I want to go off pill. But I'm terrified

helwa588 · 03-05-2011, 04:48 PM

I've been on yasmin now for 5 months. I've been doing lots of research about side effects like blood clots and loss of libido. Although I'm not sexually active and I plan on saving myself for marriage I don't want to wind up with a low sex drive when I get married.

I also worry about getting blood clots.

However prior to going on pill my periods were heavy and frequent. every 2 weeks I would get a period that would last like 13 days. i would have to change a pad on the hour. being on the pill has made it regular and lighter.

so im in a dilemma right now.

any advice?

kjw83 · 03-05-2011, 05:00 PM

I would definitely go off of the pill, but I don`t like putting those things in my body! I am on biodientical hormone replacement therapy for hormone imbalance, plus I have all the symptoms of PCOS, but haven`t been "formally" diagnosed with it. I feel alot better, and my periods are becoming more regular and not so heavy. Just a thought! And I am only 27, if that makes a difference to you.

snoozlebug · 03-05-2011, 05:46 PM

There are a million different types of hormonal contraceptives. Blood clots are extremely rare, but some BC pills have a higher risk factor for that than others. Same goes for libido. It may take some time to find the best fit for the pill that works best with your own hormonal chemistry, but it sounds like it would be helpful for you to stay on some kind of treatment. Go talk to your doctor. There are options.

ncuneo · 03-05-2011, 07:11 PM

You know, I wouldn't say blood clots are rare. It actually happened to me when I was in my 20s. I actually got three of them before we figured out what was going on. They were all in my lungs and I was incredible lucky to have made it through. Once we realized what was going after being hospitalized, I immediately stopped BC and haven't had one since. That was about 8 years ago.

Anyway, sorry I don't want to scare you, but it is a legit risk. It's not like one of those risks that they put on things to just cover their a$$. However, it is more prevalent in people who are overweight and have other issues. But blood clots are a risk with any hormonal treatment. So it maybe a risk you have to take because of your PCOS. Is there any reason you might be more likely to get a blood clot?

astrophe · 03-05-2011, 07:53 PM

I've been on the pill on an off since I was 16. (I take periodic breaks.) I'm 35 now, and starting to think about where to take it from there as I age. For my BCP has been a smooth process with no problems, but I know it is different for everyone.

I'd see your doc about your other options birth control wise, and see about long term PCOS management. Each age and stage brings something new -- and I know some of us here are at the perimenopause/menopause stage and dealing with that.

GL!
A.

Esenin · 03-05-2011, 07:55 PM

I am not on BC, but if there were any serious risk of those nasty side effects i would go to my doctor and ask for alternatives.

Laneyy · 03-06-2011, 10:07 PM

I've also been on and off the pill since I was 16 (I'm nearly 24 now) and it's mostly been smooth sailing for me as well. The only thing I've noticed is the difference in libido, which I guess isn't a problem for you at the moment. I would stay on it for now, perhaps even a couple months in to your marriage as well, just to see if it really does affect your libido that much.

Also, being on the pill helped me lose weight. I don't know if that's true for anyone else with PCOS, but it's helped me significantly.

beerab · 03-07-2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helwa588

I've been on yasmin now for 5 months. I've been doing lots of research about side effects like blood clots and loss of libido. Although I'm not sexually active and I plan on saving myself for marriage I don't want to wind up with a low sex drive when I get married.

I also worry about getting blood clots.

However prior to going on pill my periods were heavy and frequent. every 2 weeks I would get a period that would last like 13 days. i would have to change a pad on the hour. being on the pill has made it regular and lighter.

so im in a dilemma right now.

any advice?

So far you have been on it 5 months with little to no side effects I am assuming? Then I would not get off the pill, specially if it's helping with your PCOS. If anything speak to your doctor first before just getting off the pill.

I have been on BC for 8 years and I haven't had issues with clots or lack of sex drive. I think if that issue comes up then you could possibly switch or see what other options there are. But for now why cause yourself unnecessary stress when things seem okay right now?

helwa588 · 03-08-2011, 07:53 AM

With Yasmin I had no side effects. Only a little nausea in first week of taking it. I was actually pleased with yasmin because i felt normal again because i was getting my periods every month ans they were not super heavy. However I've been hearing a lot about serious side effects from taking Yasmin. Also I've been doing a lot of research on birth control pills in general and it hasn't been good things.

I was suppose to start a new pack Sunday but I decided not to start a new pack. Hopefully all goes well. I know from now in I'm going to have to really watch my carb intake exercise more. And if none if that works I guess I'll have to go back on the pill

Thank you for all of your suggestions.

junebug41 · 03-08-2011, 10:14 AM

I found a tremendous amount of relief when I went on the pill. It really did help with my symptoms and helped me lose weight because it got my hormones in check. When I went off the pill, all h*** broke loose and over a year later and one surgery I'm finally feeling better again.

If you find that your symptoms get wonky and you decide to go back on it there are other options besides yasmine that may have fewer risks. I was on Nuvring for years and loved it. You just have to weigh the risks and the benefits and decide what's best for your body. Good luck

beerab · 03-08-2011, 10:16 AM

I still think you should see your doctor, birth control also does GOOD things like reduce risk of certain cancers.

At 5 months in with no side effects I doubt you'll be someone who all of a sudden has issues. And if it's helping control your PCOS symptoms why not stick to it?

It's your choice but at least talk to your doctor about it.

Rana · 03-08-2011, 01:46 PM

I'm a case of someone who took Yasmin and while on it, I was fine in terms of getting my periods and not having terrible side effects.... until I was hospitalized for someone else and they discovered that I was developing gallstones from the Yasmin (BCP in general). There is a lot of stuff out there indicating that Yasmin has side effects that may not show up for years even if you tolerate it well.

I decided to get off it.

My personal reasons for stopping BCP is that they were hiding my PCOS. Sure, the pills helped with the excess hair, it helped regulate my periods, but the thing is, while I was on it, I couldn't lose weight. I also wasn't treating my PCOS because I didn't have those symptoms.

Personally, I would start treating the PCOS first and then speak to my doctor about whether I still need the pills or not.

The problem is that all BCP will have short-term and long-term side effects. You take a risk when you take the pills and you hope that you're not part of the percentage of people that will be affected.

I took that risk and it worked for me for a while. But knowing that my body was no longer side-effect free of BCP made me rethink whether I wanted to continue to take that risk.

There's plenty of time in the future if you want to get back on it after you learn how to treat your PCOS.