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View Full Version : Birth Control cause more trouble?


harleybw
06-17-2010, 10:33 AM
Hey everyone,

I am very concerned with the potential damages to my body and hormones that birth control can cause. I think I started having symptoms of PCOS around age 15. I had an increase in body hair, no one else believed me but it drove me crazy, I got my stomach waxed and even got a couple laser hair removal treatments. I also shaved my arms for awhile. I always had really really bad acne. I attributed these to puberty and genetics. Then when I was 16 I developed anorexia. I lost a lot of weight, my hair thinned out a TON and my boobs shrunk a lot. Since then I've basically recovered, I'm back up to almost the weight I was in high school. However, my hair still seemed to be thinning and my boobs seemed to get smaller even though I've been trying to gain weight. My body hair has gotten much worse as I've been gaining weight. I am still underweight I've just been trying to get to my "goal weight" which is where i was in high school and is still deemed "under weight."

I always knew there was a connection for me to gaining weight and feeling less feminine, which I think is why it took me 5-6 years to really truly give up my eating disorder.

Now that I have, my acne got worse, my body hair increased and ended up in even stranger places, my boobs seemed to get smaller, my hair continued to thin. Well my doctor said I have mild PCOS and now I'm on birth control. My hair is thicker and shinier than it's been since age 15. My boobs have gotten much bigger! The body hair appears to be growing thinner and less, but I'm also getting electrolysis so who knows. But can birth control actually mess up my hormones more? I keep reading that birth control pills can cause PCOS symptoms in women. Well can birth control pills make symptoms worse for women who already have PCOS symptoms? Is it terrible to just stay on birth control pills your whole life except for when you're wanting to get pregnant? My doctor said there's no harm in that, my eating disorder could not have induced any PCOS, and that the birth control can not make symptoms worse when I come off they will just go back to where they were before. Is this true?

Wow sorry I can be quite long winded! Thanks for any response!! I feel like I've been posting a lot the last few days, I just found out and I'm really nervous about everything. It's been a HUGE emotional stress on my life for some time now, and as of two days ago I finally have an answer. Now I just want to learn more.

Londongirl
06-17-2010, 04:01 PM
Hi harleybw

I was on the pill when I was first diagnosed with PCOS. End of then relationshipship ended my taking them. Lost the weight, spots reduced. Hirsuitism was light at time so didn't worry about that.

Now at 47 I went back on the pill 6 months ago. More spots, bloated stomach, periods lasting an extra 3-4 days. Was not happy about it considering I'm on the march to the big M so checked out having the Mirena coil fitted instead. Having second thoughts about that too now because of the hormone content and my age.

I'm not sure bc makes the symptoms worse when you are younger and deciding if/when to have children is aided by them. I do think it needs to be re-evaluated when you are in your 40s and approaching the menopause.

My concern is that, by having the Mirena inserted, it could make my PCOS worse which is already headed that way courtesy of the big M.

All I can suggest is that you talk to a gynae or endocrinologist to air your concerns. It could be that they can suggest something else, in addition to the pill, which will help.

All the best, whatever you decide to do. It might help to keep a diary of your symptoms, how you feel etc as that will aid you in deciding what other course of treatment to take.

I'm going to keep my coil appointment but ask to postpone and talk it through with a gynae. I don't really want to add more hormones into my body as I'm just starting to talk better care of myself for the big M.