Hi all, I have been having symptoms for a few months, I am 43. PMS is horrible, emotions off the wall. I went to the doctor yesterday and he said after we get all the blood work back, barring anything weird, he would like me to consider low dose oral contraceptives (loestrin, mircette or alesse)...I have never taken birth control pill and was wondering what you all thought of his idea. Please reply as I need some feedback on this, I am very uneducated about this and have been reading books like mad but I like to hear from 'real' folks. (FYI: I have been on zoloft for years)Thanks.

tinabrul, I'm so glad you started this thread. I went on the pill 4+ years ago when I was 39. I guess that's when I started menopause...my periods just went wacky. Loestrin evened out my periods wonderfully. The other meno stuff has been getting crazy lately, though. Hot flashes (just a couple) mood swings, sweaty, sleepless, hair thinning, depressed, cramps, sore boobs...I am not sure whether the pill is helping or not with all that stuff.

This month I quit taking it (I am extremely healthy, and would love to go through meno without any meds or anything). So far so good. I read recently that taking too much estrogen without balancing out progesterone can lead to cancers...a study done by two med schools. So at this point I am wondering if the pill may be doing more harm than good, and I'm going to see how I do without it.

I would love someone a bit more educated to provide some info on this as I too am pretty ignorant about it. Thanks!

knowing that we all react diff. to drugs..heres my view on bc pills..i was put on a low dose bc pill in sept. to regulate periods (this is all when i was really sick, found power surge etc.etc..all those tests to rule out stuff ..and it came back as perimen. stuff..diagnosed by a neurologist)..anyway..gyn. says take these bc pills..well i took 2 of them..and thats how i ended up in the er..and all the stuff (sick sick sick) really started to happen..quit them in 2 wks..many yrs. ago..in early 20's took bc pills..always sick feeling too..but never like this..you may not react in this way to bc pills..but just be aware that some of us can..neurologist says don't take them ...(for me)...

Yikes, wildflowers! You poor thing. I know there can be many side effects with the pill, though I think they've gotten better over the years. I never had any sorts of problems, thankfully.

My mom had a big blood clot that she had to have surgically removed, back in the late '70s. At the time it was attributed to the pill...she has low BP, wasn't smoking, & is ridiculously healthy. No such thing as the perfect drug!

Thanks guys, you know, this was the first time I went to this doctor, my old gyn retired a few years ago and I can't find anyone to fill his shoes..he was so awesome..but, anyway, this new doctor said that many women come back after 3 months on them and cry in his office about how wonderful they feel, that they have their life back.  I feel like if I don't do that, then I need something else concrete, cause really, I can't live with the pms that I get 2 weeks before my period, that lasts a full two weeks. He spent a good hour with me, talking and doing an exam, but gosh, I don't want to end up worse!  Maybe some more people will reply with good results...do you think there is another area here that I should post this question...it's like I want everyone to see it and what if they don't visit this catagory?

what do you thinktina

I have a book called "I can't believe its menopause" and the author (MD) advocates low does pills, especially for peri. And until recently I used to go to Planned Parenthood for my annuals, and it is their standard recommendation. For those who are leery about doctors, Planned Parenthood is very "woman friendly" and all their doctors & nurse practitioners are women, for what its worth.

I would guess that the percentage of women who have problems these days on low dose pills are fairly low.  I say try it out for three months; if you don't like it, quit.

About the same time I started taking the pill, I also upped my soy intake a great deal. For all I know, that's what made a difference. Apparently Asian women don't report nearly the problems we do here; one theory is the better diet, lots of soy, less sugar, etc. Since my metabolism slowed down & I can't eat like a horse any more (darn) I have changed my diet for the better. Can't hurt!

thanks, if the doc says I can, I am going to try it. I'll keep ya' posted.tina

t ina..try the low dose bc pills..if you have a reaction to it..you will know within a few days..believe me. Then i would rec. stopping them.  The years ago when i took bc pills..i  felt "gaggy" a lot and stuff..well our daughter was born 15 yrs. ago..and sure enough all 9 months i had that "gaggy" feeling..(every morning for about an hour)..morning sickness..(all but 4 days i had this..i marked those 4 days on the calendar LOL..also morning sickness...during labor and the MORNING AFTER her delivery..)hormones..and this last time..same thing only much much worse..so i guess i'm one of those that my body reacts in not a good way to hormones racing around in there..and with the synthetic..for now i'm taking vitamins, supplements and revival shakes..and it all seems to be working..regular periods again..no gaggy feeling etc.etc..but try them..for you it might work..we all react diff....this last time..i stayed on them 2 weeks..every day..sick sick sick..(gyn. says keep taking them..body will get used to the pills)..i finally said..to myself..this is not right...i listened to  my body not his words..try them and see, okay?

