| Need Help With BC |

||Larissa|| · 05-15-2006, 09:52 AM

Hi

Ive recently been told by my doctor that I need to go on BC pills for around 6 months in order to regulate my menstral cycle.

Ive never taken BC pills before but had heard and read about the side effects such as yellowing of the skin, weight gain, mood swimgs and acne.

Just wondering what people have experienced here with taking BC and what's the worst side effect you've had? Are BC pills that safe to take?

Thanks.

BorderGirl · 05-15-2006, 10:55 AM

I take the pill (Mircette) because when I don't I either don't have a period for months, or I have a period every month and bleed for 12 days. It has definitely improved my quality of life, though it has taken me some time to find a pill that I can tolerate the side effects.
One thing I want to mention is that while the pill will give you regular bleeding, it won't cure any underlying problems. So I think it is essential to figure out what is wrong before you start taking the pill and covering up the problem. In my case, its a pituitary tumor. If I had gone with my first doctor's advice and just started taking the pill without any testing, I wouldn't know I have it and I wouldn't be getting regular MRIs, and I wouldn't have doctors watching me closely to know when its time for surgery. So make sure they figure out what is wrong

||Larissa|| · 05-15-2006, 11:30 AM

Thanks BorderGirl.

I forgot to mention, the pill my doctor recommened is Juliet 35-ED. Which I'm told is the same as Diane 35-ED and Brenda 35-ED.

I posted my problem here: [url]http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=390238[/url] as a reply to someone else.

Basically my hormones have become unbalanced. They think it's from excessive amounts of stress, which sounds about right. I've had an ultrasound on my pelvis and everything came up clean.

I'm now starting to think if there isn't some sort of natural substance i could take to get my hormones back in order instead of taking the pill. There's just something that doesn't feel right in taking it but i dont know why im so scared.

aspirinpm · 05-15-2006, 03:05 PM

I took kariva and it gave me acne. i had never even had it before. so i switched to yasmin and haven't experienced any side effects what-so-ever.

BorderGirl · 05-15-2006, 03:43 PM

There are natural ways to try to balance hormones. But it can take a little investigating to find a doctor to help. Diane-35 isn't available in the U.S. so I can't tell you much about that. There is a higher risk of blood clots with that pill. Do they want to put you on that because of high testosterone? Spironolactone is a good alternative and it can restore periods for some women. Its still a prescription but in my opinion is safer than the pill.
My problem is somewhat stress related... my pit tumor increases my cortisol level. I've had amazing success with pharmaceutical grade fish oil. It makes me feel a million times better.
Like I said, the pill isn't all bad. Its a great quick fix for me until I need surgery. So good luck with whatever you decide.