I get night sweats a few times a month (near ovulation and again near my period).  I was put on Alesse birth control pills as a way to regulate my increasingly erratic periods and perimenopause symptoms.  I took my first month's worth this month but have had night sweats every single night!  Closer to my ovulation I was drenched and other times just really wet.  I am no on the 4th day of my "sugar" pills and still having night sweats.

Do night sweats on the pill mean they are not working or is it just too early to tell????  My husband said that the first pack is going to be out of whack since my hormones are freaking out. Next month should be better.

Any thoughts???

Thanks....

Hi Toobusy...  I am not specifically sure about BC pills, but do know that estrogen replacement usually alleviates hot flashes and night sweats almost immediately, and when they are discontinued, they return almost immediately, too.  When I began HRT, mine were gone within one day, as well as my other peri symptoms.  I would think that BC pills would react similarly, especially since they are stronger doses of hormones than HRT.  I am thinking you might want to make the doctor who prescribed the BC pills aware of this problem.  I am wondering how your husband knows this...is he a doctor?   If so, you are lucky!!  

Toobusy

Just ran across your entry of (I think) January.  Birth Control pills consist of two hormones; a synthetic estrogen and a synthetic progestin.  The estrogen ingredient in all birth control pills is basically the same (ethinyl estradiol).  It is the progestin that gives a pill whatever uniqueness it has; in other words, the particular progestin that a pharmaceutical company uses is what sets it apart from other pills.  There are many different types of progestin, the one in Alesse is called LEVONORGESTREL (look at your package insert.)  This particular progestin, I have found through friends and family members is very bothersome, in that it causes severe hot flashes, weight gain and migraines.  I have found this to be true in the case of; two sisters, 3 co-workers, a neighbor and two nieces.  Literally all women experienced relief once transferring to another pill.  My two sisters transferred to Desogen, my nieces transferred to Ortho TriCyclen, my neighbor changed to OrthoCyclen.  Another pill that I have found to have negative effects, when used long term, is Loestrin , I don't know why because the estrogen content is very low, but I have heard a lot of complaints about this one too.  

I only know this because while beginning menopause, I became extremely interested in everything having to do with hormones and began devouring information about them and asking any women who was willing, to share information.

Anyway, ask your doctor about another pill and let me know how it works out.

Evah