hormonal problems & BCP
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| Thu, 05-20-2004 - 12:02pm |
I turned 30 years old this year and have started experiencing some strange "symptoms" that I at first did not give any attention. Please let me run some of them by you: brain fogginess (inability to concentrate or "find the right word") excessive fatigue (I am very high energy normally, but am now falling asleep during the day and early evening) loss of a normally high sex drive, depressed (crying all the time, moodiness, cranky) lower back pain, frequent urination or the feeling that I am going to wet my pants, or I do wet my pants a bit, rosacea AND complete hives/flushing down my neck and chest (everyone asks me if I am having a reaction. Also, right at the same time this started (after Christmas) my period has become so light that it has almost disappeared (I'm not pregnant). I am sure there are more--oh YES- a 10 pound weight gain that refuses to come off, no matter how I battle my terrible sugar cravings, eat right and do cardio (I am also walking a few miles a few times a week which is new for me). It seems to be right on my stomach, too.
I experienced a large weight gain when I was 20 and took the pill (60 pounds) which I managed to lose. I was off for a while, went back on and have been now taking Lo-Ovral for about 2 years. I asked my OBGYN and she said she thinks side effects would occur in the beginning, but... I have been reading a book (I'm sorry, I don't have it with me right this moment) and it explains, in detail, how hormones effect the female body. I switched to Yasmine a month and a half ago, and also took supplements for adrenal problems and I feel a little better with the fatigue. But, nowhere near normal. I keep getting small red raised dots on the sides of my face (where I never break out) and they are not like normal acne, nor do they disappear quickly. I recently visited the dermotologist for rosacea (which is minimal but noticeable on my pale white skin).
I also have an appointment with a PCP and my OBGYN tomorrow. I want to stop taking BCP. I am thinking of trying a diaphragm.
To all of you out there, do these problems seem like they could be happening because of the pill? I know something is out of whack-- I thought thyroid, but I don't have all of the symptoms like coldness and hair loss.
I know many people have worse problems, but I don't like being a red faced, pimple, crying moody bloated wreck either. Any information would be appreciated!!! Thank you in advance :)
Jennifer

Edited 5/20/2004 3:31 pm ET ET by girlnumber2
Edited 5/20/2004 3:53 pm ET ET by girlnumber2
When all this started I was 27 and I'd been on the pill for five years, and the pill I'd been taking for four years (Loestrin) started being not-the-right-pill about six months prior to the switch to Triphasil. Your body's hormone production changes throughout your life, side effects realistically can start at any time though it's not common.
When you see your PCP, describe your symptoms--they are consistent with thyroid problems among other things and those are easy to find with a simple blood test. If the blood tests come back normal, then you can stop worrying about your thyroid! When you see your GYN, be prepared for the diaphragm idea to be pooh-poohed, that's what my gyn did when I brought up getting a cervical cap. He told me to try condoms first and see if the hormones really were the problem (he obviously doesn't know my fiance...). I want to get off hormones too, but for right now, not being pregnant is more important.
Good luck, let us know how things go!
Co-cl for Birth Control
I am very lucky because the nurse practitioner at my OBGYN's office is GREAT. She was concerned and completely understood my desire to try a non hormonal birth control. She fitted me with a diaphragm immediately, even said that is what she chose back when it was not as popular, just as it is now. She was very helpful and supportive. I am also having a battery of tests ran to make sure it is not my thyroid or anything.
One other weird thing, my eyes are also screwed up. I saw the eye doctor today. He says they are both inflamed and irritated, specially both lids. *sigh* I wonder where it all fits into place. But, anyway, I am eliminating the pill first to see if it helps.
Thanks,
Jennifer