Ortho novum - Birth Control Message Board

sidnee74 · 09-09-2004, 05:02 PM

I was just given a script for this to try to control the pain I have from what the doctor strongly suspects is endo. Has anyone had any experience with this pill? Did you gain weight or have any loss of sex drive? I am concerned about the side effects but curious to see if it helps the pain.

Thanks,
Sid

CoNfUs3dOn3 · 09-09-2004, 07:15 PM

I was on the pill.. for about 4 yrs.. I'd say maybe 5 lbs kicked on right away and I craved foods more so I gained from that. Loss of SEX drive.. YES! I have NONE.. used to be like a rabbit.. Now.. NOTHING! DEAD! Good Luck

Nikkijot · 09-09-2004, 11:08 PM

Hi! Ortho Novum has different pills from what i remember - I take 1/35 and have been on it more than 15 years. I was only 20 when first taking it and right after giving birth, so I lost weight. I have had no loss of sex drive or other side effects except getting headaches during the off week if I don't keep myself hydrated. It could be my body is just well adjusted, though, so it depends! I hope you have good luck with it as well!!

stacydl · 09-10-2004, 10:56 AM

I was put on ortho novum 7/7/7 when I was 18 because of painful heavy periods. Unfortunately, I gained weight, but I think it was more because I just started college at teh same time because I have been off the pill for a few years and haven't lost any weight. It definitely helped by making my periods almost pain free and much lighter. Unfortunately, the reason for my pain was caused by fibroids which I later learned probably grew from the estrogen in the pill. I wish I had investigated the reason for my painful periods before going on the pill. I could have had the fibroids removed which were the problem and not needed to go on the pill at all. You might want to look further into the cause of the pain. Have you had an ultrasound? It won't diagnose endo but can rule out other possible causes of pain.
But anyways, overall, if you don't have fibroids, the pill will probably make you feel a whole lot less pain.
Take care!
Stacy

sidnee74 · 09-10-2004, 02:15 PM

I had a pelvic ultrasound, exam & Pap that came back normal. I have also had 2 CT scans, xray, kidney u/s, and cystoscopy to rule out a kidney stone. I have been having this pain for about six months. I went to a different doctor yesterday who says my symptoms "scream" endo. He wanted to see if the pill would help first before having to go any further, say with a laproscopy. We'll see. I have the same concerns about the estrogen - especially since the research I've done says that higher estrogen aggravates endo. I don't understand how the pill helps except that it controls your hormones. Do you know what the numbers 7/7/7 mean? The dr said the 1/50 means it has a higher dosage of estrogen then some of the others (50 as opposed to say 35). It's all so confusing to me! But after going this long without any answers I am willing to try it for a few months.

Thanks!
Sidnee