What kind of birth control is best if you have PCOS?

[minkajane]

Having a baby is not a good idea for us right now, so I need to get on birth control. I have been on Ortho-Tri-Cyclin before, but it exacerbated my depression. I also had the Mirena, but I couldn't use my menstrual cup (it pulled the first one out) and the near-constant spotting got really annoying.

So what should I get? I want something that won't make me gain weight and won't have a long-lasting effect once I decide to discontinue it. I was thinking about the mini-pill, but I read that it has a lot of spotting. I was reading about a weekly anti-androgen pill that's supposed to be good for PCOS, but I don't know if it's available in the US. Any info would be helpful. Thanks!

[mom61508]

Ok I totally feel you on NOT getting pregnant right now but I'm COMPLETELY against the pill. It's so bad for you. It really messed my hormones up and took me 2 years before I could pregnant with DD. I'm sure you have heard this all before but it's so bad for your body. That's one reason IMO ovarian and cervical cancers are so high.

I have been reading a lot about these
http://www.cyclebeads.com/
Have you read about NFP?

[minkajane]

NFP doesn't work with PCOS. My cervical mucus is all over the place, sometimes it seems fertile and it's not and vice versa. Same with BBT. I understand the risks of the pill (one of the reasons I want the mini-pill if possible) but I definitely need something hormonal.

[mom61508]

Hopefully you can find something safe that works for you.
good luck.

[baglady]

I tried the mini pill and had a HORRIBLE expereince with it. I bled constantly and my cycle returned as soon as I got on it (6 weeks pp while EBF). I had to go through a series of ultrasounds to try to find the culprit (ie maybe some remaining placenta), but doc blamed it mini pill. If you do an internet search, there are a ton of people who get pregnant on it (even when taken correctly).

Sorry, I have strong opinions because it was awful. I'll never take any pill again.

What about good old fashoned condoms?

[minkajane]

Originally Posted by baglady

I tried the mini pill and had a HORRIBLE expereince with it. I bled constantly and my cycle returned as soon as I got on it (6 weeks pp while EBF). I had to go through a series of ultrasounds to try to find the culprit (ie maybe some remaining placenta), but doc blamed it mini pill. If you do an internet search, there are a ton of people who get pregnant on it (even when taken correctly).

Sorry, I have strong opinions because it was awful. I'll never take any pill again.

What about good old fashoned condoms?

I will definitely do more reading about the mini pill. I didn't like the Mirena mainly because of the spotting. I'd get it again in a heartbeat if I didn't have that issue. Unfortunately, we can't use condoms. DH is allergic to latex (breaks out and swells) and I'm allergic to polyeurethane (recurring yeast infections). I won't use lambskin because it's against my personal beliefs. So we're left with hormonal.

[baglady]

It is worth looking into. I was on Ortho Tri Cyclene for years with no problem. That was about five years ago. So I guess different things effect different people differently, but there does seem to be a lot of negative info on mini pill.

Good luck finding something that works for you.

[biochick]

Ortho tri cyclen just did horrible things to me after I went off. My doctor thinks bcp are bad bad things for pcos.

That said I have a lot of friends with pcos that do really well with Yasmin and Yaz. I don't know enough about them though and plan on using Mirena.