PCOS advice needed please

[golas1964]

My girlfriend and I (both Catholic) have been dating since July 2007. We both are never-married and we have been celibate throughout the relationship. Back in August 2007 she told me that she had PCOS and that her ob/gyn had prescribed both the Apri contraceptive and Metformin.

Starting in January 2008 my girlfriend stopped taking Apri to see what would happen. Now it’s May and she’s had five on-time periods, but her other PCOS symptoms are coming back. (Hair loss on scalp, facial hair growth) She wants to resume taking the Apri pill.

It’s my understanding that with any birth control pill, even Apri, there is still the possibility of an early abortion, where a fertilized egg is created but cannot attach itself to the uterus. I don’t want anything to do with BCPs for that reason. My girlfriend had stopped taking Apri to please me and my deep concerns. Now I don’t know what to do.

What I need, please, is to be directed to information on exactly how Apri works, and if I’m on the right track regarding my understanding of Apri. I know I need the advice of a priest on this, but I’m not quite sure how to go about doing that. What I also need is your prayers, please. Thank You.

 

[sweetpea8319]

Hi,

I’m glad you are seeking advice for your gf. It shows how much you care for her. As for PCOS, I have also struggled with this in the past and was also prescribed the pill to normalize my body. However, as soon as I stopped, my cycles also normalized, which is the greatest concern with PCOS because of the possible creation of cysts. Therefore, as my advice to her, I would suggest if she is cycling normally to stay away from the pills, because not only do they affect her hormone balance (or imbalance), but as you said, they can be abortifacents, a grave concern for her.

As for the symptoms of PCOS, it is true that the hair loss and facial hair growth will come back because she will still have a highter level of testosterone in her body. I was also fighting the facial hair growth, which was a struggle because it was chin hair growth and made me feel insecure (a good reason why she might be wanting to go back to the pill, because the hair was gone). If she wants a permanent fix to get rid of the facial hair, suggest she start electrolysis treatments. It is the only permanent hair removal method that will get rid of the hair. It does take time because there are many layers of hair growth, but I have been doing this a while and my hair is almost gone (thank God!!!).

I have done a lot of research on PCOS, and especially since I did want to avoid pills and hormone medications, I read that there is a natural treatment that helps regulate hormone , such as as a result of PCOS, which as to do with a cream that is absorbed through the palms of the hands, and helps the problems. Have your gf do some research, consult doctors that are pro-life, because those doctors will not necessarily prescribe the pill, and also she can consult a PCOS specialist to see if they can prescribe something more natural, such as herbal remedies and weight loss to help control the symptoms. I tell you that once I lost a lot of weight, my symptoms started disappearing.

Good luck, and if you need more advice, feel free to pm me.

 

[forgiveall]

I have gone to this women for natural healing with herbs and she mixes good herbs, and is very inexpensive. My Grandfather had shingles, you know how hard it is to get rid of that it generally takes months, these herbs that she mixed for him made the shingles go away in 3 days. I certianly trust her.

Try this link:
sagewomanherbs.com/formulas-ovarian-health.html

God bless you and all you do in the name of Jesus

 

[jacie]

BCP’s are not healthy for you in the long run. What she should do is take progesterone. You can find progesterone creams at your local health food store, or find a doctor who is predisposed to consider natural remedies. Mine prescribed a natural progesterone troche which a local pharmacist “cooked up”. They cost about $35 per month, and you can choose any number of flavors. They are little lozenges that melt under your tongue. You just take one per day. They are better than the creams because it is easier to regulate the dosage you are receiving. And much healthier for you than the Pill. They should be made from a natural plant estrogen. The estrogens in BCP’s are usually man made.

One other product that I found very beneficial at the health food store is EstroSense by Enzymatic Therapy, I believe. It contains a variety of natural herbs, vitamins, minerals that help your body regulate hormone levels. She should also be taking and essential fatty acid supplement such as Borage Seed Oil or Evening Primrose Oil. When I started that, many of my pms symptoms eased right up. Most health food stores have a nutritionist on staff who will consult with you - just ask.

 

[1ke]

Your girlfriend needs to see a doctor who is trained in Dr. Hilger’s methods. There are doctors who will treat PCOS and not just band-aid it with the Pill.

www.popepaulvi.com

 

[kevinsgirl]

I was just diagnosed with PCOS. Basically from the research I’ve done about my condition, the pill is often prescribed as the easy way to fix the symtoms. Like PP’s have said, she needs to contact a doctor who knows more about PCOS than just to prescribe the pill. Also, losing weight and eating a low carb diet are both supposed to help substantially with PCOS. It’s good that she got her periods back when she went off the pill–a lot of women with PCOS have problems getting regular periods, so that is definitely a good thing.

Hair-wise, it’s a real pain to deal with, but most of us employ plucking or shaving or waxing. It’s definitely not fun, but in the long run it is much better for our bodies to deal with that than to deal with the implications of the pill.

 

[golas1964]

Thank You for your comments and advice so far.

One add’l twist to the story; my girlfriend is also a type 2 diabetic. We are in central Massachusetts. I’m definitely going to talk about progesterone with my girlfriend, especially natural progesterone troches. I’m going to look for health food stores, pharmacies, doctors, etc. in my area. If anyone in or near MA has had experience with such things, your continued advice is very much appreciated.

 

[mahalia]

If she has type two diabetes, her main problem is insulin tolerance. She has too much insuline in her body which stimulates cells in the ovary to produce testosterone and androstendione. Usually, they convert to women hormones, estrogenes, but, when there is insuline disbalance, they do not convert.
So, if she wants to take control of her health in a natural way, she would have to start a diabetic diet, loose weight, reduce stress, exercise…
The problem with natural healing is that it takes a lot of effort and long-term sacrifice.
Not all people are ready to change their lifestyles if they have an alternative, like a pill, have that in mind.
p.s. Progesterone will not induce ovulation.

I hope everything goes well!

 

[golas1964]

If she has type two diabetes, her main problem is insulin tolerance. She has too much insuline in her body which stimulates cells in the ovary to produce testosterone and androstendione. Usually, they convert to women hormones, estrogenes, but, when there is insuline disbalance, they do not convert.
So, if she wants to take control of her health in a natural way, she would have to start a diabetic diet, loose weight, reduce stress, exercise…
The problem with natural healing is that it takes a lot of effort and long-term sacrifice.
Not all people are ready to change their lifestyles if they have an alternative, like a pill, have that in mind.
p.s. Progesterone will not induce ovulation.

I hope everything goes well!

She’s been doing the diet, stress, exercise thing since before I met her. Got her weight down. Job stress is a problem for her but she’s doing the best she can. I’ve been learning about low-carb foods and I’ve lost a little weight!

Please elaborate regarding Progesterone. Thank You.

 

[mahalia]

Someone posted about progesterone, so I mentioned it also. Progesterone is a hormone that has an important role in the other half of a woman’s cycle, after ovulation. So, if a woman does not ovulate, her primary problem is not progesterone, since she doesn’t reach the other half of the cycle.

I would suggest searching for an endocrinologist, who will do a check up on the diabetes, but also adrenal gland hormones, thyroid gland etc.
Don’t give up.

 

[Lady_D_I]

Your girlfriend needs to see a doctor who is trained in Dr. Hilger’s methods. There are doctors who will treat PCOS and not just band-aid it with the Pill.

www.popepaulvi.com

Agreed! I completed the Natural Family Planning Nurse Practitioner program through the PPVI Institute. I highly recommend you contact the Institute. I would encourage her to consult with a medical professional trained through the Institute before self-treating with progesterone creams, etc.