Birth controll pills and PCOS

[snkhoward]

I am just curious here. I know very little about PCOS. (I had never heard about it untill I read an article in woman's day this month)which really surprises me since I am a nurse, it was never taught in nursing school.
But here is my question:
I am on atkin's and doing really well, but last month my endomitriosis came back and my doc put me on birth controll pills to see if they would help. Since then I have lost 7 lbs in 3 weeks, usually I lose about 5 a month.
I know PCOS is occassionally treated with BCP and that it PCOS can cause obesity...am I way out on a limb here to make this connection?It is the only thing I can find that has changed in the last few weeks(granted I am not complaining about the loss here!)Could my endomitriosis be masking PCOS and the pills helping?They certainly are not helping with the endomitriosis pain yet!
Thank you for any input on this!

[Elora Jade]

Snkhoward:

You may want to check out the INCID web site (the Bible of PCOS info):

"PCOS is associated with increased risk for endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease." (INCID & PCOS (http://www.inciid.org/faq/pcos3.html) )

So, "Did the chicken or the egg come first"

Hope this helps.

[Gracia_30]

I don't really think bcp's can "treat" PCOS. I think they may help some people with mild PCOS get their periods every month, and prevent them for becoming pregnant (which is actually funny if you think about it) but that's about all it does.

The real "treatment" drug would probably be glucophage (Metformin). This drug is a miracle drug for us PCOS'ers. It lowers our insulin, helps our receptors absorb more, hence helping it to produce less insulin in our bodies which is what PCOS'ers problems really start.

For me, Met has brought back my periods almost regularly, as of this month I can say for sure that it also helps me ovulate, it's helping me feel like a real woman again.

I know I have a long road ahead of me still, however this has been my miracle. I would think that for those not wanting to TTC should consider MET to treat their PCOS WITH BCP's to prevent pregnancy.

My 2 cents!

[snkhoward]

Thank you for all of your input. I will ask my GYN about it and get his 2 cents worth!

[Packrat]

I've had PCOS since puberty, around 22 years worth. It took 15 years, endless different gynecologists, expensive tests, and journals full of heartbreak before my condition was finally labelled as Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. My miracle breakthrough came upon visiting an infertility endocrinologist. You see, it's not just the hundreds of tiny cysts (visaible on ultrasound), but what those cysts do to your hormone imbalance that causes more medical problems that can be imagined. Here is just a capsule of "what symptoms I have". I've been labelled with Chronic Fatique Syndrome because of the continual burden of 'never enough energy' and the absolute necessity of an afternoon nap. I have a confirmed diagnosis from a rheumatologist of Fibromyalgia because of recurrent , sufferable aches and pains and dreadful insomnia. Years of physical therapy have only produced temporary relief. And just last week after 2 months of tragic headaches and a "primary care" physician labelling me 'psychotic', do I have a conclusive diagnosis from an endocrinologist that I have severe reactive hypoglycemia. My insulin peaks were incredible also allowing an additional diagnosis of "very" glucose intolerant. Little was ever mentioned regarding diet through the multitude of physicians and specialists I endured. I am on Metformin to help with the glucose intolerance and"LOESTRIN" birth control pill to regulate my cycles. EVERY FEMALE with PCOS should be aware that BP's with higer doses of ESTROGEN can cause earth shattering Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Just switching to a lower estrogen pill can help IBS, mine disappeared immediately after 2 years. I'm kind of rambling on here, but my thoughts on a possible connection to your endo...problems, might be worth persuing. If nothing else keep Low Carbing. Carbs might just be your evil potion. They sure have crushed a lot of my life away. Take control! Be persistant and by all means never stop asking questions.
Packrat

[snkhoward]

Did you read my medical file?
I have had diagnosed fibromyalgia for 6 years, and undiagnosed for probably 12 years, I have had diagnosed endomitrosis and IBS for 2 years and have also been told I have chronic fatigue etc...but this I have come to learn is all part of the fibro. I had a wounderful rhumatologist and the fibro is under controll and thanks to atkins, I sleep much better.
I hope you have had as much relief from your symptoms packrat!

[MrsTweety]

snkhoward, there is a great web page for people who like us suffer from PCOS, www.soulcysters.com. I hope you visit it, it has a lot of great information. That's how I got the link to this page, I too have PCOS and I'm IR, I'm starting Atkins this coming monday and I will be joining Curves, hopefully I will meet my goal of steadily loosing weight.

[Gracia_30]

Before you go see your GYN, I have a bit of advice that may help you.

RESEARCH all that you can on Metformin and how it helps women with PCOS. I went in there armed with information and sheets of paper to back up my knowledge (and a doctor cannot argue text from a medical book, with research done from a doctor!!!) ha!

My GYN didn't really want to help me so I went to my family doctor and asked him to send me to an Endocrinologist. And you know what the endo told me? that my research was right on the nose and my GYN didn't know what the hell he was talking about. She told me she would send him a letter, and boy did she ever. I even received a copy LOL :D Did she ever let him know how right I was. Anyway, that was my moment of glory, but all this just to tell you that your best way to help your PCOS is knowledge and lots of it.

I think you're on the right track! Good for you for even turning on your computer and going to find information. So many women suffer unknowing. My hat's off to you!