[nelie]

PCOS, on birth control pills for it and have been for the past couple years. I actually feel birth control pills helped me lose weight to some extent. The doctor put me on Levlen recently and I'm not so sure about it.

I was having a horrible time with Ortho-Novum, 1 week of spotting, 1 week period. Then I was switched to Yasmin, which was ok, 5 day period, heavy for 2 -3 days with mood swings the week prior. Now that I'm on Levlen, my mood swings seemed worse (although I was stressed as well), and my period is heavier. Also, I notice my facial hair seems to be growing back faster.

Anyone have any experiences with Levlen? I'm hoping this is just an adjustment period and it gets better but the painful cramps, heavy period and the intense moodiness aren't making me feel happy about it so far.

[Odaley]

I've never taken Levlen. I actually never heard of it.

The only bc I could take was Yasmin. Everything else I had tried had too much progesterone for my taste. I'm 10 seconds away from a straight jacket and a padded cell when I have too much progesterone in my system. However, I just went off Yasmin because my libido is down to zero (which I don't know if it's pcos or the pill. I think it's the pill). Right now I'm using natural progesterone cream. I'm a little moody, as it's getting close to my period time, but nothing like regular progesterone or how I used to be. I was getting sick of trying pill after pill after pill. Also, I'm sick of putting synthetic crud in my system, although I'm too afraid to give up my met. I'm just hoping this npc works.

Good luck with your search. Hopefully you can find something that helps you.

[mandi78]

Here is a link to an article that gives great info on BCPs when you have PCOS....which ones are best, worst, etc.
I also added a small clip from the article. It mentions Levlen.

http://www.wdxcyber.com/ncontr13.htm

The pills that are likely to cause worse acne and hair growth side effects are those pills high in androgenicity and low in estrogen content. Such pills might include:

Loestrin® 1.5/30
Loestrin® 1/20 Fe
Estrostep® Fe
Levlen®
Alesse®
Ovral®
Norlestrin® 1/50

[kmg73]

I was switched to Levlen 3 years ago. I had breakouts right after I switched but that is because I was previously taking Ortho TriCyclen which is good for the skin. Once the breakouts cleared (about 2 months later) my skin cleared up and returned to normal. As far as hair groth goes, I had issues with hair growth before taking Levlen and I haven't noticed much of a change with that.