thanks Wildflowers, I had blood taken today and I guess the doc will get the results next week, and then let me know if he thinks that will help.  I am so emotional! I have to try something or I may run away from home and hide in a cave somewhere forever. I get overwhelmed so easily....thanks for caring, it does help.tina

Tina... I just wanted to let you know that there are some excellent posts within the past few days by Evah on this very subject on the "Palpitations, Arythmias, PVC's and Punding Heart" message board.  I think there is some good information there you might like to see, since you have been asking for feedback.  

I don't personally have any, except I am wondering why you would consider "low dose" bc pills, which is a higher dosage of hormones than HRT, otherwise the same thing?  If you really want a "low dose", HRT is a much lower dose, and bio-identicals are much safer.  Maybe you might want to check out the transcripts here with Pete Heuseman of College Pharmacy.... good information there.

Kalanie, the only reason I was considering low dose pills was that was what the doctor recommended. I got the impression that it was lower than HRT, was I wrong??? (I guess so since thats what you said). I will ask him about it since I obviously would like to start on little doses rather than the 'big guns'....I will also check out the readings you suggested. thanks for the reply.tina

tina..i believe from reading here..that bc pills are stronger than hrt (the synthetic stuff)..but many of the ladies here have more knowledge about it..when my time comes or i decide to take something other than what i'm doing now..i'm going for the bio-identical ones. for now revival shakes are helping me., plus vitamins and supplements..

Hi Tina... Yes, HRT is lower dose than BC pills, according to the doctors I have discussed it with.  I think alot of doctors just automatically turn to "low dose" BC pills to hand out because they really don't know all that much about menopause and HRT...some drug company has told them that BC pills can work as an HRT.

Live and learn. I am going to discuss this with my doctor and see if he can give me the stuff that's in the loestrin but at a lower dose, or maybe bio-identical stuff (which I have no idea what that is, but I'll get educated)Shaklee also makes a supplement for women in peri or meno, I will talk to my rep about it and see what it is.

tina

Check out the Revival Soy, too, Tina.  :)

Tina and Everyone,

I've been on Yasmin 28 for 3 months now and I have'nt felt this great in years!!!!  Sure hope it lasts.  This pill has a new progestin in it.  I could not tolerate other pills but this one as been great so far.  There is alot of hope that this pill will become a treatment for severe PMS, which is similiar to peri too.  Good LUCK to you all.

Hi Aquarius, what kind of pill is that? Is it a low dose BC Pill?

Also, Kalanie, I did try revival, and it didn't help with the emotion thing, which is my big problem.  The doctor upped my zolft to 100 mg. per my request and it made the anxiety terrible. I haven't taken any zoloft in 2 days to get it out of my system. Then I will go back on 50 mg. which I have been on for years.  I did buy some magnesium for anxiety per the recommendations page here, and hopefully I will get the blood work results today or tomorrow.  I also am going to start walking 20 minutes a day, and see if that doesn't help. I will keep trying till I find what works, cause I'm not going to live the rest of my live like this.  Yesterday was HARD but today is a new day, a fresh beginning, yadda yadda yadda....love ya all.tina

Hey Aquarius, I just looked up that pill on Yahoo and read about it. If what the doctor gives me doesn't work, I may give it a try. It sounds similar to what he wants me to take anyway. What did you try before that didn't work well for you?tina

Tina,I tried Ortho Novum which had too high progestin then I tried Ovcon 35 which was better but not great then I tried Ortho Cyclen which was really awful for me.  I'm really sensitive to the different progestins and the new progestin in Yasmin was the only one I could tolerate and gave me good relief of the worst symptoms which are insomnia (which makes everything else worse!) anxiety and severe mood swings.  I hope you find the right recipe soon.  We are all so different and react to these things in our own way but don't give up!

