if not birth control, then what? For the ladies :)

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KaciWood19
KaciWood19 Posts: 553 Member
in Chit-Chat
What do you do when you don't want to take hormonal birth control anymore and your doctors keep pushing it on you? They suspect that I have PCOS and Endometriosis although the Endo has never been proven. it's just an assumption. I don't want to be on birth control as I don't like the long term scary side effects (blood clots, stroke, heart attack...) Is hormonal birth control the only way to "treat" PCOS and endo? Why are doctors in America so hung up on shoving pills down your throat? I have even tried switching doctors, and got the same response everywhere I turned, to the point of one doctor telling me he would perform surgery on me then I would have to be on Lurpon for the rest of my LIFE. Am I really that crazy to think that I don't NEED hormonal birth control?? The main reason they tell me I should be on it is because the hormones will help, I'm not sure what I need "help" with? I do have mild discomfort from the suspected endo, but it's not unbearable. Other than that, I feel normal except when I have a cyst burst. I've read that you can suppress your estrogen naturally by altering your diet and herbology. anyone go through something similar?
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  • corn63
    corn63 Posts: 1,580 Member
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    Edited because I have horrible reading comprehension today. Yikes.
  • SeaChele77
    SeaChele77 Posts: 1,103 Member
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    I have heard hormonal bc is best for PCOS, but I really don't know as I never had to deal with that. Id do some research and make an educated decision for what is best for you!
    Are you planning to have children...one day? If not, there are alternatives (besides a tubal). But if you do want children, I do not know if non-hormonal bc can be of any help. Look up PCOS websites and support groups. Might be better than an MFP forum.

    I am so very glad I do not have to deal with these decisions anymore.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
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    I don't know the details of treating this issues, but I will point out that if you are healthy and don't smoke, it's incredibly unlikely that you will experience those side effects. While real, they are very, very, very rare.

    I won't give up my hormonal BC. My periods are heavy and uncomfortable without it. I've been on some form of it for 17 years with no real issues, though the Mirena I have now has caused weight issues and I want it out for that reason. I'll be going back on the pill with no qualms.

    But if you don't want to take the pill or whatever, don't. You may have to deal with symptoms of your conditions, though.
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
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    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3070-p-c-o-sis

    You may want to join this group for assistance and support. Best of luck!

    There are also more PCOS-related groups to be found here:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/search?phrase=PCOS
  • jillica
    jillica Posts: 554 Member
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    I haven't, but I applaud you for actually caring what is going in your body. Society today is so pill happy - fix the symptom, not the problem. Good luck.
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
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    I haven't, but I applaud you for actually caring what is going in your body. Society today is so pill happy - fix the symptom, not the problem. Good luck.
    ^This.

    Major props to you for trying to do your own research instead of just going with what your docter's say. Even though docter's are right a lot of the time, they often would rather shove a prescription pad at you instead of trying to find an alternative way to treat the condition. That being said, many conditions do require meds.

    I've had absolutely craptastic experiences with hormonal birth control due to extremely high levels of estrogen, but many women absolutely love it. I say keep researching and then make an informed decision.

    Also, like a previous poster said, like any meds, birth control does have side effects, but they are VERY rare. I wouldn't get too caught up in them.
  • porcelain_doll
    porcelain_doll Posts: 1,005 Member
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    I had severe endo and ended up getting treated by this doctor. He is an endo specialist and uses a surgical technique that only a handful of docs in the country use to remove the disease. I flew to Maine in 2008 for surgery and have had no recurrences since. I highly suggest you consult with him. He will not push hormones on you as that is not the solution to your problem. He treats other stuff besides endo, too. Wonderful, wonderful doctor.

    You can find him here:

    http://advancedwomenshealthcare.us/

    I always tell everyone about him every time someone says they have problems like yours. I wish you the best. :flowerforyou:
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
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    I don't know the details of treating this issues, but I will point out that if you are healthy and don't smoke, it's incredibly unlikely that you will experience those side effects. While real, they are very, very, very rare.

    I won't give up my hormonal BC. My periods are heavy and uncomfortable without it. I've been on some form of it for 17 years with no real issues, though the Mirena I have now has caused weight issues and I want it out for that reason. I'll be going back on the pill with no qualms.

    But if you don't want to take the pill or whatever, don't. You may have to deal with symptoms of your conditions, though.

