BC pills

[skyfiery.livejournal.com]

I've consulted my GP for his advice on BC pills for regulating periods, and he (like I've read on some other posts here) recommend a two-month cycle of pills.

What I'm thinking of doing is taking pills for either a three- or six-month cycle, and then bleed either just four times, or twice a year.

Other than the "usual and more common" side effects I've been informed on and read about from members here, such as weight gain, mood swings, nausea and such, my GP has informed me there's a much higher chance of (ovarian?) cancer for people who've had sex and are on the pills. And he also recommends a PAP smear once a year instead of once every three years for virgins.

I'm annoyed enough with my period (have never felt comfortable with it) to take the risk. But I wanted to find out what others think first.

Also, as a side note, my GP wants to put me on Yasmin as a starter. But I've read the memories in this group and noted that many are not happy with the side effects of Yasmin.

So should I go ahead with it?

Comments

[dindin.livejournal.com]

my GP has informed me there's a much higher chance of (ovarian?) cancer for people who've had sex and are on the pills

WHAT??? Either you need to run far far away from this doctor, or you misunderstood him. Hormonal birth control, "the pill", lowers your risk of many types of cancers such as ovarian and endometrial. source (http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=2572). The pill does not give you a much higher chance of any type of cancer. There may be a slightly higher risk of breast cancer on the pill, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer.

Everyone is going to react differently to a particular brand. What you're seeing here is just the people who are bothering to say anything about Yasmin out of the millions of women who take it. If memory serves me, Yasmin is actually the most commonly prescribed pill in the U.S. now, so you're just going to hear a lot about it period.

Is it at all possible you misunderstood your doctor? If not, I'd get a second opinion NOW.

[skyfiery.livejournal.com]

Hm. I doubt I misunderstood him, especially since I remember distinctly he mentioned about the one-year versus three-years time period recommended for PAP smears. But I might get a second opinion somewhere else when I can.

The GP did warn me that since Yasmin was considered a slightly "older generation" or earlier version of pills, the side-effects might be more than the newer types of pills, another note which I should ask, also.

[dindin.livejournal.com]

Yasmin was considered a slightly "older generation" or earlier version of pills,

Yasmin's a relative new-ish pill... it was approved in the U.S. in 2000/2001 (http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/nda/2001/21-098_Yasmin_Approv.pdf). The progestin in it, drospirenone, is a "fourth generation" progestin - there aren't any fifth generation progestins. I'm really having a hard time understanding what on earth your doctor could possibly be referring to.

As a matter of fact, Yasmin is sometimes touted as a "weight loss pill" - the progestin in it has a diuretic or water loss effect, making you less likely to retain water weight.

Please see a gynecologist if you can. At the very least see a different GP.

[skyfiery.livejournal.com]

Righto. Will do. Thank you.

[dindin.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. Good luck.

[amathya.livejournal.com]

And he also recommends a PAP smear once a year instead of once every three years for virgins.

I find this statement a bit odd.

To explain: my doctor wanted me to have two or three annual pap's simply because I'd never had one before. After those, however, she essentially said that it would be fine if I only came in every other year or every third year for a test (and I'm not a virgin, plus I'm sexually active).

If I had a GP who was telling me to come in every year for a pap (no matter what), I'd have to question that GP's judgement... but that's just me :/