My doctor (who is a specialist in menopause, by the way), recommended Loestrin for me back in August. I'm almost 50 and started getting very irregular periods, hot flashes (although not really awful ones) and heart palpitations, along wih awful insomnia. The Loestrin has done away with all of the above. The only thing I found was that the week off the pill, many of those symptoms returned, so he recommended I wear a low dose Climara patch for that week and it's worked out well. Birth control pills *over-ride* your hormones, and are given to perimenopausal women who are still mensturating - even if not regularly - and producing some progesterone. HRT does what it says - *replaces* your hormones because you are so low in supply anymore. I found the Loestrin has given me an almost non-existent period, and in the past 2-3 months I can't really say I got one at all. I checked in with my nurse practitioner today with that issue and she wants me to get my FSH tested on the week I'm off the pill (and no patch either, yikes!) to see if I'm not really in "full blown" menopause and ready to start HRT, if I so choose. - Barbara

Barbara, I would just like to let you know that cycled HRT is also given to many peri women who are still having periods, including myself.  HRT is an even lower dose of hormones than even the lowest dose bc pills.  One does not have to have stopped having periods to take HRT.  I would also suggest you might want to read information here about Pete Heuseman, College Pharmacy, and naturally- compounded bio-identical hormones, which are not synthetic hormones.  Synthetic hormones are not able to be utilized by the body in the same way as our own hormones, and bio-identicals are.  My doctor, who is also a meno specialist, works in conjunction with Pete for my bio-identical HRT therapy, and I have had excellent results in dealing with my peri symptoms.

Good luck with the FSH, and you also might want to consider getting your actual hormone levels tested.  :)

Hi all, I have a question. My blood work came back OK, nothing abnormal.  The doctor is waiting to get  my medical records from my old retired doctor before we get together for treatment options.  I think I am going to print out this whole thread for him. But, the question is, I see several women who take just estrogen, and some use just progestrone, some take a combo...How do you know which a person needs, one or the other or both? Is a blood test the only way to tell? If my blood levels are all good does that mean I don't need anything?  Any light on the subject would be appreciated, this is getting very confusing for my little brain.tina

Tina...

What do you mean that you blood levels are "ok" and "good"?   Do you have any numbers?  What exactly was it that was tested?  In order to know what it is that your body may need, you should have a baseline reading of your hormone levels.  Among the hormones that should be checked are estriol, estradiol, estrone, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA, and LH.  FSH level testing is not enough, and is very often totally unreliable.  And, blood testing is certainly not the only way to tell... saliva tests are far more accurate than blood tests, with the exception of LH, which has to be tested through the blood.  

HRT is not a one size fits all kind of thing-- all of our bodies deplete and utilize these hormones in different ways, so we need to have some individualized kinds of help with this.  Generally speaking, our bodies usually slow down on progesterone output first, creating symptoms that come with estrogen dominance, so progesterone replacement is often essential.  The old school theory was that women did not need progesterone to oppose estrogen replacement, if they no longer have a uterus, but that theory is changing.  Many docs now believe that progesterone should still be replaced to oppose the estrogen, in all cases.  

My suggestion for a good start to help you with the confusion would be to give Pete a call... he will be able to help steer you in the right direction for yourself, and he is more than willing to consult with your doctor.  :)

Thanks Kalanie, that sheds some light on the subject. I don't know exactly what the doctor tested in my blood, I know CBC, Thyroid function, FSH, Estra something and one other thing.  When I get the results, (I will have them Monday) I will post the information or, just call Pete and talk to him.  I would like to think my new doctor is up on the newest and non conventional stuff, but I don't know that for sure.  The other thing I really need to be concerned about is osteoporosis...my mother and grandmother both had it badly, broken hips, etc. etc. So I don't want to experiment to much if it may jepordize that, not too mention that I would like to be done with this PMS from h*ll.....

Thanks for your help.tina

While we are on the subject would anyone be able to advise me? I have taken Femodene before and never had a problem with it but since having my last child and realising that the peri meno is apon me I got put back on it,well to cut a long story short I bled every day I was on it and the same happen with deprovera.The gynaes wanted to put me on some injections to regulate the periods but I said no as this had happened with the other ones.Is there a hormone dominance that would expain this? I am rather concerned about taking any hormone related things when they make me bleed constantly (and the rest that goes with it).Has anyone else had this effect? I know that I will need something soon as my pain has started back again and that is hard to put up with.I have been checked for all the things like fibriods and cysts so that's not causing the problem.I can't get a straight answer from the gynaes or gp.They just say "try this instead".Why should I when just stopping the treatment still takes a while for it to wear off? ( esp. the injections.)Thanks for listening, Michelle.

Hi Tina...  How did your blood tests come out and did you ever get to talk to Pete?  