    ITA with this post. The benefits can really outweigh the risks sometimes! Life was painful and miserable for me without hormonal birth control. I've continued to take it years after my husband had a vasectomy. The pill vastly improves my quality of life.
  • Pacificplayland
    Pacificplayland Posts: 34
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    Read up on Early evening primrose, it's an essential fatty acid, a friend of mine (also with PCOS) swears by the stuff. It actually has many great health benefits. Good luck to you :-)

    Oh and stay away from soy... I'm not a anti-soy monger btw, I have learned that it will cause inflammation in people that have endometriosis and autoimmune diseases. It also screws with estrogen... I believe that diet and herbs can be used to treat many diseases, and have reversed some of my own problems this way.
  • Bentley2718
    Bentley2718 Posts: 1,690 Member
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    What do you do when you don't want to take hormonal birth control anymore and your doctors keep pushing it on you? They suspect that I have PCOS and Endometriosis although the Endo has never been proven. it's just an assumption. I don't want to be on birth control as I don't like the long term scary side effects (blood clots, stroke, heart attack...) Is hormonal birth control the only way to "treat" PCOS and endo? Why are doctors in America so hung up on shoving pills down your throat? I have even tried switching doctors, and got the same response everywhere I turned, to the point of one doctor telling me he would perform surgery on me then I would have to be on Lurpon for the rest of my LIFE. Am I really that crazy to think that I don't NEED hormonal birth control?? The main reason they tell me I should be on it is because the hormones will help, I'm not sure what I need "help" with? I do have mild discomfort from the suspected endo, but it's not unbearable. Other than that, I feel normal except when I have a cyst burst. I've read that you can suppress your estrogen naturally by altering your diet and herbology. anyone go through something similar?

    (1) Serious, long term side effects from oral contraceptives are rare.
    (2) Instead of asking strangers on the internet for medical advice, have you tried asking your doctors for a *thorough* explanation of exactly how taking oral contraceptives will help your PCOS. Although it may not be making you uncomfortable now, it is possible that there are long-term effects that the oral contraceptives will help with. Doctors aren't always immediately responsive, but I have found if you push them, you can often get a detailed response.
    (3) I trust well-tested, regulated oral contraceptives a lot more than I would trust untested, unregulated "herbal supplements." But I'm hung up on science and actually knowing what I'm putting into my body (herbs are completely unregulated in many places, so you don't even know if what it says on the label is actually what it is).
  • littlelily613
    littlelily613 Posts: 769 Member
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    I have PCOS too, and for years I refused the pill. Then my gynecologist said if I didn't take the pill, I would be at an increased risk of cancer since whatever the cycle was supposed to be doing for me, it wasn't doing it. Cancer scares me a lot, and what he explained to me made sense, so I bought the pills and have been taking them for about a year now.
  • frnnmiller
    frnnmiller Posts: 2
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    I have PCOS. It has been treated for the past 7 years with Glucophage (Metformin). The Glucophage treats the insulin resistance that is caused by PCOS. The insulin Resistance is what causes the hormonal issues. I have never taken birth control for this issue. I have had my tubes tied (after 2 healthy children) and will remain on Glucophage for who knows how long. I'm ok with that because when I do not take my Glucophage, I gain weight and begin looking like I have a barrel gut. It is harder to maintain/lose weight without the Glucophage.

    I hope this helps. Are you seeing a GYN or is this just a general practitioner? I would think a GYN would be more in touch with your needs where this is concerned. BC was an option, but I chose not to take it.
  • Rhea30
    Rhea30 Posts: 625 Member
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    What do you do when you don't want to take hormonal birth control anymore and your doctors keep pushing it on you? They suspect that I have PCOS and Endometriosis although the Endo has never been proven. it's just an assumption. I don't want to be on birth control as I don't like the long term scary side effects (blood clots, stroke, heart attack...) Is hormonal birth control the only way to "treat" PCOS and endo? Why are doctors in America so hung up on shoving pills down your throat? I have even tried switching doctors, and got the same response everywhere I turned, to the point of one doctor telling me he would perform surgery on me then I would have to be on Lurpon for the rest of my LIFE. Am I really that crazy to think that I don't NEED hormonal birth control?? The main reason they tell me I should be on it is because the hormones will help, I'm not sure what I need "help" with? I do have mild discomfort from the suspected endo, but it's not unbearable. Other than that, I feel normal except when I have a cyst burst. I've read that you can suppress your estrogen naturally by altering your diet and herbology. anyone go through something similar?

    A friend of mine told me that her doctor had told her that getting her weight down would help with PCOS. Of course this is all hear say and I have no idea about endo. I understand not wanting hormonal birth control, I hate the stuff.
  • PanteraGirl
    PanteraGirl Posts: 566 Member
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    Doctors push birth control on you because they get a kick back from the drug companies.....they tried it with my friend because it was the answer to all her problems...she went to a naturopath doctor whom fixed her hormones with a natural cream. She never touched birth control again. Its all about money.....if you want off......get off...there are other ways to deal with the issues you may or may not have!

