PCOS and birth control

nickyfm

Hi ladies,
I know this is an extremely overdone, controversial subject, but I really wanna revisit it anyway.
So I've had PCOS officially since 2009, but it was only within the last 6 months that it has been its worst.
I have not had a period since my progesterone bleed in may 2011, have acne and the worst sugar cravings I have had yet. So bad that I'm nearly in tears. So I cave around once a week.
I have been on metformin, but seeing as my insulin and blood sugar tests have come back normal, it didn't do much for me.
I am, and always have been at the lower end of a healthy bmi.

The worst part of it all, is that now my weight is going out of control. I have been gaining on a deficit, and have not really seen a loss in 3 months, hence caving to cravings. I used to lose weight easily beforehand, by eating well and exercising, but it seems like now my body is refusing.

I have tried the natural approach with acupuncture, vitamins and herbs, but to no avail. I still eat low glycemically and watch carbs though. I have also tried nuvaring, but it would not stay in -.-.

I am about to start taking Loestrin to hopefully get my periods back, and get this weight under control. I know BC supposedly promotes weight loss, but my dr thinks it will help, as it will shut down my wacko hormones that are making me insatiable and constantly out of balance. I also feel like the BC side effects will be exactly the same as the ones I feel naturally, so those wont be a problem.

Thoughts? Opinions? Success stories?

TNoire

Ive heard and read under other forums about people talking about Vitex and Raspberry Leaf, id ask your doc about it

motivatedshi

I tried Vitex a few months ago, before going on vitex my cycles were about every 40-45 days, after taking vitex they completely STOPPED. I do not recommend taking vitex , but I have read other people say good things about it.... I am Muslim and I remember after fasting during ramadan for a few day my period finally came on its own.... I dont know if fasting had anything to do with it, but ever since then my periods came every 30 days for the next three months, but then I gained some weight again and my periods completely stopped.... soooo I really think for me, the best way to regulate cycles is to closely watch what you eat, I didn't necessarily loose a lot of weight by fasting, but it definitely helped regulate my cycle.... right now I am trying the low Amylose diet which is suppose to be really good for PCOS/IR, and I am feeling really good, most my sugar cravings are completely gone, and I have lost 10 pounds in a little over a week.

tnpxx94

Maybe loestrin will work for you but please do know BC does NOT promote weight loss in all the forms of it. I started depo a year ago to control my pcos and have gained 60 pounds. I can't take the pill forms because they make me extremely sick. Be careful when making a BC decision and definitely talk it over with your doctor. I don't recommend depo for anyone at this point. Honestly looking at your tracker you seem to be a perfectly fine weight and it doesn't seem like your PCOS is too horrible. I am about to see an endocrinologist to check my hormone levels and I will probably start metformin next time I go see the gynecologist. I wouldn't take birth control too lightly as it is what sent me spiraling out of control two years ago. Bottom line: definitely discuss it at great length with your doctor.