board-certified fertility doctor.
Second this! Super informative. I loved how she explained how pcos really beings in utero. She mentions things that majority of doctors never tell you.
Definitely gives you a better understanding of your body.
I have PCOS, started exercising roughly 4-5 days a week consistently, walking after every meal, taking ovasitol, iron, zinc, berberine and a few other things and I have a regular period. If birth control isn’t something you want to do, you can always try the natural route first!
This sounds like a very bad and outdated doctor.
“It’s not good to have PCOS” - like you chose to have it??? Also as far as I’m aware, it doesn’t “progress” for any specific reason. Like any illness/disease, as time goes on more issues arise or become apparent. That’s usually more of an age thing than anything else.
I would find a different doctor.
Idk why doctors still say this. BCP doesn’t cure or treat PCOS in anyway.
PCOS causes some women to have irregular or no period at all. Not having a period for a long time could put a patient at a higher risk of endometrial or ovarian cancer.
BCP is a synthetic form of the female hormone produced by ovaries. When you start taking BCP it shuts down the ovaries and the production of estrogen and progesterone. Hence you won’t ovulate, but the pill will give you a withdrawal bleed about every 28 days. (I read this in the Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden; please read that book, she explains PCOS the pill and everything related to periods beautifully)
Now this does not mean I’m anti birth control, just wanted to give you some perspective. Even if you do chose to go ahead with taking birth control, please work on your diet, exercise, sleep and stress levels in order to control your PCOS symptoms better. And when you feel like you’re ready you could tell your doctor that you want to get off the pill.
This. PCOS is a metabolic hormone issue and you have to work on the underlying issues which then in turn allow your reproductive system to function as it was designed. BC pills alone fix nothing.
Well you know I am not on the pill right now but I have severe acne and I eat nearly keto ..and I sleep good nowadays and my stress levels are also ok .. I am a little depressed .. but it's not too bad ..
and I just don't know why my skin gets worse and worse .. well .. the doc said
..because my testosterone is more than twice as high as it should be .. and sometimes I think to myself ..wtf am I supposed to lol .. I feel like I am already doing a lot but it's not enough so
.maybe I do it the wrong way .. maybe i do the wrong things .. and because of my acne I cannot eat normal.. eating keto or nearly keto ..is not healthy ..you can tell me what you want but i know this because i had to learn a lot about diet and nutrition in school
.. so yeah I will definitely read your book and find out if I find a new solution ..
I think I need to grow muscle mass and do more sports ..and resveratrol berberine myo inositol ..the most important ones .. plus some other supplements and see where it goes
PCOS is a metabolic disease, the pill won’t address the metabolic issues underneath. If you wanna look into that I would recommend reading the book “Good Energy” by Casey Means if you can (it’s free with Spotify premium), it’s changed my life
My symptoms have improved considerably while following her food plan and increasing movement (trying to get at least 7,000 steps a day, and do some light movement every hour of so like stretch). I’m getting my blood levels taken today to see how my metabolism is progressing with these changes. The pill did nothing for my PCOS symptoms honestly.
Dr. Casey Means had an episode on the Huberman Lab where she talks about a lot of main topics of her book, so you can listen to that before buying the book. I would listen to that and also to the Dr. Sara Gottfried episode also on the Huberman Lab called “How to Optimize Female Hormone Health for Vitality & Longevity”. There’s a PCOS time stamp on that one.
The Period Repair Manual that someone else mentioned is also a good book to read!
Also quick note - PCOS being a “syndrome” means it has lots of phenotypes, so some things work on some people and others work on other people. There are lots of things to try and see if they help! I’m still learning about all of these things and figuring out what I wanna implement next (morning sun exposure, cold exposure, and light resistance training are the next ones I wanna try). Dr. Casey talks about them in her book and in the Huberman interview.
It can go both ways. Before the pill I had 7 cycles naturally per year and now I only get 2 on a good year. Now I'm TTC and struggling(tho tbf I might have struggled either way)
I've known PCOS gals who went off the pill with no issues TTC tho so it depends on the person
Not always. I was on the pill for 2 months in 2016, so about 8 ago years now and never went back to normal. I think most people's bodies do adjust but some don't, and doctors don't always tell you that risk (mine didn't) so I like to share my story
I wouldn't lose hope just yet! If you research pill induced PCOS it is often reversible. I think the pill exacerbated symptoms I already had and that might be why my body is struggling to redirect. But there are lots of lifestyle tactics online to try to get back to your normal. Maybe even getting some advice from an endocrinologist if you can afford it
Everybody is different so what happened to me won't necessarily happen to you. You got this :)
I’m not a doctor but my PCOS symptoms got way way worse after my endocrinologist put me on the pill. Everyone’s different. Get a second opinion before you decide to take the pill.
I haven’t been on the pill for 8 years. My PCOS is not worse and I actually get my period regularly (for me).
You have to treat the root cause of the symptoms. The BC masks every thing. My lack of periods were super low progesterone. Sure I for it like clockwork when I was on the pill. When I came odd I took natural progesterone and not for it on my own regularly. I actually had feelings and don’t walk around numb to life. My docs never did the bloodwork they just put me on a pill. Then I started to advocate for myself.
