The Pill: Should I or shouldn't I?

[krhm]

I've been having some rough times lately, and a gynecologist diagnosed me with PMDD and suggested a low-dose monophasic birth control pill (Zovia 1/35). I'm trying to decide if this is really the route I want to take, and I would appreciate hearing BCP experiences (good and bad). I'm especially curious to know how long it took to feel differences, and if you did have a bad experience, how long did it take you to get back to "normal?"

The birth control aspect is not an issue. I would take this to regulate my cycles and hopefully the "steady" stream of hormones would alleviate some of my symptoms. But I am so worried that this will only cause more problems and more symptoms for me, and then I won't know what is the pill and what is me!

Any stories to share?

Kari

[Meganator]

My experience has been only positive - I have had no negative side effects. I have been on the pill for about 20 years. Prior to that, I had cramps every month (I remember when Motrin first became OTC it seemed like a miracle drug). With the pill, I never have cramps, and I love the regularity. I am on a monophasic called Lo-Ovral (actually, the generic version of it).

[Ms. Chevious]

Thank god for the pill - I love it (not necessarily for BC reasons!), have been on several different kinds with really only positive experiences. The worst year was when I took one year off from it - only one in my life and I won't be doing that again. It keeps my skin clear, shorter/schedulable periods, no cramps, etc. Give it a try and if you don't feel "normal" (I can't say I've ever had a pill make me feel different nor have I ever heard of such a thing though I did try one kind that gave me headaches - I just switched), try another kind or don't.

[funniegrrl]

I have polycystic ovary syndrome, and never in my life had consistent or regular periods -- I would even go months without sometimes. I was put on a low-dose pill and my periods finally regulated for the most part. Over time they have gotten lighter and less severe. I still get cramps, etc. but I much prefer life on the pill to life without.

Different types can produce different side effects, so if you find your body reacting negatively, ask to try another kind. There are really lots and lots of options, so don't assume that you'll react the same way to all of them. Just be warned that the first 2 or 3 months can be a transition period. Depending on your situation, you might experience breakthrough bleeding or other issues. Unless your doctor advises otherwise, I'd wait at least 4 or 5 months to let your body get used to this new way of life and settle down before trying to switch.

[wallycat]

There are pros and cons of course, and only you and your doc will know what suits YOUR body best.
For myself, it was a god-send.
Yes, the BC aspect was highly important to me at the time, but had I known that the intense and horrible cramping, the extreme heavy cycles (if you get my drift) and the ovarian cancer issue were all a plus, I'd have done it sooner.

They are making lower dosage pills now so one needs to be careful about the BC aspect.
Also, some women experience constant yeast infections from the hormonal aspect of the pill.

If I had PMDD, I'd much rather use the pill the the glucose meds they often recommend.

[BakerJane]

I've had generally good experiences with it. You may have to try a couple of types to get the one your body works well with. The first one I tried made me super-emotional for the first 3 months, I was fine after that though (and stayed with this brand for the next few years). The next time I went on it I tried a different brand and I gained over 5 pounds in one month (my diet and exercise stayed the same). The last one I've been on has been great. I really appreciate the regularity that comes with the pill.

[Varaile]

I've been on the Pill for nearly 17 years and have been very pleased. There is a history with the women in my family with heavy, long, menstural cycles and severe cramping and I was no exception. I was miserable. With the first variety I was on I found I had mid-cycle break through problems a year after I started. The second kind I stayed on for 13 years.

Last year I switched to a lower dose because I was concerned that my cycle was becoming too light (tho the doctor didn't seemed concerned by this). Ironically, my cycle has become even lighter. :rolleyes:

And to reiterate what others have said, it may take a few months (or longer) for your body to adjust. Be patient and keep an open dialog with your doctor.

Good luck!

[sweetpea]

I was put on BC at 16 due to horrible cramps, pms, etc. (yes, diagnosed with PMS) and it took me a while to finally find a pill that didnt' make me nauseous. i ended up on a very low dose pill (the name has slipped my mind-lo-something :)) that i took till i decided to get pregnant. it was very effective and i didn't have any yucky side effects. now that i am done nursing, etc. i need to get back on it!

[SusanMac]

i'm on zovia & love it. have been on a few different brands over the years. zovia is the generic of the most recent one my dr. prescribed. i've had absolutely no issues. i will have very, very, very minor cramps about once a year. i'm typically a low-meds proponent, but plan to remain on bcp forever :-)

[livelychef]

Had I known all the pluses for me going on the pill, I would have done it sooner. I was irregular, going months before having it. I would get extremely hungry for large bags of M&Ms and other junk food one week prior in addition to the cramps and headaches. I had been on the pill for almost 10 years when I started developing random breast pains. My doc recommending switching to a different brand as there are differences in the hormones from pill to pill, as well as the patch, etc. This was done after trying some OTC meds known to help estrogen. I did not notice too much a difference in switching pills, although I was going through a tremendously stressful time in my life. It took over four months for the cycle to regulate (I spent the new months wondering if I was late :confused: ).

