Dipity are you still out there? - Menopause Message Board

Hopefully · 09-29-2004, 05:00 PM

Dipity how are you doing? I'd like to get your input on Microgestin causing elevated glucose levels and the Ortho Evra birth control patch.

Hope you're doing well

.

dipity200 · 09-29-2004, 06:41 PM

Hi Hopefully,

Yes, some pills (like Microgestin) can cause IR a bit as they are high in progestin. That's the key. However, I think one has to be somewhat already inclined to have IR in the first place for that to happen. You can always ask for something with little progestin in it like Ovcon 35 (it has the lowest progestin but has 35 mcgs of estrogen) or Alesse which has 20mcsgs but very little progestin.

There's a book called "Managing Contraceptive Pill Patients" by Richard Dickey, MD. This book is revised all the time as new studies come out. It's been out since the 70s. Doctors use it ALL the time for refs. It has all the studies in it (and the recent ones) re IR, diabetes, heart disease and BC pills. This how I learned what I know and it's been very helpful. You can order it from emispub.com.

The patch would be good as there will be less effect on the liver, etc. The best thing to try in your case I think is the Nuvaring. Go to Nuvaring.com. It's put into the vagina for 3 weeks then removed for one week. Check it out.

I'm doing good as well. It was good to hear from you. I hope this gets worked out. Write back for more info if needed.

Take care,
Dip

Hopefully · 09-29-2004, 07:23 PM

Hello Dipity, it's good to know that you are still around. For years I've dealt with hypoglycemia which became worst with the onset of perimenopause. After researching and reading:

Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolic Effects
Oral contraceptives have been shown to cause glucose intolerance in a significant percentage of users (23). Oral contraceptives containing greater than 75 mcg of estrogens cause hyperinsulinism, while lower doses of estrogen cause less glucose intolerance (71). Progestogens increase insulin secretion and create insulin resistance, this effect varying with different progestational agents (23,72). However, in the non-diabetic woman, oral contraceptives appear to have no effect on fasting blood glucose (73). Because of these demonstrated effects, prediabetic and diabetic women should be carefully observed while taking oral contraceptives.

I knew that my elevated levels had to be related to the Microgestin. When I spoke with my doctor she first suggested that I stop taking birth control pills, but I told her that I was unable to do that...so she suggested Ortho Evra. Although the Ortho Evra sounds great at this point in my hormone life I can not go a week without hormones. Two days is my max. then all those ugly symptoms start returning (spacey, anxiety, nervous, mood swings, chronic fatigue...).

So now we've decided to try the 1/20 again and see if things improve. Meanwhile I'm having blood work done, again, to check for diabetes. I had this done twice last year because of my very low glucose level and both tests came back negative.

I will check into purchasing the book that you mentioned. It definitely has some invaluable information. Maybe I'll get a copy for my RE since she seemed a little shocked to hear that I suspected the Microgestin was affecting my levels. Also, her suggestionthat I go without any hormones made me a bit upset. After all my symptoms, that we've discussed, I'm really surprised that she would even make such a suggestion.

Thanks again!

dipity200 · 10-01-2004, 04:41 PM

Hi Hopefully,

Well, it is a good idea to check for diabetes like you're doing as the study says, women who don't have the predisposition don't usually have problems like this with BC pills. You could just be really sesitive too.

I agree on the not going off the hormones. That would be a nightmare. Yikes. I can't imagine even taking the chance of going back to what I had before. Whew!

Let me know how it goes with your testing. Hoping all is well.

Take care,
Dip

Hopefully · 10-02-2004, 04:15 PM

Dipity, this is off the subject of IR, but this is day 3 without Microgestin an I'm doing better than I've done the last 3 months. I have mild pms, but not the spaciness, crying spells...you know the rest. I remember you saying that the longer I remain on these bcp the less symptoms will return on my week off. Of course I plan to start back tomorrow. Maybe next month I'll try going 4 days.