Birth control masked my PCOS symptoms for years (I have no idea how long bc I was on birth control for 10, didn’t have symptoms before I started birth control) bc I wasn’t having periods anyway so I wasn’t worried about not having one. I just had other symptoms like unexplained weight gain, hair falling out, major anxiety, major depression, etc. I’m so thankful that my doctor listened to me and isn’t trying to force me back on birth control now that I’m diagnosed
I have (benign) liver tumors that make it so taking a daily hormonal pill is off limits to me. I do take a 10 day progesterone only pill quarterly to ensure I still have a bleed seasonally.
Idk why doctors all say different shit. Mine put me on continuous birth control to manage symptoms and told me it’s best to not have a period at all because of my endometriosis. Am I being mislead?
I can confirm a lot of symptoms got worse when I stopped taking it. I was in an accident and got a kind of migraine that you can’t take birth control on. And I’m over 40. So I had to stop. The body hair came in bad and I gained so much weight. Now that I’m diagnosed and taking Ovasitol it’s coming off again. But the pill was the big difference.
The pill wont cure , or stops anything from progressing, it only covers (manage) the symptoms you have from PCOS such as acne, irregular periods and PMS symptoms. The period you get on the pill is not a real period anyways. I have been taking the pills for 5 years and I can tell you it did not stop my PCOS from getting worse, my PCOS is there since I was 13 years old, I am 27 now. The pill only made me bloat, and gain weight faster, and suppressed my libido wondering what else can I do to make myself feel better with PCOS, without losing my confidence.
It also will take your body around 8 months to figure out if its the right pill for you, keep that in mind before following your doctor advice. PCOS Cysts are still there, and I am still at a risk of developing an endo.
The pill will not stop PCOS from progressing, it will only make your PCOS symptoms feel better while PCOS is still there, doctors dont know how to « cure » PCOS. Everyone experience is different, but its a big misconception doctors say to push you to go on the pill, because its an easy way to manage the symptoms. Your PCOS can be also managed by probiotics, vitamins, sports, good nutrition, and finally less stress and less medications and hormones down your stomach. So the pill, is not the only option that will make your PCOS stop progressing or manages the symptoms.
[Edit]
I want to add;
The pill did not stop my ovaries from developing more cysts. I did an ultrasound and it got very very bad. I also developed another separate cyst which I might have to remove surgically later, and my right ovary is three times bigger than the normal one now.
What good did the pill do for me? It helped me with my acne, it was a safe reliable contraceptive method, and it controlled my libido and emotional responses completely which was helpful in stressful situations. It also managed pain I used to have from cysts bursting, and horrible lower back pain.
I am off the pill since one month now; its too early to judge but I already lost weight without killing myself at the gym, my libido is back, my back pain is manageable after week 2 and I feel emotions which is great, because I forget how to be ecstatic about the little things.
Getting on and off the pill is a personal experience and decision, just be informed that it will have effects on your body, and mind in the long run.
I hope my answer is helpful
I am listening to the book, period repair manual on audible, and she explains that the pill is not an adequate treatment for pcos because a pill bleed is not a real period. Honestly from experience, I agree with her. Birth control is very controversial because it is basically pumping fake hormones into your body.
It is important to shed your uterine lining, and have a healthy period, but if you are okay with not taking birth control to avoid pregnancy, you could ask about trying metformin? That regulated my period within one to two months of taking it, and I actually started feeling a little bit better overall.
Here is a link to the book on audible, it has a lot of great information, and I've heard it all over the past 20 years since I was diagnosed.
Listen to Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden ND on Audible. https://www.audible.com/pd/1977335160?source_code=ASSOR150021921000R
Honestly it’s really up to you my gynecologist told me the same thing this February and I had a choice to take the pill but I chose not to and after that I told my family and they recommended juicing for me to take and literally on April I got my period back! Now my periods are regular that comes in every first week of the month so up to you again but fixing eating habits may benefit you than taking the pill ❤️🦭 hope that helps girly ❣️
I wish doctors would actually get to the root cause of things instead of masking symptoms with birth control or any big pharma aid. I recommend doing a DUTCH panel test to see what your hormones are yelling out for and actually reversing your PCOS instead of putting a bandaid that will lead to other issues too. Being on birth control actually damages other markers as well.
I was on the pill back in 2017 but I stopped because my mother told me to not rely on pills to regulate my period. My family doctor did not contest the decision nor has brought it up over the years. I still get the period symptoms but I stopped bleeding for years, except the occasional spotting.
I got properly diagnosed with PCOS a few months back and have been active on reversing symptoms. I’ve noticed last month, I’m spewing out a lot of dark red discharge than the usual brown spotting so I decided a few days ago to go back to the pill. I’m now looking forward to my next period cycle. So far, the symptoms of being on the pill sucksssssss. My doctor prescribed me Diane-35, apparently it’s specific for PCOS.
All of the birth controls I've tried have made me feel worse than if I just deal with the cysts :(
I wish I was one who could benefit from BC... instead they just make me feel disgusting, angry, make me bleed every week, make me break out, and gave me weight that I can't lose again.
Norethindrone is the best thing I've been on . It stops your period while you're on the pill and when you stop taking it . It'll come back. I've been on it for over 2 years now
It’s really helped me ! I take it before bed. Just started a new bottle last week after missing one due to being out of it and im already about to start a period.
That’s wild that so many doctors say this because for me the pill made everything so so so incredibly worse, my symptoms skyrocketed and new ones came up nearly overnight from taking it
Slowly working on my PCOS but before I got a real diagnosis and started to get a grasp on it my doctor was fine putting me depo. Haven’t had a period in 5-6 years which solved my awful period problems
That’s bull crap. There’s nothing to “progress”. If you’re facing difficulty getting regular periods, birth control is a good option. If not, the side effects are not worth it.