    I've never been on it...nor will I ever touch that ****.

    You'd be surprised at kick backs doctors get for all kinds of drugs they prescribe that people don't need.
  • susjan
    susjan Posts: 105
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    What do you do when you don't want to take hormonal birth control anymore and your doctors keep pushing it on you? They suspect that I have PCOS and Endometriosis although the Endo has never been proven. it's just an assumption. I don't want to be on birth control as I don't like the long term scary side effects (blood clots, stroke, heart attack...) Is hormonal birth control the only way to "treat" PCOS and endo? Why are doctors in America so hung up on shoving pills down your throat? I have even tried switching doctors, and got the same response everywhere I turned, to the point of one doctor telling me he would perform surgery on me then I would have to be on Lurpon for the rest of my LIFE. Am I really that crazy to think that I don't NEED hormonal birth control?? The main reason they tell me I should be on it is because the hormones will help, I'm not sure what I need "help" with? I do have mild discomfort from the suspected endo, but it's not unbearable. Other than that, I feel normal except when I have a cyst burst. I've read that you can suppress your estrogen naturally by altering your diet and herbology. anyone go through something similar?

    I have been treated for Endometrosis (sp) since I was in high school (I'm 32 yrs old now). I had surgery when I was a senior in high school to remove the endormetrosis (sp) and was then put on bc. I've been on a lot of different pills and the shot for a little while. I also have terrible migraines and found that anything has interfered with my migraines. I took myself off everything for awhile and since then, the pain is back and almost unbearable at times. I've missed work because of it and there are days where I can hardly stand up straight because of the pain associated with what the dr believes is endometrosis. Last year she wanted to put me into a medicated menopause but I said no. I'm having surgery again in 2 wks and will go on a low dose pill with one of the hormones afterwards. I don't know what else to do. <-- One of the major reasons why I'm here and finally getting myself together in the hopes that it may help the pain.
  • ethompso0105
    ethompso0105 Posts: 418 Member
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    You can always try alternative medicine. I have very high estrogen so can't be on hormonal BC...I use DIM-plus to reduce my estrogen levels, Evening Primorse Oil to reduce fibroid cysts, etc. I work with a naturopath MD who's been super helpful. I also go to a Physical Therapist who uses myofascial release and reiki to help improve my overall health. Best of luck!!!
  • mrsevanrust
    mrsevanrust Posts: 71
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    If your symptoms for PCOS and endo are not that significant, there's no reason you have to take bcp's. Are you looking to have children- or more children? If so, I would continue to take them just to continue to regulate your cycles. Then when your ready to try to concieve they can take you off that and put you on metformin or glucophage, and prometrium (which is another hormone). If not, I say treat your symptoms with over the counter pain meds, and toss the bc. I'm with you, the long time risks are not worth it!
  • kimmianne89
    kimmianne89 Posts: 428 Member
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    I have PCOS too and I am not allowed to take the pil because I apparently get 'ora' migraines or something and if I take them I can have a stroke... :| Although this is the same doctor that when asked "Is there anything I can do to help it" and she responded with no even though I know there are so many things that can help naturally. Hope you find something that helps x
  • girlykate143
    girlykate143 Posts: 220 Member
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    I was talking to a friend of mine about this >>Other than that, I feel normal except when I have a cyst burst. I've read that you can suppress your estrogen naturally by altering your diet and herbology< <
    She said, maybe heard a study, through her doctor or naturopath that she should avoid soy (soy milk lattes, soy milk in general, tofu, soy beans, etc.) and the cysts will stop. Guess what she did? She stopped consuming that stuff and no more cysts. This was after a few years of cysts, one the size of a grapefruit that required surgery. I'm not sure what she's on now for BC.

    For me personally, I tried that Mirena about 8 years ago and it was painful from day one. Doc and I decided to remove it after 3 months of pain--stabby pain--that something's-just-not-right pain. adios, Mirena. no me gusta. :)
    My guy went to Dr. Snip.
  • jessicae1aine
    jessicae1aine Posts: 885
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    I have PCOS, and my estrogen is so elevated it contributed to a heart attack a few months ago. I'm 28.

    I am now on the mini-pill (progestin-only, I'm on Errin but it's also marketed as Micronor and a few other brands), and I'm not thrilled with having to be on it, but I was told it basically is a necessity for the time being. It doesn't cause a lot of the problems with the standard birth control pills, so that's a plus, but it does have a slightly higher failure rate and /must/ (like, SUPER must) be taken at the same time every day.

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