Can birth control pills help women with PCOS?
Question:
(I want to concieve within a year or so although I may think about trying BC pills to help before that process. )
Answers:
Yes, the pill can help with PCOS.
I have had PCOS since I was 13 (I am 25 now) and it helps regulate your hormone levels properly.
I was on the pill from age 13 to 17 because I had stopped getting my period all together. The pill helped me lose weight and get my periods.
I am currently back on the pill; however, I am not on it for PCOS (I have lost 65 lbs and my levels are normal).
Much luck- a lot of women who have PCOS have a difficult time getting pregnant. I would tell your doctor that you are thinking of having a baby- s/he may give you birth control pills with extra estrogren.
The pill only helps with the symptoms of no or irregular periods and the night sweats. It does not cure PCOS.
They do NOT help with cysts. I know because I had a cyst last year even though I am on the pill. I don't know about endometriosis.
Many women with minor PCOS have been able to conceive after using the pill. Good luck with that. :)
I can only speak from my own experience, but I was diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 12 and together with other gynae problems:-
Not ovulating,
Heavy and painful periods etc,
was prescribed "hormone treatment" until I was 16 and then the contraceptive pill after that in order to help the problem.
I stopped taking the pill when I was about 20 because it was recommended to me by my doctor that it might be a good idea to try and start a family. I did subsequently get pregnant when I was 24 but miscarried in the first trimester.
Because of complications during that miscarriage my doctor told me that it was very unlikely that I would conceive again, and prescribed me hormone treatment to help with my PCOS.
When I was 28 I collapsed one day in terrible pain and rushed to hospital with a suspected burst ovarian cyst. They gave me a urine test, and discovered that I was two weeks pregnant. Eight months later, after a very difficult pregnancy (Symphisis pubis dysfunction) I gave birth to a 9lb 2oz Son.
I still had problems with my periods and PCOS as well as quite disfiguring polycystic patches on my face so my doctor prescribed me Norethisterone to try and "reboot" my cycle.
Whilst i was taking these, I became pregnant again (which was quite a shock because Norethisterone is stronger than the contraceptive pill). And again gave birth nine months later to a bouncing 9lb 2oz daughter.
I would say from this that birth control and hormone treatment helped me, however please don't be surprised if it takes you a while to conceive.
Don't lose heart.
I'm a big fan of continuous low-dose birth control use (Lo-Ovral was the right combo for me) to prevent one from having periods, until ready to conceive. This really helped me with my endo. I think the medical society is very close to fully accepting that a woman does not need to have a menstral cycle, until shortly before desiring to get pregnant. My best friend has PCOS and has recently started low-dose continuous BCP and for the last three months has been issue-free.
Good luck to you
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