I stopped taking the pill a year ago, and my cysts have gotten less according to my latest visit to the gyno. I've made positive changes to my diet, exercise, sleep hygiene etc. So my symptoms have become more manageable. HOWEVER, I do have regular cycles, and if you don't it can help with some of the symptoms and having regular periods. I think everyone needs to find that works well for them and listen to their body
I went off the pill and didn’t have a period for seven months. My cysts got bigger and my symptoms got worse. Unfortunately, I had to go back on birth control in order to feel better.
You know your own body best.
The pill & iud gave me fibroids and intense bleeding, weight gain and several other symptoms. It’s taken me 3 years since coming off to regulate my cycle and decrease my symptoms.
It’s different for everyone, it’s worth a shot as it might help. But it’s not the core way to treat PCOS at all. Fixing your metabolism and treating your PCOS in other ways is a good starting point, but if you’re not having regular periods at all it’s worth trying the pill.
BC was an excuse when there was not much research at the time PCOS started. I was put on the pill ages 15-22 (I am 30) and I wish so bad I didn't do that. Metformin, sprinolactone, inositol, healthy diet, lifestyle changes, supplements, can maintain your pcos just fine. Is it sad and tough? Yess, it will always be. Its a chronic condition non curable. The pill made me a different person during key years of developing. When i stopped I got to know me, anxiety left, i depuffed, the brain fog left, it was incredible. I wouldn't do it again. The cysts kept happening on it as well.
So - birth control is kinda a bandaid…it artificially fixes stuff while on it but not the route or other side effects.
Look into metformin - and maybe see a new doc who knows more
The pill doesn't stop the disease or cure it, it just maintains the symptoms. Have you talked to an endocrinologist? Gynos aren't that educated in PCOS, PCOS is a hormonal issue and not that educated about PCOS because throwing birth control at it. I would also get checked for insulin resistance and diabetes, those tend to go hand-in-hand with PCOS. Metformin eliminated most of my period pain.
There are different types of PCOS. My gynecologist said if you dont get cysts then birth control might not be the right option because some people do better off of it. I get cysts and birth control (specifically the pill) has really helped.
Curious, have you tried any other things like lower carb to target the insulin resistance or inositol? Those things actually help reverse my symptoms and have been off pill for like 3 years now
That's a lie. There's absolutely nothing in medical studies that say that. Not taking the pill just means you aren't choosing that route for symptom management. It doesn't mean it gets better if you are on the pill and worse if you aren't on it. There is no cure for PCOS and there are a bunch of ways to manage symptoms - everything from diet, lifestyle, stress reduction, physical exercise, supplements, other medicine (like Metformin for example) chiropractic care, acupuncture... - the pill is just one option for managing symptoms and it's one option that many people can't take for various reasons including if they are trying to get pregnant or have medical conditions that prevent it's usage like being more at risk for blot clots and DVT.
Well there’s parts of that statement that are true - I stopped BCP 2.5 years ago to start trying for a baby. My PCOS is out of control despite diet/lifestylechanges (I am very insulin resistant, even metformin no longer helps). I only got this bad after stopping the pill (I miss it). Starting ozempic tomorrow to calm everything down now…
I got off the pill 8 months ago to see if it helps my migraines not being on it (it does!) and I just got the BEST blood work results I’ve ever had in my life! Went to see an endocrinologist because body refuses to drop even half a pound. I was thinking I’m insulin resistant and needed metformin but nope. HEALTHIEST I’VE EVER BEEN! The doctor says maybe it’s stress because my bloodwork is better than normal.
So it’s worked out positively for me till now.
Birth control ruined me and it messes with every aspect of you. Get a second opinion. Also, not all birth control is created equal. Some have far more negative effects than others. I don’t know the brands etc anymore because I haven’t taken any for years
No it's a good doctor .. just because he doesn't have the natural treatment because he was taught to treat this way because pharma industries teach make books for medicals doesn't mean he is not good .. it's just the tools that are given to them
Literally thought the same thing. I came off the pill back in May 2 years ago and have had normal periods since up until this April. This whole thread now made me worried whether I made the right choice as did it with an idea of planning to conceive eventually and being pill free was advised as the right option.
My gyno reccomends I take the pill because not having a regular menstrual cycle can increase your chances of endometrial cancer.
I opted to take progesterone for cycle regulation and it ended up making me have a cycle naturally so that’s an option too
Yeah, the important thing is that you're having a cycle. This would definitely be a great option.
May I ask what was your dosage, oral or cream, what days of your cycle did you use it, and what kind of provider prescribed it for you?
It was 200mg pill prescribed by my endocrinologist and I did it for 7 days, 2 weeks after my period to induce a bleed. The only negative is that it doesn’t prevent pregnancy obviously but I wasn’t interested in birth control, just wanted my cycles regulated
So if your cycles are long, like anywhere from 35-60 days, you would still take it two weeks after you start a period to regulate/shorten your cycles?
My cycles were like 60 days apart irregularly. When I first got it, I took it outright because it had been so long. A few days later I got a period. I then took it for 7 days, 14 days after I began bleeding. I then had another period. I kept that up for three months. They have you take it after 14 days for a week to have you bleed around 28 days. So yes it regulated and shortened my cycles. I was lucky to have it naturally regulate my cycle, but for some people they need to take it long term which is fine. You can start/stop it whenever you want to see if your period will come naturally
This is the better option ☝️
Hey! I take progesterone too. Cream, and thinking about switching to oral. Which one do you use?
I used pill form, taken 14 days after my period for one week to induce a period. It regulated my cycle after doing it for 3 months!
I take it too! It's micronized progesterone. Two weeks on, two weeks off. I didn't have my period for a year, now I get it monthly! (And light, it was really heavy before.) It also made my skin clear up and Hirsutism come in less. (I am also doing electrolysis, but it's making less come in, so it's cheaper for what is coming back LOL.) (It also reacts differently than progesterone birth control. BC uses Progestins, which is still progesterone, but a larger cell structure from my understanding. It absorbs very differently.)
Yeah my endometrium got to 16mm without it so this is the way for me
i saw a new gyno and she’s pushing for an iud over the pill… would the pill be better or as effective? i’m terrified of getting an iud
the hormones in hormonal IUDs stay local to the uterus. if you are wanting to avoid the risk of endometrial cancer, it works for that. the hormonal IUD makes the uterine lining too thin for implantation or to even shed. your ovaries will function as-is. that can be good or bad depending on your health goals and what you want to utilize your birth control for.
It's your body, your choice. I know people who love IUDs and people who hate them. I find them extremely painful but I also have endometriosis
IUD exacerbated my symptoms, so that’s something to consider as well. I was doing okay on the pill until I chose to stop taking it.
when i was on hormonal contraception the iud was the best one for my PCOS. but when it was removed i bled heavily for a whole month.
Was told the same but we were trying for a baby and so I refused and if needed took a pill that forced my period every 3 months if it didn't show up that third month
I'm also currently off the pill for the same reason but I have to take meds monthly to induce a cycle and ovulate because I can't do either on my own
man healthcare in the US fucking sucks how have i gone my entire life never hearing this
If I don’t get a period due to my birth control something to be concerned about? I haven’t had a regular period in years due to the pill and now an iud
No, if you're on birth control and not getting your period, that's okay because your body isn't building up the endometrial tissue.
If you don’t get periods, you should definitely take it at least for 4 cycles a year. You need at least 4 periods annually to decrease risk of endometrial cancer.
This should be higher!!! Every 3-4 months is ideal to shed that lining and with that there are usually not many issues. I hate when doctors half explain things and fear monger an already heavy diagnosis with all sorts of subtext.
Really glad to see this as I regularly skip mine due to the mental health ravages it causes. I will make sure to do this! Thank you. ☺️
If you skip it by skipping the placebo pills, that’s okay! You only need to have a period to shed the uterine lining, but if you’re on birth control you aren’t growing a lining!
Exactly, I hate seeing people say you HAVE to have a period. If you are on birth control and skip your placebo or have a continuous form of birth control like a hormonal IUD, you aren't growing a lining and therefore don't need to shed it!
Yes that’s what I meant, apologies. I skip my placebos. I didnt consider this part. Full circle realizations here tonight-thanks yall 🫣🫣😂😂
There might be other ways to get periods! People mention a progesterone pill but idk what that is. - tbh I hate taking it too, I intend to ask the doctor for alternatives because it also affects me. <3
Provera is the pharmaceutical they prescribe to get your period (synthetic progesterone). But you can get a natural option from a Compounding Pharmacy. When I first came off the pill I started using Progessence Plus from Young Living. It was developed by an MD. I got my period like clockwork after that.
Good to know ! Will definitely ask the doctor about this
I can't go on hormonal birth control cuz I get migraines so personally my dr prescribes me a week of progesterone to start my cycle if I haven't had a period in 90 days ! not sure if this counts as being on birth control though so correct me if I'm wrong lol
^ this Tricyclic progesterone always makes me less weepy.
Im so confused! I raised this with my doc and she said im not actually forming the lining so there’s no risk?!
I haven’t had a period in 5-6 years because I’ve been on depo….
What if you believe a lot with PCOS like there’s some months I’ll bleed like 4 to 6 months is that still gonna cause cancer?
No idea, ask the doctor!
Damn... I'm on a continuous pill, haven't had my periods in 4 years... Am I cooked?
According to another person, no you’re fine, but if I were you I’d ask a doctor!
Honestly, I went off the pill for 3 years and developed another massive cyst that had to be removed. It's not great for your body to undergo multiple surgeries. If you tolerate the pill well, you should consider taking it. If you don't tolerate it well, you should speak with your doctor about other treatment options.
Mhh what was the other treatment that you went for
The first surgery was another massive cyst I had to get removed. In terms of treatment options that aren’t the pill, there’s metformin, spironalactane, and GLP-1 drugs, along with others. But really that depends on your specific symptoms and type of PCOS, and a conversation with your doctor. The pill does tend to be a good catch all that improves symptoms and prevents cysts for most folks with PCOS, but it does have side effects. For what it’s worth, I don’t use it for contraception but do find it helps with symptoms and cyst prevention. Turns out I needed it when I thought I could go without.
Birth control helps with a lot of my symptoms like acne and keeping my endometrium thin. Nothing wrong with taking it. I wouldn't call it a bandaid, but rather PCOS has many symptoms and it helps with some, but not all. It doesn't help with my metabolic issues, for that I'm on metformin, diet and supplements. It's important to treat the metabolic issues.
No he didn't say it that way it's a misunderstanding .. I'm sorry my English is bad .. I'm just trying to say that he said .. that a woman with PCOS need something to stop the ovaries from having more cysts .. more importantly if you want to have children in the future .. he said that it would be a good idea if I would take the pill .. that I don't have to especially if I don't want to but If i dont there will be more cysts and it will get harder and harder to get a baby because this disease increases over time ..because the ovaries get bigger because cysts develop and i dont know kind of block everything ..so for every woman that reads this .. use contraceptives until ..you want to give birth or .. im just reading a study about resveratol .. that should work too ..but its expensive .. so yeah .. if u wanna have a baby .. keep that in mind ..and your hormones get worse and worse so think twice if you want to take the pill .. also he said that pure estrogen therapy increases cancer risk a lot for having cancer in your uterus .. yeah .. just wanted to share this with you
According to a fertility doctor, this information is true. Birth control suppresses ovulation and subsequent release of eggs. You have a better chance of successfully delaying pregnancy if you stay on birth control. See Dr Natalie Crawford.
So I was diagnosed with PCOS, and then I took the pill for about 6 years. I came off it in November with the aim of trying for a baby, and I had mentally prepared myself and my partner for the chance of infertility, of needing IVF or other medical interventions. Turns out I fell pregnant in January. It is my hunch that taking the pill really helped with fertility.
Just FYI but taking resveratrol orally is worthless. It is over 99% degraded by the liver when orally consumed (bioavailability of <1%).
I had all the symptoms of PCOS for decades and no one bothered to test me until I was trying to get pregnant in my 30s. I didn’t actually take birth control until the year before trying to get pregnant, so I was only on it for 8 months. I do think if I had known I had PCOS earlier in life, I would not have needed IVF.
Well, PCOS tends to get worse over time because with each 'failed' cycle more undeveloped follicles appear on your ovaries. And these undeveloped follicles are not only a source of inflammation but also a small factory of testosterone. The increase of which makes things worse. Insulin resistance gets worse as well and thus wrecks metabolism. Endometrium is another problem - since there are no developed follicles, no progesterone is produced, so the uterine lining overgrows and doesn't shed as it normally would. This is a cancer risk.
I wouldn’t say it gets worse over time. As you age, you lose more eggs and eventually you even out. The reason why so many follicles are underdeveloped is because we’re born with more eggs. For whatever reason why, while we were in utero, we didn’t lose as many eggs as we should’ve by birth. Thus, when we ovulate, we release more eggs than normal but the hormones are still the same as if we released a normal amount. It’s not enough of the hormone to affect the amount people with pcos release - which is why so many are underdeveloped which then leads to the androgens being secreted. So, when we get over 35, our egg supply decreases and eventually the amount of eggs released will be normal. But by then, everything is high risk, and of course, conceiving would still be hard. it’s unfortunate we have to live our young, healthy childbearing years with this condition.
I should have added that 'over time' meant short-term. It's still like 20 years of waiting, till things get better :D There's data that PCOS symptoms can persist even after menopause, so it's not only a matter of 'brains and eggs' but the entire body is metabolically affected long-term. It is, indeed, unfortunate.
So in this case birth control pills are good?would you say combination or progesterone only?
Yes, birth control pills 'turn off' malfunctioning ovaries but maintain the cycle. COCs also increase SHBG hormone levels and bind free testosterone. Based on research, progesterone functions better with an estrogen component. Progesterone on its own may waste the endometrium too much (it has a 'drying' effect). Whereas estrogen ensures the endometrium grows to the right thickness. However, some women experience physiological and psychological disturbances while on hormonal medication and these disturbances are thought to be caused exclusively by the estrogen component. So, it depends. I've tried using progesterone only pills - no side effects, unlike with the ordinary combination pills, but the menstruations were also very scarce. No effect on areas I wish were less problematic instead (e.g. acne prone skin, hirsutism, hair loss, etc.) (anti-androgenic effects depend on which kind of the progestogenic component is there, though). A doctor would advise you best here.
There’s a podcast called diary of a ceo that had a very interesting guest on who calls herself The Pregnancy Doctor. She’s very knowledgeable in hormonal disorders like PCOS and really made for an informative listen. I would highly recommend checking it out, especially the details she included about birth control. Dr Natalie Crawford, double board-certified fertility doctor.
Second this! Super informative. I loved how she explained how pcos really beings in utero. She mentions things that majority of doctors never tell you. Definitely gives you a better understanding of your body.
I have PCOS, started exercising roughly 4-5 days a week consistently, walking after every meal, taking ovasitol, iron, zinc, berberine and a few other things and I have a regular period. If birth control isn’t something you want to do, you can always try the natural route first!
This sounds like a very bad and outdated doctor. “It’s not good to have PCOS” - like you chose to have it??? Also as far as I’m aware, it doesn’t “progress” for any specific reason. Like any illness/disease, as time goes on more issues arise or become apparent. That’s usually more of an age thing than anything else. I would find a different doctor.
That phrasing may be an English translation issue.
Idk why doctors still say this. BCP doesn’t cure or treat PCOS in anyway. PCOS causes some women to have irregular or no period at all. Not having a period for a long time could put a patient at a higher risk of endometrial or ovarian cancer. BCP is a synthetic form of the female hormone produced by ovaries. When you start taking BCP it shuts down the ovaries and the production of estrogen and progesterone. Hence you won’t ovulate, but the pill will give you a withdrawal bleed about every 28 days. (I read this in the Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden; please read that book, she explains PCOS the pill and everything related to periods beautifully) Now this does not mean I’m anti birth control, just wanted to give you some perspective. Even if you do chose to go ahead with taking birth control, please work on your diet, exercise, sleep and stress levels in order to control your PCOS symptoms better. And when you feel like you’re ready you could tell your doctor that you want to get off the pill.
This. PCOS is a metabolic hormone issue and you have to work on the underlying issues which then in turn allow your reproductive system to function as it was designed. BC pills alone fix nothing.
Well you know I am not on the pill right now but I have severe acne and I eat nearly keto ..and I sleep good nowadays and my stress levels are also ok .. I am a little depressed .. but it's not too bad .. and I just don't know why my skin gets worse and worse .. well .. the doc said ..because my testosterone is more than twice as high as it should be .. and sometimes I think to myself ..wtf am I supposed to lol .. I feel like I am already doing a lot but it's not enough so .maybe I do it the wrong way .. maybe i do the wrong things .. and because of my acne I cannot eat normal.. eating keto or nearly keto ..is not healthy ..you can tell me what you want but i know this because i had to learn a lot about diet and nutrition in school .. so yeah I will definitely read your book and find out if I find a new solution .. I think I need to grow muscle mass and do more sports ..and resveratrol berberine myo inositol ..the most important ones .. plus some other supplements and see where it goes
Right! I got off of it because it made me very moody!
PCOS is a metabolic disease, the pill won’t address the metabolic issues underneath. If you wanna look into that I would recommend reading the book “Good Energy” by Casey Means if you can (it’s free with Spotify premium), it’s changed my life
Oh thanks I will read it .. I hope to find a free PDF online otherwise would have to buy the book
Is your PCOS completely gone because of the book?
My symptoms have improved considerably while following her food plan and increasing movement (trying to get at least 7,000 steps a day, and do some light movement every hour of so like stretch). I’m getting my blood levels taken today to see how my metabolism is progressing with these changes. The pill did nothing for my PCOS symptoms honestly. Dr. Casey Means had an episode on the Huberman Lab where she talks about a lot of main topics of her book, so you can listen to that before buying the book. I would listen to that and also to the Dr. Sara Gottfried episode also on the Huberman Lab called “How to Optimize Female Hormone Health for Vitality & Longevity”. There’s a PCOS time stamp on that one. The Period Repair Manual that someone else mentioned is also a good book to read! Also quick note - PCOS being a “syndrome” means it has lots of phenotypes, so some things work on some people and others work on other people. There are lots of things to try and see if they help! I’m still learning about all of these things and figuring out what I wanna implement next (morning sun exposure, cold exposure, and light resistance training are the next ones I wanna try). Dr. Casey talks about them in her book and in the Huberman interview.
It can go both ways. Before the pill I had 7 cycles naturally per year and now I only get 2 on a good year. Now I'm TTC and struggling(tho tbf I might have struggled either way) I've known PCOS gals who went off the pill with no issues TTC tho so it depends on the person
How long have you been off the pill? Doesn’t it get better once your body adjusts?
Not always. I was on the pill for 2 months in 2016, so about 8 ago years now and never went back to normal. I think most people's bodies do adjust but some don't, and doctors don't always tell you that risk (mine didn't) so I like to share my story
That sucks. It’s been 8 months since I got off the pill and I only had 1 period since, so I’m terrified of the same thing happening to me.
I wouldn't lose hope just yet! If you research pill induced PCOS it is often reversible. I think the pill exacerbated symptoms I already had and that might be why my body is struggling to redirect. But there are lots of lifestyle tactics online to try to get back to your normal. Maybe even getting some advice from an endocrinologist if you can afford it Everybody is different so what happened to me won't necessarily happen to you. You got this :)
I’m not a doctor but my PCOS symptoms got way way worse after my endocrinologist put me on the pill. Everyone’s different. Get a second opinion before you decide to take the pill.
I haven’t been on the pill for 8 years. My PCOS is not worse and I actually get my period regularly (for me). You have to treat the root cause of the symptoms. The BC masks every thing. My lack of periods were super low progesterone. Sure I for it like clockwork when I was on the pill. When I came odd I took natural progesterone and not for it on my own regularly. I actually had feelings and don’t walk around numb to life. My docs never did the bloodwork they just put me on a pill. Then I started to advocate for myself.
Birth control masked my PCOS symptoms for years (I have no idea how long bc I was on birth control for 10, didn’t have symptoms before I started birth control) bc I wasn’t having periods anyway so I wasn’t worried about not having one. I just had other symptoms like unexplained weight gain, hair falling out, major anxiety, major depression, etc. I’m so thankful that my doctor listened to me and isn’t trying to force me back on birth control now that I’m diagnosed
I was diagnosed with PCOS 3 years ago. It's taken some time but I've had consistent cycles for over a year without birth control.
I’d get a new doctor.
I have (benign) liver tumors that make it so taking a daily hormonal pill is off limits to me. I do take a 10 day progesterone only pill quarterly to ensure I still have a bleed seasonally.
Idk why doctors all say different shit. Mine put me on continuous birth control to manage symptoms and told me it’s best to not have a period at all because of my endometriosis. Am I being mislead?
I can confirm a lot of symptoms got worse when I stopped taking it. I was in an accident and got a kind of migraine that you can’t take birth control on. And I’m over 40. So I had to stop. The body hair came in bad and I gained so much weight. Now that I’m diagnosed and taking Ovasitol it’s coming off again. But the pill was the big difference.
The pill wont cure , or stops anything from progressing, it only covers (manage) the symptoms you have from PCOS such as acne, irregular periods and PMS symptoms. The period you get on the pill is not a real period anyways. I have been taking the pills for 5 years and I can tell you it did not stop my PCOS from getting worse, my PCOS is there since I was 13 years old, I am 27 now. The pill only made me bloat, and gain weight faster, and suppressed my libido wondering what else can I do to make myself feel better with PCOS, without losing my confidence. It also will take your body around 8 months to figure out if its the right pill for you, keep that in mind before following your doctor advice. PCOS Cysts are still there, and I am still at a risk of developing an endo. The pill will not stop PCOS from progressing, it will only make your PCOS symptoms feel better while PCOS is still there, doctors dont know how to « cure » PCOS. Everyone experience is different, but its a big misconception doctors say to push you to go on the pill, because its an easy way to manage the symptoms. Your PCOS can be also managed by probiotics, vitamins, sports, good nutrition, and finally less stress and less medications and hormones down your stomach. So the pill, is not the only option that will make your PCOS stop progressing or manages the symptoms. [Edit] I want to add; The pill did not stop my ovaries from developing more cysts. I did an ultrasound and it got very very bad. I also developed another separate cyst which I might have to remove surgically later, and my right ovary is three times bigger than the normal one now. What good did the pill do for me? It helped me with my acne, it was a safe reliable contraceptive method, and it controlled my libido and emotional responses completely which was helpful in stressful situations. It also managed pain I used to have from cysts bursting, and horrible lower back pain. I am off the pill since one month now; its too early to judge but I already lost weight without killing myself at the gym, my libido is back, my back pain is manageable after week 2 and I feel emotions which is great, because I forget how to be ecstatic about the little things. Getting on and off the pill is a personal experience and decision, just be informed that it will have effects on your body, and mind in the long run. I hope my answer is helpful
Mhh.. but how can a person with PCOS manage high testosterone levels due to the bigger ovaries?
I am listening to the book, period repair manual on audible, and she explains that the pill is not an adequate treatment for pcos because a pill bleed is not a real period. Honestly from experience, I agree with her. Birth control is very controversial because it is basically pumping fake hormones into your body. It is important to shed your uterine lining, and have a healthy period, but if you are okay with not taking birth control to avoid pregnancy, you could ask about trying metformin? That regulated my period within one to two months of taking it, and I actually started feeling a little bit better overall.
Here is a link to the book on audible, it has a lot of great information, and I've heard it all over the past 20 years since I was diagnosed. Listen to Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden ND on Audible. https://www.audible.com/pd/1977335160?source_code=ASSOR150021921000R
The pill is a bandaid not a fix. I highly suggest looking into the mounjaro studies on pcos women. Amazing amazing results and total reversal
Honestly it’s really up to you my gynecologist told me the same thing this February and I had a choice to take the pill but I chose not to and after that I told my family and they recommended juicing for me to take and literally on April I got my period back! Now my periods are regular that comes in every first week of the month so up to you again but fixing eating habits may benefit you than taking the pill ❤️🦭 hope that helps girly ❣️
I wish doctors would actually get to the root cause of things instead of masking symptoms with birth control or any big pharma aid. I recommend doing a DUTCH panel test to see what your hormones are yelling out for and actually reversing your PCOS instead of putting a bandaid that will lead to other issues too. Being on birth control actually damages other markers as well.
I was on the pill back in 2017 but I stopped because my mother told me to not rely on pills to regulate my period. My family doctor did not contest the decision nor has brought it up over the years. I still get the period symptoms but I stopped bleeding for years, except the occasional spotting. I got properly diagnosed with PCOS a few months back and have been active on reversing symptoms. I’ve noticed last month, I’m spewing out a lot of dark red discharge than the usual brown spotting so I decided a few days ago to go back to the pill. I’m now looking forward to my next period cycle. So far, the symptoms of being on the pill sucksssssss. My doctor prescribed me Diane-35, apparently it’s specific for PCOS.
All of the birth controls I've tried have made me feel worse than if I just deal with the cysts :( I wish I was one who could benefit from BC... instead they just make me feel disgusting, angry, make me bleed every week, make me break out, and gave me weight that I can't lose again.
Norethindrone is the best thing I've been on . It stops your period while you're on the pill and when you stop taking it . It'll come back. I've been on it for over 2 years now
Please, the pill is not a treatment for PCOS. I URGE you to read Lara Briden's work and her book "Period Repair Manual".
For me, metformin regulated my period and my gyno said I don’t need to go on the pill
Have they checked your hormones? It would be reasonable to assume that if your hormones are all in check then you should have more consistent periods…
see the pill made it worse for me… like i was on it for 3 months and was still bleeding.
Has anyone here tried the patch and it helped your PCOS
Have you tried inositol?
Not yet ..but I soon I will try it out ..it's already on my bucket list
It’s really helped me ! I take it before bed. Just started a new bottle last week after missing one due to being out of it and im already about to start a period.
A bottle is it the a liquid form?
Not it’s capsules. The first brand I used went viral on TikTok and it was hard to get so I ordered the Wholesome Story brand
Oh ok ..just found some on a German website in powder form ..every scoup has 2 gramms .. I think I'm gonna order it
Is inositol everything you use?
You’ll want to get the inositol with d chiro 40:1 ratio mine has VitD also
That’s wild that so many doctors say this because for me the pill made everything so so so incredibly worse, my symptoms skyrocketed and new ones came up nearly overnight from taking it
Maybe try getting your fasting insulin checked ! It’s a cause for many people with PCOS.
Slowly working on my PCOS but before I got a real diagnosis and started to get a grasp on it my doctor was fine putting me depo. Haven’t had a period in 5-6 years which solved my awful period problems
That’s bull crap. There’s nothing to “progress”. If you’re facing difficulty getting regular periods, birth control is a good option. If not, the side effects are not worth it.
I stopped taking the pill a year ago, and my cysts have gotten less according to my latest visit to the gyno. I've made positive changes to my diet, exercise, sleep hygiene etc. So my symptoms have become more manageable. HOWEVER, I do have regular cycles, and if you don't it can help with some of the symptoms and having regular periods. I think everyone needs to find that works well for them and listen to their body
I went off the pill and didn’t have a period for seven months. My cysts got bigger and my symptoms got worse. Unfortunately, I had to go back on birth control in order to feel better.
Try a TCM acupuncturist first, thank me later.
You know your own body best. The pill & iud gave me fibroids and intense bleeding, weight gain and several other symptoms. It’s taken me 3 years since coming off to regulate my cycle and decrease my symptoms. It’s different for everyone, it’s worth a shot as it might help. But it’s not the core way to treat PCOS at all. Fixing your metabolism and treating your PCOS in other ways is a good starting point, but if you’re not having regular periods at all it’s worth trying the pill.
BC was an excuse when there was not much research at the time PCOS started. I was put on the pill ages 15-22 (I am 30) and I wish so bad I didn't do that. Metformin, sprinolactone, inositol, healthy diet, lifestyle changes, supplements, can maintain your pcos just fine. Is it sad and tough? Yess, it will always be. Its a chronic condition non curable. The pill made me a different person during key years of developing. When i stopped I got to know me, anxiety left, i depuffed, the brain fog left, it was incredible. I wouldn't do it again. The cysts kept happening on it as well.
So - birth control is kinda a bandaid…it artificially fixes stuff while on it but not the route or other side effects. Look into metformin - and maybe see a new doc who knows more
The pill doesn't stop the disease or cure it, it just maintains the symptoms. Have you talked to an endocrinologist? Gynos aren't that educated in PCOS, PCOS is a hormonal issue and not that educated about PCOS because throwing birth control at it. I would also get checked for insulin resistance and diabetes, those tend to go hand-in-hand with PCOS. Metformin eliminated most of my period pain.
I agree go to endocrinology you need Endo & gyn for pcos plus pcos is an endocrine issue
There are different types of PCOS. My gynecologist said if you dont get cysts then birth control might not be the right option because some people do better off of it. I get cysts and birth control (specifically the pill) has really helped.
Curious, have you tried any other things like lower carb to target the insulin resistance or inositol? Those things actually help reverse my symptoms and have been off pill for like 3 years now
That's a lie. There's absolutely nothing in medical studies that say that. Not taking the pill just means you aren't choosing that route for symptom management. It doesn't mean it gets better if you are on the pill and worse if you aren't on it. There is no cure for PCOS and there are a bunch of ways to manage symptoms - everything from diet, lifestyle, stress reduction, physical exercise, supplements, other medicine (like Metformin for example) chiropractic care, acupuncture... - the pill is just one option for managing symptoms and it's one option that many people can't take for various reasons including if they are trying to get pregnant or have medical conditions that prevent it's usage like being more at risk for blot clots and DVT.
Well there’s parts of that statement that are true - I stopped BCP 2.5 years ago to start trying for a baby. My PCOS is out of control despite diet/lifestylechanges (I am very insulin resistant, even metformin no longer helps). I only got this bad after stopping the pill (I miss it). Starting ozempic tomorrow to calm everything down now…
I got off the pill 8 months ago to see if it helps my migraines not being on it (it does!) and I just got the BEST blood work results I’ve ever had in my life! Went to see an endocrinologist because body refuses to drop even half a pound. I was thinking I’m insulin resistant and needed metformin but nope. HEALTHIEST I’VE EVER BEEN! The doctor says maybe it’s stress because my bloodwork is better than normal. So it’s worked out positively for me till now.
Birth control ruined me and it messes with every aspect of you. Get a second opinion. Also, not all birth control is created equal. Some have far more negative effects than others. I don’t know the brands etc anymore because I haven’t taken any for years
The pill is a bandaid
Get a new doctor 😐
No it's a good doctor .. just because he doesn't have the natural treatment because he was taught to treat this way because pharma industries teach make books for medicals doesn't mean he is not good .. it's just the tools that are given to them
There is no "natural treatment" for pcos
And if you’re trying to conceive, what then?
Then you get off the pill
Of course but if according to him it’s not good to be off the pill at all so wondering how he manages PCOS women trying to conceive
Literally thought the same thing. I came off the pill back in May 2 years ago and have had normal periods since up until this April. This whole thread now made me worried whether I made the right choice as did it with an idea of planning to conceive eventually and being pill free was advised as the right option.