Has Birth Control Pills Helped Your PMS?

lilsismj · Post by **lilsismj** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:32 am

Hey Ladies --

I am starting my birth control pills tonight, due to the cysts I've been having. I am reluctant to start taking it, because I am scared (there I said it)that the hormones will get worse.

I think of the lesson where the lady with heart trouble was scared to take her medicine, but told herself that it could save her life.

I am trying to keep a good attitude and when I think my above scary thought, I tell myself, that I could really finally get some relief from my PMS -- because it is soooo bad. That would a fabulous thing. In that aspect, this could only be a positive, even though I don't really like taking medicine. Does anyone?

Just wondering if any of you ladies out there have found any relief from PMS through birth control?

Thanks and bless

irisheyes · Post by **irisheyes** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:16 pm

I started taking YAZ about 3 months ago and it seemed to help with my PMS after about 2 months. a week before my period I was anxiety, I would cry, get really angry and I fely like I couldnt control it. Now the day before my period I might cry but ive been like that since I started my period. Its so much better than alot of bc out there. I think some bc can help.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:47 pm

When I was on birth control pills or injections I noticed that my PMS symptoms drastically decreased.

Now that I'm off of them because they caused my blood pressure to increase (there's a predisposition to HBP in my family), I was promptly taken off of birth control meds. Now I'm back to my PMS mood swings.

...I really miss those bc injections.

Just talk to your gynecologist. He/She will probably be able to give you a really good one. (I had to try two out, finding out in the process that I do much better when I have less periods/year.)

xoxo

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:54 am

Hi Lilsis,
I am 39 and was put on birth control last year when my doctor took me off cymbalta (at my urging). Anyway she put me on it to control my mood swings and it does seem to help. It doesn't help with anxiety though

.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:56 am

They helped my PMS, helped my skin stay clear, and also had the benefit of letting you know exactly when to expect your "visitor."

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:08 am

I think it's different for every woman.. I asked the question to two different doctors one said I should be on the new pills you take continuously and only have your period 3-4 times a year and my family doc said we should try to stop them because I had no libido since I was a teenager(I've been taking the pill since I'm 16) I'm now 25. This month I stopped taking the pill complety and for me this has helped because my PMS used to be so severe I barely functionned. It depends on every women but you need to try both options.. This month my libido has increased migraines were less severe so for me it helped stopping it..

Good luck

Jess

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:35 am

You have to find the right birth control for you. I went through 3 of them before I found one that didn't give me any side effects. The first one made me a horrible person lets just say it that way and dry if you get my drift. Not a comfortable feeling walking around like that haha. The 2nd one I was put on totally killed my sex drive. I didn't even want to be touched for a hug, it sucked. The 3rd one has been the best thus far (I've been on it for years). It has eased my PMS, my cysts...can't even remember the last time I had one (yes you can still have them on the pill, I did with the other two) my fibrocystic problem in my breasts have gone away completely. I really love it, but am not looking into an IUD just out of curiosity.

My point...don't get discouraged if this first pill isn't all that you hoped for, there are tons out there and working w/ your GYN you can find the one that works best for you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:42 am

I agree with Tammy, you have to work with your gyn. to find the best one for you. Everyones hormones/levels are different. I started out on ortho-tricyclen, but was getting horrible anxiety around 7-10 days before the sugar pills. So I was switched to Ortho-Novum which is a "monophasic" pill meaning I take the same amount of estrogen everyday, instead of the 3 different levels in the triphasic. So far so good. I still have some PMS stuff, anxiety-heartburn-feeling lightheaded/off balance, but now that I know sort of when to expect it, it has lessened. The skills in the program have helped me to understand that it is just a phase and it will pass.....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:17 am

Yay! It's always helpful to hear that they have helped ladies out there. I asked for Ortho-tricyclen, because I was on that when I was younger and i don't remember having any PMS like I do now. So, I'm hoping since I've had it before it won't affect me too bad.

Ewww...I just disgust trying new meds or having to be on new meds. However, again, what if...my PMS is alleviated. Wouldn't that be something.

Is it easy to tell if your bc is not the right one?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 10:13 pm

Hi girls,
I have anxiety since 1999 and have been on and off several antidepressants, have been on and off the pill. I don´t take antideps anymore because the side effects were always more severe than the positive effects.

I´m 43 and still get my period regularly and have developed severe PMS over the last years, starting a week before my period is due. I´m much more anxious, irritated, don´t sleep well, feel exhausted and vulnerable. But the worst thing is a terrible migraine I get every time which lasts for DAYS. The pain, nausea and the feeling of "can´t go on living anymore..." are something I wouldn´t wish for my worst enemy, like we say here.
So I went to my gyn and let him take a hormone test. To my surprise, everything was okay. However, he recommended to try the pill again (can´t tell you which it is because here in Germany we have different names). I took the pill again (which seems ridicoulos to me because I´m single and don´t have sex!), but can´t tell that it has gotten worse or better. I only know more exactly WHEN it starts.

So I think I will stop taking the pill again as I don´t see any improvement, so why should I stress my body with chemicals....
They say that migraine gets better after menopause, I hope that´s true... hope I don´t have to live with that crap for the rest of my life!!

Susanne