Bioidenticals or BCP, Which route is best? Options

[Karlie]

I am 41 and have suffered from what I believe to be perimenopause symptoms for 2 years. I had a thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer 5 years ago and I believe this pushed me into an early peri. My periods have been coming closer together and have experienced extreme anxiety, depression, weepiness, fatigue. My gyno had started me on Yaz, but I was spotting quite a bit the second month, so she has now switched me to Yasmin which has a higher estrogen content, but after only 3 days on it I am feeling more fatigue, depression, etc. My gyno feels that in early peri the BCP is the way to go because it needs to shut down my ovaries and the BCP give a even dose. How does it work with Bioidenticals? I think she would be willing to go that route if I had a good explanation. Also, I have a history of bipolar disorder in my aunt and uncle and have heard that you can have a form of bipolar even without the mania. My psychiatrist gave me a screening and said she sees no signs of bipolar. So I guess I have 2 questions:

1. Should I go the bioidentical route and what should I tell my gyno?
2. How does one know if the symptoms are peri or a mental disorder?

Thanks!

[davinci817]

I am not sure why you haven't been told to give it at least three months. Spotting is more apt to happen in the second month than the first. I suffered with anxiety and panic attacks for nearly a year after being on Yasmin after the third month all of that was gone, I cam off of the xanax and prozac thanks to the BCP.

If you haven't already have a read here http://www.power-surge.com/php/forums/inde...showtopic=15257.

[Karlie]

I don't know....my gyno said if I have any spotting at any time to let her know, it's a sign something isn't right. Thanks for the link....I printed it out.

I am not sure why you haven't been told to give it at least three months. Spotting is more apt to happen in the second month than the first. I suffered with anxiety and panic attacks for nearly a year after being on Yasmin after the third month all of that was gone, I cam off of the xanax and prozac thanks to the BCP.

If you haven't already have a read here http://www.power-surge.com/php/forums/inde...showtopic=15257.

[davinci817]

So if it is "a sign that something isn't right" then nearly every woman that takes BCP must have something more wrong with them. Dunno why she would tell you that it means something is wrong. My nurse didn't even let me past her to the Doctor when I complained of spotting in my second month, it is that normal. I just don't see how switching around from pill to pill in a matter of weeks is going to ever help you get leveled out. If I were in your shoes, I would question this.

[plumeria]

Karlie,

I agree with Davinci, I really think you need to give each regimen at least 2 months to work; even on bioidentical hormones I expereinced spotting at times.

Plumeria

[Lady E]

I spotted till the third month,and if you miss a pill you will spot it says on the product brochure that this is very normal.GODbless

[mrsb76]

I am 41 and have suffered from what I believe to be perimenopause symptoms for 2 years. I had a thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer 5 years ago and I believe this pushed me into an early peri. My periods have been coming closer together and have experienced extreme anxiety, depression, weepiness, fatigue. My gyno had started me on Yaz, but I was spotting quite a bit the second month, so she has now switched me to Yasmin which has a higher estrogen content, but after only 3 days on it I am feeling more fatigue, depression, etc. My gyno feels that in early peri the BCP is the way to go because it needs to shut down my ovaries and the BCP give a even dose. How does it work with Bioidenticals? I think she would be willing to go that route if I had a good explanation. Also, I have a history of bipolar disorder in my aunt and uncle and have heard that you can have a form of bipolar even without the mania. My psychiatrist gave me a screening and said she sees no signs of bipolar. So I guess I have 2 questions:

1. Should I go the bioidentical route and what should I tell my gyno?
2. How does one know if the symptoms are peri or a mental disorder?

Thanks!

I agree with the others. I would stay with the BCP for a while to give them a chance. The only reason I went off them was because my blood pressure went up and they took me off. 3-6 months would seem reasonable to give them a chance to work.

I think if your psychiatrist gave you the ok about bipolar, I wouldn't worry about it. Look at all the symptoms on here that peri causes and it's no wonder you worry about it!

The bios have less estrogen than bcp's but I think I would stick with them for a while and see what happens. If after 3 months you continue to get the symptoms, have her switch you to a lower estrogen pill. There are many out there.

Good luck!

[catrinac]

I went on Orthocyclen 4 years ago at age 33 for perimenopausal symptoms and acne. It's helped but I think I'd rather switch to biodenticals in my 40s even though I've read everywhere that you "can" stay on the pill as a form of cheap HRT. Recently I've been looking at books by Uzzi Reiss, an MD who says he'd rather treat patients with natural hormones rather than the OCs. It's worth thinking about. I had good sleep until recently on it, minimal weight gain, and my skin is totally clear. I just don't feel great... most days I feel OK but in general I think the artificial hormones do as much harm as good. I'm waking up early in the morning the last 6 weeks, my sex drive is gone, and I'm losing hair. Here are a couple of good websites... Dr. Reiss is more or less against BCPs, Dr. Vliet is for them and prescribes them the way many doctors do. If you listen to her radio archives she has a show on there about hormones and skin. She had a caller who called in and said she went on bioidenticals at my age which is 38 and people told her she looked younger. People used to tell me I looked young, a few years ago, but not lately.

http://www.uzzireissmd.com/

http://www.herplace.com/