Being on the new pill has made a big difference in my flow - much lighter than the other pill.

I do not think you will know if it will work for you until you give it 4-5 months. If you are not happy with that pill, ask to switch to one with different amounts of hormones.

Good Luck!

[mbrogier]

There are risks to birth control if you smoke or have blood clot disorders BUT the positives of BC pills are unbelievable. I'm on a progesterone only mini pill, and the difference I saw within a week was amazing. You might have to tweak the individual pill, but I really don't think you have much to lose. If you feel worse, yank the pill and see if you feel better.

[Gecko]

I am a fan too. The Pill spans way beyond just BC these days and can be a "wonder drug". I just wish all insurance companies would realize this and cover it under their plans (mine just decided to make us pay 50% rather than a co-pay). Of course lots of them have no problems with covering the little blue pill :rolleyes: :mad: I wouldn't be so negative if they would just cover both.

[gabbyh]

Just wondering how many, if any, of you guys on the pill get migraines?

I work with a hormone expert and we are studying this phenomenon...also, please remember that the pill contains synthetic hormones, and not bioidenticals; and yes, I know, they are in low doses, but synthetic none the less.

~Gail

[honeygirl1971]

I took the pill for about 12 years and had only good experiences (the only negatives were insurance issues, as mentioned above). My sis has trouble with migraines, though, and had trouble finding the right pill. She had good luck with the patch, though. I have a friend that had bad mood swings on certain pills too, but once she found the right pill for her body, that problem went away. You may have to try more than one before the get the right one, but I don't know anyone that wasn't able to find something that worked for them.

[Meganator]

Just wondering how many, if any, of you guys on the pill get migraines?
I work with a hormone expert and we are studying this phenomenon...also, please remember that the pill contains synthetic hormones, and not bioidenticals; and yes, I know, they are in low doses, but synthetic none the less.
~Gail

I have a family history of migraines (grandfather, mother, aunts, sister), but I have never had one.

[JenZen]

I had a good experience with the pill. I was on Orthotricyclen (sp?) for about two years. My cramps have been much less severe since then.

I did get night sweats the week before my period. Always found that weird.

Jen

[funniegrrl]

Just wondering how many, if any, of you guys on the pill get migraines?

I work with a hormone expert and we are studying this phenomenon...also, please remember that the pill contains synthetic hormones, and not bioidenticals; and yes, I know, they are in low doses, but synthetic none the less.

Yes, and Synthroid is a synthetic thyroid hormone, yet millions of people have taken it for decades with no problems. Just because something is synthetic doesn't mean it's bad.

As for migraines, I inherited my mother's tendency to get them. On the pill I don't get any more, and probably fewer non-cycle-related ones. I DO have one bad headache (non-migraine) day leading up to my period; that hasn't changed with the pill. What has changed is that I have a period every month, where I didn't used to.

[Bawstinn]

I guess I am the one negative in the bunch.

I went on it purely for birth control reasons (never had cramps, etc) but after being on it for 2 years, I suddenly developed high blood pressure. Not a smoker, not overweight, exercise regularly, but my dad has high blood pressure. Went off of it ASAP and it took close to 3 motnhs for it to get out of my system and my bp returned to normal. I was 31 at the time.

Just something else to think about if you have high blood pressure in your family.

[fancyn]

My turn to chime in :) . I've taken the pill since I was 16 too. The physical aspects have been wonderful for me! Less painful cramps, scheduled shorter periods, etc. Emotionally I'm not sure if I can say the same. When I went off of the pill several months before I got pregnant, my personality was way different. My mood swings were non-exsistent and I was not as emotional. DH always jokes he can't wait to have "me" back again. But I'm not quite ready for #2 yet.... ;)

[krhm]

Thank you all for your replies! I wasn't expecting to be prescribed a pill, so I wasn't fully prepared to talk to the doctor about it. When I got home and did some surfing, I got scared! I guess people with positive experiences are not the ones usually posting and talking about them! :D

The general consensus on the reading I've done is that most women who take the pill for PMS/PMDD symptoms had positive experiences with the physical symptoms being improved, but not necessarily the emotional. And that's the symptom I'm most worried about. Since things got really bad for me to seek out medical attention, I don't want them to get worse!

But, at this point, I'm willing to try, and as you all say, if things aren't better in a few months, I can switch brands or just stop.

Kari

[Melman]

I've been on BCP for 25 years! The only time I came off was when I wanted to get pregnant. I went right back on them after nursing for however long I did it.

There are miracle pills for me. Light periods, NO PMS, no headaches..nothing. My moods do not vary with the pill. I asked my gyno when he'd suggest going off them...his answer was that many women were staying on them into their early 50's. He said it's possible to not experience hot flashes as I head into menopause. That definitely works for me!