The Pill

[_00Ofs_]

Hi,

I was diagnosed last year with PCOS. I had none of the symptoms except my periods were really irregular. So I’ve not been put on the microgynon pill which has had no side effects so far... however like many others I found myself on the wrong side of the internet🙄 and seen things Im now worried about Such as the increased risk of breast cancer and the huge weight gain after coming off. I’ve started to feel uncomfortable about my pill as I also have breakouts that I think are related but I don’t want to come off it incase there is no other way of making me ovulate regularly.

[LisaEB]

Its interesting to read this after years of being on the pill and coming off about 4 years ago. I didn't really have periods but managed to get pregnant at 18. After that I went on the pill. I wasn't diagnosed Until I was 25 with PCOS, as i didnt look like some with PCOS, slimish, not hairy, fairly clear skin. It wasn't until I went for a random pill check and the doctor said what were my periods like, to which I told them I never had any, the doctor was like that should be checked out, and when they did they found cysts over my ovaries.Since that meeting I was told to try be on the pill at least 4 times a year to regulate periods. I've been of and on the pill over the years, it would make me feel really sick on the first day or so, my legs would get bruised, so it was clear to me it wasn't having all good benefits.

When I got married I came off the pill, strangely, in my 30s, I've started have periods although irregular and I have put on 4 stone, very quickly. But I believe this is partly due to being married, not going out so much, changing jobs to one where I didn't walk much and eating alot more, as my husband cooks good food. I've managed to loose a stone from eating 800 calories a day some days and trying to step up the exercise. As I imagine most people who come off the pill after a long time, are then trying for a baby and in a relationship, so maybe not as active or eating as well? I don't believe the PCOS helps, but I also don't believe it's 100% the pill either.

I saw recently that the pill also might shrink your brain, which is quite worrying and I really struggle with concentration and thinking in my late 30s, which seems quite young to me. But it could be the effect of mobile phones.

The coil for example could be an alternative for contraception. Or condoms, which me and my husband did for a while.

A supplement called my instol is supposed to help PCOS symptoms. Products like Myova and Alpha infolic. I've been taking it for over a year now, can't I honestly say if its helping. But it is supposed to help with ovulation, it was recommended to me by a fertility nurse.

Breast risk is a known risk on the pill.

I did see there was a new book about the pill out on audiobooks, which looked interesting to listen to and read, I believe it was written by a doctor. Maybe give that a search and see what she says. She took the pill and looks at both the good points and bad.

Also id like to add, although I have regular, but irregular periods, like PCOS. I had a scan recently and the cysts had gone strangely, so maybe these things can correct themselves too.

[_00Ofs_ in reply to LisaEB]

Thankyou for the reply

I suppose everybody is different, I just panic a lot. It’s strange as I had blood tests saying I have pcos but my scan said there is nothing on my ovaries so the doctor was torn between the two so I just got the “yes, here is the pill it will help you regulate” which has made me wonder if I should be checked out again now a year later.

[LisaEB in reply to _00Ofs_]

It depends whether you are on it for contraception, PCOS or both.

If it is just for PCOS, maybe you don't need to be on it if you are having periods.If you are not id recommend having it, as I do believe its helped my body sort itself out so to speak. I'd ever had a proper bleeding period without it for years. I didn't worry about it, as I got pregnant and I didn't particularly want to bleed, if I didn't have to. But I believe I was told if your womb doesn't shed, that can also issues, that's why getting the hormones 4 times a year from the pill can help, or whatever the recommendation is these days, as these things change.They never did the blood tests with me back then, all I had was the scan and I've had the blood tests recently and they were fine, so I guess I technically don't have PCOS anymore even though I still have irregular periods, so one sign of PCOS.

Good luck in whatever you choose! Like you say you can always see how you are for a year and see if that's what you want to carry on doing it, you can start and stop whenever you like.