I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT NEXT WEEK TO SEE A NEW OB GYN (ACTUALLY THEIR NURSE PRACTITIONER). MOST DOCS JUST WANT ME TO GO ON BCP. I'M ALMOST 39, AND FEELING PERIMENOPAUSAL FOR YEARS NOW. MY PMS IS WORSE THAN EVER, INSOMNIA, PALPS, MOODY, ANXIOUS, DEPRESSED (BECAUSE OF FEELING LIKE @?*!), MIGRAINES, BODY ACHES. I'VE HAD HORMONE TESTING IN THE PAST (SALIVA AND SERUM). THEY JUST SAY ITS PRETTY NORMAL, JUST A LITTLE HIGH ON ESTROGEN AND MY SALIVA CORTISOL LEVELS WERE THROUGH THE ROOF. I'VE BEEN READING THAT BCP (ESP. A LITTLE HIGHER ON THE ESTROGEN) HELPS EVEN OUT THE HORMONES, BUT WITH MY AGE, HISTORY OF MIGRAINES AND A LITTLE OVERWEIGHT AND A FAMILY HX OF HEART DISEASE AND STROKE, I'M NERVOUS. THATS ONE OF MY OTHER PROBLEMS,,,HEALTH ANXIETY. I WANT SOMETHING TO HELP, BUT AM AFRAID TO TAKE ANYTHING. I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT THE NURSE WILL DO. PROBABLY MORE BLOOD WORK, BUT IF SHE WANTS ME TO GO ON HORMONES, WHAT WOULD YOU GIRLS DO. I AM SO TIRED OF FEELING LIKE CRAP AND FEELING LIKE I'M MISSING OUT ON LIFE, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS , A FEW WEEK OF THE MONTH, I FEEL OK, THATS WHY IF FEEL ITS HORMONAL. SORRY TO RAMBLE, I JUST NEED SOME ADVICE AND TO VENT. THANKS

Your dr may prescribe a low dose bcp.I take sprintec and it has helped a lot.However,it will depend on your health and history.Evening primrose is an herb that helps bad PMS-I have taken it and it helps quite a bit.I have migraines and still take the bcp.Hope you feel better!GOD-bless

I just started Otho tri cyclen low this past saturday when I started my cycle for the exact same things your going through and because I have had 3 cycles in less than 30 days.I tried YAZ before for about 3 days and it made me feel weird and very low so I stopped.So far it's okay.I think it caused me to have a horrendous flow this month seeing as how since Jan. my cycles are more like spotting.I had have had a little bit of blurry vision off and on and today I was a lil weepy and tired but I normally and am like that during my cycle so who knows for sure if it's the Pill or just me.I am going to give it a good two month run because that is how long it will take to completely suppress my own ovarian function so that I am only getting the set dose of hormones through the pill.I am pretty sure it may be a rough ride until then since I will be getting my own supply of hormones plus what the pill gives me which can= Hormone Roller Coaster but I have not had any night sweats since taking it and I usually have them everynite the week before and during my cycles, so that's a plus right there ! I too have migraines have been getting them ever since I got my stupid Tubal ligation in 2000( which I believe sent me into Peri too early, sorry another rant ).However, they have decreased considerably over the past 6 months so I know its hormones.I have had a slight headache everyday that I have taken the pill but not a migraine and not too bad, more like a tension headache but I am riding it out to see how it goes.My doc originaly gave me Yaz because my Testosterone is high but that pill did not work well for me and I think it needs to be researched more.Ultimately I chose an old timer BCP , one that has been around for ever and one I had taken in my teen years and early 20's before my tubal and I had no problems with, it is a much lower dose than then but still the same brand. anyhow just wanted to share my experience with you.You never know what works unless you try it.

I am 40 years old and switched to YAZ bcp two months ago. It helped tremendously with my moods and such. However, I have noticed that my boobs feel heavier and more swoolen although not sore...my bras don't fit right. I'm thinking it's a side effect, but if that's the only one, I can live with it...they were strating toget sagging anyway The only difference is I have no history of heart disease or anything like that so I would discuss all that with your doctor and go from there. Good luck.

Hi Shelby,

I took BCPs until I was 52 (not specifically for peri) and I've had a remarkably easy transition to menopause. I had some hot flashes, some irritability and some vaginal dryness issues (recently) but otherwise have basically sailed through mostly unscathed. I'm sorry ladies, not trying to make anyone feel bad! I'm just saying I really think the BCP helped me get through what would have likely been a much more difficult time. My mother had a horrible time going through peri and I expected to be just like her but wasn't. I had two years of miserable, heavy, painful periods for about 2 years and then they abruptly just stopped. Nothing nada, zilch since. I think if you went with a low dose BCP you'd be fine but talk this over with your Dr. and see what he/she thinks about your risks. Like I said, I was fine up to age 52 when I went off of them and they really did help me. Good luck, I hope you find a solution!!!
(((((hugs to you Shelby)))))

Just watch how you feel, and be sure to discuss your feelings w/your doctor.

