Contents:
- Medical Video: Birth Control Pills
- Overview of PCOS
- Choice of birth control pills for PCOS
- Combination Pill
- Progestin birth control pill
- Choices besides birth control pills for PCOS
Medical Video: Birth Control Pills
Most women with PCOS use hormonal contraception to help reduce and treat symptoms of PCOS. One of the most popular hormonal contraceptives for controlling symptoms of PCOS is the birth control pill. Find out about a variety of birth control pills for PCOS in this article.
Overview of PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or also often referred to as polycystic ovary syndrome is a disorder of hormonal imbalance in women of childbearing age. This condition causes women with PCOS to experience irregular menstrual periods, increased male hormone levels (androgens) in a woman's body, and the appearance of small cysts (fluid-filled bags) in their ovaries.
In addition, PCOS can also cause excessive hair growth, acne, and obesity. If PCOS is not treated immediately, over time it will lead to more serious conditions, such as difficulty getting pregnant and the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Until now, the causes of PCOS are still unknown, but experts believe that hereditary factors have a major contribution to the condition.
Choice of birth control pills for PCOS
PCOS cannot be cured. Even so, the symptoms can be controlled, one of which uses oral hormonal contraception. Oral contraception overcomes hormonal imbalances by increasing estrogen levels and reducing the amount of testosterone produced by the body.
There are two types of oral contraceptives, namely estrogen and progestin combination pills (synthesis of progesterone), or only progestin. Both types of contraception are equally effective for treating the symptoms of PCOS.
Combination Pill
Several choices of combination birth control pills for PCOS include:
- Alesse
- April
- Aranelle
- Aviane
- Enpresse
- Estrostep
- Lessina
- Levlen
- Levlite
- Levora
- Loestrin
- Mircette
- Natazia
- Nordette
- Lo / Orval
- Ortho-Novum
- Ortho Tri-Cyclen
- Yasmin
- Yaz
Some pills, such as Loestrin, have lower estrogen levels. This low estrogen level can reduce the severity of some PCOS side effects but is also less effective against several other PCOS symptoms.
That is why women who have PCOS should consult a gynecologist to get the right treatment for your needs.
Progestin birth control pill
Although classified as safe, unfortunately not everyone can take combination birth control pills. Because some women develop negative side effects when taking combination birth control pills. If this happens, you might be able to switch to a progestin birth control pill.
For some women, progestin birth control pills may be a better choice to help deal with PCOS. This is because progestin birth control pills tend not to cause many side effects compared to combination birth control pills. However, if in fact this progestin birth control pill causes side effects for you, these side effects are not much different from the side effects of using combined birth control pills.
Din many cases, the doctor may recommend that the patient try the progestin birth control pill first. If the progestin birth control pill does not work effectively, then the patient is advised to use a combination birth control pill. That is why, it is important for you to always consult a doctor regarding various treatments that you will do.
Choices besides birth control pills for PCOS
The use of birth control pills is not for everyone, because there are some women who feel uncomfortable taking it every day. Even so there are alternatives to birth control pills for PCOS, namely:
- Injection KB
- Patch (KB patch)
- Vaginal ring
- Implants
- IUD (spiral KB) combined with progestin
There are also other alternatives, including:
- Progesterone therapy. You can do this therapy for 10 to 14 days every one to two months. This treatment does not prevent pregnancy or improve androgen levels, but can help reduce your PCOS symptoms.
- Metformin. Medications for type 2 diabetes can reduce insulin levels, androgens and increase your insulin resistance. Usually, women who experience PCOS experience insulin resistance. Well, metformin drugs can be used to treat this. It's good to consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
