Alternatives to the pill for managing pcos?

[Stealmysunshine]

Hi, I’m 26 and I was diagnosed with pcos in December 2021, I have high testosterone, high prolactin and multiple follicles on my ovaries. This was confirmed privately and I was referred back to my GP who keeps pushing for me to go on the pill.

I was on the pill for 6 years until July last year when I decided to stop and my period hasn’t come back since. I had a normal period prior to going on the pill.

Up until now I’ve just been eating healthy, exercising regularly and taking inositol. My bmi is normal so I don’t need to lose any weight. Is there anything else I can do to or ask for to kick start my period? I’m not looking to conceive right now but I don’t want to go back on the pill. My doctor is concerned that I haven’t had a regular bleed for more than 8 months.

Really appreciate any advice!!

[Haf1za]

Hi I havent had a period for 6months too. And prior to that i was on the pill but have suffered from irregular periods so much all my life. Im trying for a baby too 😢. I've been taking inositol for 3 months now and still no period. Im not overweight, i exercise and do weight training, eat healthy. Had done seed cycling and liver detox and still no period.

[Carly93 in reply to Haf1za]

The best thing for your fertility other than diet and exercise is taking the right inositol. You should be taking Myo and D chiro inositol 40:1 . This combination in the perfect ratio of 40:1 will improve fertility and with improved fertility comes improved mood and regular periods. This has been named the best supplement for Pcos by every well established pcos dieticians/nutritionist and drs.

[Haf1za in reply to Carly93]

Thank you Carly for your advice. Thats exactly the ones i've started taking for about 3 weeks. Fingers crossed it works and improves x

[Emelisa]

It's good your doctor is concerned as I didn't get a period for 15 months coming off the progesterone only pill that I was on for many years and was worried but my doctor wasn't and just said to wait (they did do a scan and blood test to be sure wasn't anything serious to be fair after I went to see them after a year of no period). I eventually got a natural period after 15 months and then another one 5 months later and then was semi regular again. When I saw an ivf consultant he said I should have a period 2 to 3 times a year and the gp should have prescribed something for it and I should have been told to take a break from pill once in a while. I got given a 10 day course of provera to stimulate a bleed for ivf (I can't do naturally but not because of pcos so don't worry) but not sure if gp will prescribe it. Some people on here have suggested in past to look at diet - you might not need to lose weight but believe some people have found it successful to change and having less carbs and sugars had helped - I haven't followed that because of timescales for ivf but can search for pcos diets on here for info on how having pcos can lead to higher insulin resistance can mean we don't process. Good luck x

[Carly93]

Hey, taking pumpkin seed oil and drinking spearmint tea can decrease testosterone. Taking inositol can decrease testosterone also. Although Myo inositol is helpful it wouldn’t be nearly as helpful as taking Myo and D chiro inositol 40:1 ratio powder. This is because the Myo and D chiro inositol is a perfect ratio at 40:1 , you need this ratio in your body to create harmony. and usually women with pcos do not. If you take the Myo and D chiro inositol powder 40:1 ratio this should bring back periods , ovulation and fertility whilst also improving mood and skin. This should also decrease reverse the follicles on your ovaries. As long as you are keeping up with a pcos diet. Meals consisting of good fats , protein , lowering carb intake (the carbs you do eat must be whole grain) ,and lots of veggies . Whilst also avoiding processed food and sugars and if you find your sensitive to gluten or dairy then you should avoidddd. Make sure your getting at least a good 8 hours a night. Sleep is highly important to our health especially when we’re struggling with hormones and insulin resistance. Make sure your exercising with slow weighted workouts most days (at least 3 days a week). On other days make sure your getting in enough steps in nature and or yoga on days your just not up to it such as the luteal phase of your period and the first couple of days you bleed. In these times you can feel overwhelmed and extra fatigued.

[Aaaassshh]

You can have short courses of progesterone to induce a period when needed. But finding ways to get the cause under control is the long term goal, eg lowering testosterone. This could be with medication or supplements or both. Good luck!

[pcosmum]

Hi,

Acupuncture might be worth a try? It was recommended to me by a member of this forum.

my daughter started a course of weekly acupuncture 6 weeks ago with a practitioner who specialises in womens hormonal health. By her fifth session, she got her period on Day 26 (it’s usually 60+ days, never longer than 90). It’s early days, but we were so excited and are taking that as a good sign. Her practitioner seems confident that she can regulate her hormonal system within 3-4 months.

She is also seeing a gynae consultant who told her to flag if her period is ever more than 90 days as ideally she needs to bleed 2-3 times a year). Anything less, she will give her hormones to induce a bleed (she’s not in the pill as her BMI is too high, but has restarted Metformin and recently added Spirolactane in the last month).

Good luck!

[Pigeon-Lotus]

Is it the pill itself you don't want to take or is it the medication?

If the pill is the issue, I use the patches instead. I tried the injection, but I think the dosage was too high and it made me ill. The doctor tried to pass it off as "university stress" but I will pay somebody who manages to convince me I could be experiencing high university stress before even starting the term. I had my second appointment booked and I just skipped it. Before long my illness vanished. If you consider the injection, ask about the dosage.

I don't like having to take medication either, but at least I know I'm unlikely to have an unwanted pregnancy. I have no idea how I would react to that scenario and I don't want to find out either.

I'm afraid I don't have any natural suggestions as I don't know myself