I'm looking forward to hearing how things are going also Tina.  I have "normal" hormone levels through blood tests, but have many symptoms as well as spotting and bleeding for 8 weeks.  Had ultrasound last week which shows nothing wrong and last year a laparoscopy for an ovary removal due to endo and removal of a pollyp as well, where I was thoroughly checked out, through and through.  My doctor says my progesterone fluxing or slowing down is the problem and I can either try to wait and see if the bleeding will stop or take progesterone (Provera). Anyone have any thoughts or been through this? I have the same question as Tina, if hormone levels are normal, how do you manage the  symptoms? In my case bleeding and many others. I'd welcome any advice or thoughts, as I have little experience. I  do trust my gyno's abilities, but told him I would like to research it a bit.  Kalanie, I read your response to Tina which makes so much sense and probably where I am at, as to what are the logical steps to do next. Thank you, Kate

Hi Kate...

I surely would do some research on progesterone if I were you, before taking Provera.  :)   Provera is a synthetic, progestin, not progesterone, and, I understand, is not a good choice for progesterone replacement.  While it is very logical that your progesterone levels are the culprit here, there are other alternatives to synthetic hormone replacement.  Look around this site... there is alot of information here to be discovered.... as I mentioned to Tina, there are several transcripts of guest chats with Pete Heuseman of College Pharmacy that are very informative.  You can also contact him either by email or a toll free number.  He is very good at what he does about alleviating symptoms, and your symptoms are much better indicators than are blood tests, especially if it is only a blood test for FSH.  Our hormone levels fluctuate wildly, and can give any reading at any given time.  There are also alot of women here who are taking some form of natural progesterone and having good success with it.  Good luck to you on figuring out what is best for you...it may take some work, but can be done!  :)

Vickie, you always say exactly what I'm thinking! You are a great help to the women here. And I so agree with you about the horrors of progestins--they cause so may problems for women. Pete makes my natural progesterone gel and it's great.

Hi Wordgirl.... Oopppsss.... I better slow down a little and let you say some things first!  :biggrin:  I take progesterone in sublingual form (also from Pete), and am doing very well on it too!  I am more than glad I decided to contact him when I did.  :)   Thanks very much for the nice compliment, too.... I have learned so much from so many women here.    :cheesy:

Thanks for your reply Kalanie!  I can see I have my homework to do.  Better start reading Pete's transcripts right away.  Have heard so many good things about him, I guess I should do the same as you and Wordgirl, and give him a call or email.  Thanks for your suggestions.  Kate  

Can someone please tell  me where I can find information on the different symptoms of estrogen dominance and estrogen deficiency?  I am quite confused in regards to symptoms I am having whether they are the result of deficiency or dominance.  Thanks!

Joline, I've read that the obvious signs of too much estrogen are sore, tender breasts and swelling (rings too tight)/bloating. Not enough estrogen, of course, would be hot flashes (but it is said that sometimes that can also be a symptom of progesterone deficiency), night sweats, vaginal dryness, etc. If you read Dr. John Lee, he thinks just about every symptom in menopause is caused by estrogen dominance/lack of progesterone (and maybe he is right, I don't know). I have a half dozen menopause books by leading M.D.'s and they all disagree to some extent on causes and treatments. But they all pretty much agree on the breast soreness/swelling as being excess estrogen (and some believe a ton of other symptoms indicate it). I wish I knew more!

Just wanted to follow up....I started Loestrin one week ago tomorrow, and so far, no side effects. However, I have had a rotten cold, my period, and bad tooth, so I have been a bit distracted.I also had a bone density test that shows I have osteopenia.  I go back to talk to the doctor about that on the 27th of March, and I go to endontist on Tuesday, so I will have this tooth hopefully fixed.I will continue to update on the loestrin and osteopenia. I don't know if this the place to post about that, but if someone does a search (like on did) the message will come up anyway.God bless,tina

Hi all,I went to the gyn and she suggested a low-dose bc pill ( although I had a tubal ligation) for symptoms since my own hormones were "up and down"  my question is bc pills contain MORE estrogen than hrt, why would they be used?  Then Iread that bc pills override your own hormones...why doesn't hrt?  There is no way I am using anything but bio-identicals and I'm also wondering if my osteopath regular doctor might be more open to those than my gyn.  Thanks!

I was recently put on Alesse 28 BCPs for severe perimenopausal symptoms that peaked premenstrually.

I did not last very long, less than two weeks.  ALL of my symptoms were made much worse (insomnia, anxiety, hot flashes, depression) within two days of starting the pill.

I know it's the fluctuation of the hormones that cause the problem, but I feel that if my response was so dramatic, than my levels were probably heading in a direction they really didn't need to be going -- after all, one of these days I'd have to go OFF and I really wouldn't want to be taking THAT big of a ride down the hormone slide!