Hi Ladies,

Just curious if anyone is taking birth control pills, and if that helps your peri symptoms. I have just found a wonderful new ob/gyn who actually seems to understand perimenopause (wonder of wonders) and she thinks it might be a good idea for me to try a low-dose BCP.

I am 42 and I have endometriosis, otherwise I am thankfully in good health. The doc was thinking that the BCP would alleviate symptoms of both the endo and peri, and she told me that if one pill doesn't seem like a good fit, we can try another.

So, if BCP do work for you, how do they help? Which one do you take? Any unpleasant side effects?

Thanks for your help!

I was having very severe cramping about 3 weeks out of the month for some strange reason. Dr. prescribed the BCP and it worked! Don't know if I had an unpleasant side effects or not. I started an AD at the same time and have had continuous weight gain since then, so I do not know what to attribute it to. Can't hurt to try it, I suppose.

I am 45 and this spring was hit by a full buffet of peri symptoms: Vag/bladder irritation, panic attacks, hot flashes/chills, nauseau, doom and anxiety, and the accompanying menstrual irregularities. Why does no one warn us about this?

I started on Celexa (SSRI) and Microgestin (a low dose bcp) and I am feeling MUCH better after two months on both...Almost like my old self. My one side effect is the progestin is I think irritating my bladder still but I feel so much better I am hesitant to change pills.

It took me a few weeks to notice the improvement after starting on the bcps. It can take a few cycles to really see its full effects.

There is an older thread on this same topic--pro and con--you might find helpful too.

Hi there,

I was put on Yaz(yasmine) bcp for nearly 3 months.........helped in some areas......made some areas worse.......definitely give it a go though, because if it helps.......excellent!!

I also have endo, and it helped with that(pain wise and heavy bleeding wise).......I still got terrible PMS though.......

Give it a go babe........you never know! Glad you have a good gynea........mine is great too.

Let us know what happens.....

Michah

I am on Sprintec(bcp)and actually feel human again.It is the third pill I tried and it is a blessing.Go for it.GOD-bless

Thanks for the advice! I'll give it a go and let you know what happens.

You guys are the best!

I tried a low dose bcp for my perimenopause symptoms, too but my anxiety was already so bad that I just couldn't tough it out the two or three months for my body to adjust. I really wish I had. Maybe I would be feeling better by now. Just keep in mind that the bcp can make some symptoms worse for the first couple cycles (but not always). I just have that kind of luck. Let me know which bcp your doctor recommends and how it goes.

Ang