Can the contraceptive pill make it worse?

[Donna13]

Hello! So I've had RLS forever but the last few months have been horrendous!! My gp is reluctant to start me on any meds so she referred me to a rheumatologist? (Bit odd, even he wondered why I hadn't been referred to a neurologist) anyway, he found nothing, but also being a gp he says that he's seen in women that take the pill for years, I've taken it for about 18 years now, that they can have problems with restless legs? I've never heard that! Just wondered if anyone else had?

[Joolsg]

I remember reading somewhere that oestrogen could make RLS worse. I'm on HRT and noticed symptoms worsened when I switched to a brand with high progesterone and low Oestrogen. Changed back to a low progesterone/ high oestrogen and it improved. I occasionally reduce the oestrogen to see if it makes any difference but I don't think it does. Pregnancy triggers RLS for many so clearly there's a link to hormone levels.

I'd be fascinated to hear if anyone knows more about it though as I'm sure there's a link for some of us with high/ low hormone levels.

Jools

[mmjxc in reply to Joolsg]

omg! jools i know this comment is insanely old, but the birth control i’m on is only progesterone. i think you might’ve cracked the code.

[Joolsg in reply to mmjxc]

I had to stop HRT because Pfizer stopped making my ultra low dose brand. It was impossible to find anything else with low enough Progesterone.

I’m not sure now whether HRT helped or worsened RLS because I stopped the HRT shortly after going through Ropinirole withdrawal & think the Ropinirole caused permanent damage to my dopamine receptors.

I did once try a ‘natural progesterone’ cream that you rubbed on your skin & remember my RLS was particularly bad & remain convinced that, for me, progesterone rather than oestrogen was the culprit. You can’t take oestrogen only HRT unless you’ve had a hysterectomy.

[mmjxc in reply to Joolsg]

this is all really helpful, thank you! i’m sorry you had to stop your HRT though

[MumofSam]

I can't answer your question specifically, but I do remember my RLS used to follow my monthly cycle, so when I was pre-menstrual my symptoms would shoot through the roof, so there's definitely a hormonal/stress element to it.