Question:
Birth control options with current infirtility?

I know I need to see my Dr., but I am starting a new job and unable to do so right now. I have not had a period on my own for almost two years. I tried to get pregnant with Clomid in the past and not even that worked. I have PCOS. I know my weight gain has been the problem. I am post op am down 60lbs with many more to go. I did have a regular period a month beofer my surgery that shocked me, but none since. I am very concerned about NOT getting pregnant in the next year. Condoms give me terrible yeast infections. Would the pill even work for me? I do not want an IUD until after I have a baby. Are there any BC methods that work for someone like me who doesn't even ovulate?    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on November 2, 2003)

November 2, 2003
I have your hisotry only about 200 times worse. More like 25 years of severe PCOS and even a stretch of about 15 years with no periods. Don't even ask why I did nothing about it - stupidity. Bottom line is my GYN guessed I had about a 1/4% chance of ever getting pregnant even with the strongest stuff available, based on my history. Now at 42, this is no longer a desire, so no biggie. However, do not assume the pill will protect you! The thing that started by periods going after 15 years was dropping some weight really quickly back in 1994. Then the docs decided they needed to "protect" me from cancer and I stupidly let them play around with BCP's. Now don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with BCP's, other than my body HATED them. I spent 9 months of solid bleeding. Depo Provera is what turned my life from hell to great, at least in that area. I have been on Depo since 1995 with incredible success. It has not affected my weight loss one tiny bit. At about 3 months PO I could tell my hormones were going through changes as my body was acting strange, almost like it would if I was pregnant. It finally settled down. The moral of my story is that both times I lost significant weight my body's hormones reacted and if not protected properly I could have ended up pregnant. Just because your body did not work normal before surgery do not assume that will be the case after. I would go for the Depo or some women seem to like the NuvaRing. The patch is really out of the question if you are over 200 lbs. I personally would not gamble with BCP's and if you cannot tolerate condoms then you don't have many choices left till your weight is lower. Talk with your GYN to figure out what will be best for you. I wonder if the problem is the latex in the condoms. Just a thought. Good Luck! For me I plan to stay on Depo till the day they wheel me into the OR for a hysterectomy!
   — zoedogcbr

November 2, 2003
Terri-I have pcos as well and I used ortho evra, which is the patch and it seems to work great, but as you know no bc is completely effective. This is something that you really need to discuss with your dr. to insure that you get what is right for you and your body. I hope ths helps.
   — Lynita C.

November 2, 2003
Terri, Not sure what to recommend regarding medications to prevent pregnancy..that is best discussed with your doctor. However I do have a comment about yeast infections being attributed to condoms. Are you sure you might not be allergic to latex or even spermicides?? I have never heard of a yeast infection being caused by condoms. You might what to check with your Dr on that or even try experimenting with non-latex, non-lubricated condoms that have no spermicide.
   — Michelle B.

November 2, 2003
Hi Terri, I also have PCOS and had really irregular periods before surgery. My doctor put me on the pill but I couldn't remember to take it at the same time every day. So he prescribed the Nuvaring for me...so far I absolutely love it!!! You keep it in for 3 weeks and then take it out for a week (when your supposed to get your period)..so far it has totally regulated me and I've been getting it on time every month. Good luck!!
   — kle0007

November 2, 2003
Don't assume that you can't get pregnant! Just because you haven't had a period doesn't mean you can't get pregnant, as the egg drops when you ovulate and your period comes along about 2 weeks later. There is no way to know in advance when you'll start ovulating again. My sis-in-law got pregnant with her 3rd child before ever getting her period back after having the 2nd one. In other words, the first month that the egg dropped and she ovulated she got pregnant. Also, have you tried different types of condoms? non laytex ones? you could ask your doctor about depo shots or I have also heard of people using the Nueva Ring. From what I have heard, is we shouldn't rely on the pill post op.
   — Patricia T.

November 3, 2003
My GYN and I discussed my surgery last week at my visit. She said that after surgery I may not be able to take the birth control pill for some time due to the lack of absorbtion. She is suggesting I use the patch once I get down to 198 lbs... it isnt as effective until your under that weight according to her. She had also suggested an IUD but I have heard so many horror stories from older family members regarding them... alhtough the dr swears things have changed a lot since then.
   — Christine S.