In my mid 30's they tired to put me back on the pill, very low dose, but I couldn't handle them no more (see I had been on them most of my life due to endometriosis); they made me very nausea and ahhh. I stuck it out for two months then gave them up. Then they tried Depo-provera, you get the shot once every three months. The first shot was great, and for the 1st two months I felt AWESOME, then 3rd month felt horrible. Tried it one more time, same thing, but again the 3rd month was the worst. It makes sense to me now realizing that I must be lacking progesterone, the 3rd month must of been the progesterone coming down. I so wish back in the day they had bio-identical, or if they did I knew about them, but I didn't.

Perhaps ask your dr why you couldn't do a bio-identical, I would. Also just my opinion on the Depo, if they ever wanted to do that, I would stay away. It was a while ago for me, but I could not stand the 3rd and final month, horrible. Also gained 25 lbs in 6 months, and took 3 years to get it off ....

Do some research, look at your options, one thing that I am learning about healthcare, we are own best advocate. One thing we all have is intuition, if your gut is telling you to be cautious, or you don't feel comfortable w/what the doctor is telling you, then by all means get a second opinion, because you are so worth it, and no one knows you like you do. There are alot of great articles out there on the options to the pill, so do a little research. At 42, and a smoker (yea yea I know), I would not take the pill, besides my body rejected them in the end anyway.... But each of us is an individual, and each of our bodies are unique.

Best of luck, and remember knowledge is power!

Dear 'shelby'
Sorry you have been feeling so poorly and yes it is time you got some help.
Ultimately only you can make the decision about going on BCP but remember every drug,even the innocent little Asprin can cause problems.
For me I chose quality over quantity.Did my research,as no Doctor seemed to know much,and opted for the HRT.That together with Yoga have been my life savers.Was Post-Menopausal at 39 and had no intention crawling around sweating and anxious for the rest of my life.I stopped smoking,cut the caffeine and sugary products to a minimum,also no alcohol-Yes I admit I am a really boring person!-but I got my life back
You are entitled to enjoy life not just drag yourself through.So check out all your options and then make a decision.
Rambling is good!It means you are considering all sides of the Menopausal Equation and sine I was stupid at Math gave the HRT a fair try.

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR INPUT. I'M JUST AT WITS END. I FEEL I'M ABOUT TO GET A MIGRAINE. GRRR! IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO KNOW THAT YOU WOMEN UNDERSTAND. SO FAR, BESIDES, THIS SITE, NO ONE REALLY SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND AND I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE THINK I'M A WHACKO HYPOCHONDRIAC (HECK, I DO SOMETIMES!) MY HUSBAND IS NICE ABOUT IT, BUT I'M SURE IT GETS ANNOYING. I JUST WANT TO BE A GOOD WIFE, MOM, FRIEND AND DAUGHTER, BUT I FEEL LIKE I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING UP TO MY FULL POTENTIAL WHEN I FEEL LIKE CRUD SO MUCH. THANKS AND KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exactly!!!! Could not of put it any better than you just did! With so many in this world going through the same thing, but some how when I meet some one who is either going thru the change, or already in menopause, I always get the same response, oh not me I was just fine, just sailed right thru it. I just walk away think what the fetch. I really sometimes wonder if alot of ppl do experience the same thing, but just dare not to say anything. that is why I thank God for this site each and everyday!!!! Everyone is great!!!

WELL I WENT TO MY APPOINTMENT. THE DR PUT ME ON YAZ TO HELP WITH SOME OF MY EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FLUCTUATING HORMONES. I'M SCARED, BUT I THINK I'M GOING TO BITE THE BULLET AND TRY. I'M TIRED OF FEELING LIKE A BUCKET OF %$**!!!!! WISH ME LUCK AND SAY A PRAYER FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck Shelby~
Pleae let me know how you are feeling after the first couple weeks being on YAZ...I'm just curious to see the difference in the way it affects you as to how it affects me...hopefully all good. I noticed a difference within just the first two weeks.
Btw - my first period after being on them was hardly a period at all...bascially about 3 days of spotting. No back ache or cramping either. I'm due for my next period in a week so I'll be curious to see if it's the same scenario this time.