Hi there

I am hopeing to get some help. I had a baby in Dec 06 and breastfed her for 6 weeks, after that my periods returned back to normal and I got the Depo Shot in July and was due for another shot in late October. I had a very heavy period in October and never went back for my shot.

My problem is I have not had a period since and my doctor did and ultrasound as I was a bit concerned even though I know it can take a while for your periods to return.

Its found that I have PCOS, can this be caused from the Depo Shot?

Also can you still ovulate and not get your periods. I am so confused and I have to wait till the new year to see a specialist. :(

Natalie

When someone has PCOS it is important to treat the PCOS with a diabetic lifestyle. When you don't the PCOS gets worse. You were PCOS before all of this but the pregnancy then the birth control hormone masked your symptoms, and not knowing about it the PCOS got worse without treatment. Once you got off, the symptoms explode.

Using this example of a cut. You cut yourself. You put a bandaid on it (BCH's/pregnancy) but don't treat it with anything (diabetic diet, exercise, possibly medication, naturals) and it becomes infected. It gets worse and worse only you don't see it because of the bandaid. Once you take the bandaid off, you see just how ugly the cut has become. This is how PCOS works. It gets worse if it is not treated.

The upside is that now you know and can work at getting the PCOS under control. However, please know that BCH's are not advisable for PCOS women.

As far as ovulating without menstrating: You ovulate before you menstrate. So yes. You can ovulate and not have a menstrual... the egg would either die out or be available for conception. If you do not want another baby right now, I suggest finding other alternatives - diaphram, sponge, condoms, etc. Women are usually more fertile up to two years after having a baby.

Also, PCOS is diagnosed through symptoms, history, bloodwork and sometimes U/S. If your doctor only did an ultrasound without any bloodwork and found cysts, this means you are PCO, not necessarily PCOS. One does not need the other. PCOS is a prediabetic disease.

Here's some info for you:
********BIRTH CONTROL HORMONES********
BCH's do not mix well with PCOS – bottom line - they DO NOT TREAT PCOS. When you leave PCOS untreated, PCOS gets worse as it ages. When on BCH's, the PCOS some symptoms go away and gives the false impression the PCOS is getting better. When you get off the BCH's you are hit with a more severe PCOS then when you went on BCH's.

If your doctor prescribes BCH's and sends you on your way, s/he is NOT a PCOS knowledgeable doctor and you should RUN from them.

Also, there is another reason you should not take BCH's. The prescription still allows stimulation to the ovaries but not enough to mature them for release. In nonPCOSers they dissolve but in PCOSers, they tend to turn into cysts. Ovaries give off androgens, which acts like testosterone. Each cyst also gives off androgens. When our androgen levels are up, this increases side effects associated with it – weight gain in the midriff and upper arms, hair loss, excess body/facial hair, etc. It also increases the likelihood of throwing off other hormones.

Menstrauls are also like the bodies thermometer for health issues. In PCOS sufferers, its one of the key elements in knowing when the PCOS is making a change. Take that away by inducing it monthly with birth control hormones, you take away her primary sign – and take away your thermometer. There are better alternatives to having menstruals when you need them. You can take provera – which is temporary and will trigger a cycle, the effects of which can last up to 3 cycles. Taking natural supplements to help treat the PCOS can also trigger regulated cycles as well as medications that treat PCOS thus help the menstrual issues. Lastly, changing your diet to a lowcarb diet can also help alleviate symptoms and trigger a regular cycle.

BCH's risk factors add to our already existing risk factors – a double whammy to prediabetics/diabetics. Also, PCOS women have issues with insulin already, why impact that even more with BCH's? The idea is to improve this issue, isn't it?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Support Blog » Can birth control pills affect PCOS?
Low-Dose Birth Control Pill May Up Heart Risk - Heart Disease and Other Cardiovascular Conditions on MedicineNet.com
Birth control pills and perimenopause from Women to Women
Birth Control Pills Help PCOS Symptoms But Not Polycystic Ovaries (related link)
Diagnose-Me: Condition: Birth Control Pill Issues
Obesity and Birth Control Pills


I will email you some more information if you contact me.

Angi Ingalls
PCOS in ConnecTion

OK I have got my blood test results and my Sex Hormone is low and Free androgen Index is high so I defintly have PCOS.

And guess what he gave me the pill as I am not trying to fall pregnant at the moment,
I will not take it but how do I manage the problem myself? Or do I need to see a speacialist?

There are a lot of things you can do.

-Exercise 5 to 6 times a week at least 20 minute intervals - unfortunately, for prediabetics, we do have to exercise more then the average person just to get similar results.
-Yoga is actually a great way to help release stress, add strength and boost our energy
-Strength training is important to help add muscle mass which inturn helps our bodies deal with insulin issues
-Ask your doctor about Metformin - this has been a wonderful drug for many prediabetics to help prevent diabetes and lower risk factors
-Look into naturals (PCOS in ConnecTion - then click "diet" tab)
-Live a diabetic type 2 lifestyle
diabetes.org
diabetic-recipes.com
-Eat every 1.5 to 2 hours in small portions - size of your fist is a good guide
-Add a handful of nuts several times a day to your diet to keep your metabolism running
-Eat more fruit and veggies and less processed foods
-Exchange all of your whites for wheat
-Avoid sweets as much as possible and get rid of soda from your diet. The best thing you can do is completely remove it from your home and make yourself work to get it by having to go out special to buy it
-Help improve your entire family's diet which inturn will also help yourself

One last note. Watch your daughter. PCOS is part of the diabetes family and is hereditary. Have your doctor perform a complete hormonal panel on her and yourself every year with your yearly exams. It is important to build a hormonal history so that if something does go wrong you can catch it early including in yourself - very important to keep an eye on levels. While hormones may be "within normal ranges" it does not necessarily mean they are normal for your body. Any change can be significant. Also know that a blood test is just a snap shot of that particular moment. Levels change all throughout the day. This is another reason why a history is so important. Watch for precoscious puberty as well as this has been a common dinominator among many PCOS women I have spoken to that believe they developed PCOS at very young age. I myself developed PCOS at the age of 8 and I know someone who developed it at the age of 5. This holds true for both sexes, but in a boy it would be called Syndrome X.

Good Luck and if you need me, Im always around!

Angi Ingalls

You are a gem, by far the most helpful perosn ever about this problem.

This Monday I started weight watchers and changed everything white to wheat. I have also started walking 4kms per day to increase fitness too.

I am 63kgs so I can definitely loose weight but I would hardly say I am fat IYKWIM. I am looking forward to getting fitter and hopefully being able to manage this with limited drugs :)

Awe you're welcome. I have made it my second job to educate others on PCOS. I also am a writer. Feel free to read my articles at PCOS in ConnecTion Live Journal

WW is a great way to learn ways to deal with foods in everyday life. Make sure you stress to your sponsor that you need to be living a diabetic lifestyle. It makes a huge difference. Also, try implementing In The Raw too. It's a great way to get more natural unprocessed foods in your diet and introduce yourself to new and wonderful foods. I love my book - its by Carol Alt.

Angi Ingalls

I have wondered the same thing! I got the Depo Shot and was diagnosed with PCOS 2 yrs later. I didn't start having any symptoms until after I took the Depo shot. I think that there should be some studies to test the connection between the 2!

I don't have any history of PCOS in my family. And I too just recently found out that I could possibly have PCOS. I have to go for a bunch of blood tests tomorrow and an ultrasound next wed. Can someone explain to me if it is caused by the depo or how I could possibly have it? