Medication after 40?

[cockermom]

Has anyone's doctor (GP, OB/GYN, or RE) discussed how long a woman with PCO can remain on her meds? I keep getting conflicting information depending on who I talk to. Some say I can take Zovia and Spironolactone for life while others say I'll need to come off of them as I age. I can't imagine not being on my anti-androgens since they have saved my life with regard to controlling my symptoms.

I've noticed though, that the older I get the worse my cramps are and the more facial hair I'm developing despite having gone through electrolysis and being on anti-androgens that used to work brilliantly. Is that what I can expect as I approach menopause?

Should we continue with our meds and add supplements as well? After all, our estrogen levels will be decreasing and with us PCO sufferers, we need all the estrogen we can get to combat acne, facial hair, irregular periods, etc.

Thanks for any input! :)

[sweetsunshine72]

Actually, it can be EXCESS estrogen which can cause some of the problem! Many women with PCOS actually find that their symptoms reduce as they approach menopause, and can even find their fertility increase!

If you have too much estrogen in your system, your body will turn some of it into androgens, so it can backfire. Also, HRT has actually been shown to be no-where nearly as "safe" as was once thought. Here's a link: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/whi/

If all you are being given to "treat" your PCOS is BCP's and Spiro, you might want to re-think your treatment options. Over 80% of us Cysters have some form of Insulin Resistance, and it really seems to be at the heart of PCOS. IR can be difficult to detect, though, especially by family docs and gyno's (really it should be evaluated by an endo every few years). You can also have IR for around 10 - 15 years before it starts to affect your blood sugar levels. Long-term use of BCP's has been linked to worsening of metabolic issues, too - so they can cover up the symptoms while making the underlying issue worse without you knowing it.

Now, the good news is that you can still tackle the IR side of things - and it may be the "boost" that you need to re-gain control over your symptoms! A positive side effect is that managing IR also helps to normalize blood pressure and cholesterol levels, too, and it reduces your risk of developing diabetes, while also helping the PCOS-type symptoms. Overall, it's a real treatment that can get down to the heart of your symptoms, and can improve your health over-all, with few side-effects.

Treating IR starts with a low-GI-type diet and exercise - even walking is good, and can do quite a bit. Some of us also require Metformin - a med that helps our bodies use insulin more effectively. If you do take Metformin, it works best when combined with the lifestyle changes. If you've tried Met in the past, but had a hard time with side effects, there are other versions out now, like the Extended Release version, that seem to be gentler on the stomach.

There's a really good site I've found: www.womentowomen.com They really know their stuff, and deal with PCOS, menopause, and other metabolic issues. I'd really recommend that you check them out.

Hope this helps!!! :)

[cockermom]

I have been thoroughly tested (e.g. three hour glucose testing) for IR every year and each time, the results show that I do not have it. I, unlike many other PCO sufferers, am thin as well so just my looking at me you can see I don't have it, but to be on the safe side the doctors test me yearly and that has been happening for 20 years.

I normally eat a low GI diet but it does not do anything for my symptoms. I have a form of PCO that isn't as common: congenital pituitary dysfunction so I'm a bit different than many PCO sufferers who are IR and overweight and can control many of their symptoms with weight loss and diet.

I have to be on estrogen to control my symptoms otherwise it's hell for me, so I don't think estrogen is the culprit; it's definitely testosterone. I have never heard that estrogen causes PCO symptoms; that's very interesting. Not one RE - and I have lived in many places - has ever mentioned that. Where did you hear that? That doesn't really make sense since we're put on anti-testosterone meds to control the symptoms.

[balthasarbal]

My sister suffers from PCOS and it has gotten progressively worse for her, especially after the birth of her daughter, who is now one. I know she struggles so much with this. She just had a doctors appointment and the doctor pretty much told her straight out that meds don't do anything for the weight loss, he said the she needs to exercise 4-5 times a week and eat significantly less than most people. I recommend Windsor Pilates to work your core, all exercises are geared towards to core, the videos are pretty inexpensive you can find them on Ebay, you would need the basic 20 minute workout, it is quick and easy, you do need to do it at least 3 times per week to see results, but partnered with diet and cardio you will see results.

[MrsGart]

I'm 51 and from reading everything, it sounds like 5 blind guys "looking at an elephant." Each one "views" it from their own perspective. I just hope all that we've been thru will help the next generations find answers sooner.
I've been on spiro for 6 years, and can't imagine life without it.
I took a 2 hour Post Parandial (high glucose) and they thought I had diabetes, but 5 hours later, my blood sugar was 34! All this to say, I'm doing much better on the Metformin. I walk an hour on a treatdmill. Its what I have to do to lose weight. I also have Fibromyalgia, so this is my most valuable "medication."

Has anyone had lazer or any kind of permanent hair removal that actually works? I'm always plucking!

Mrs Gart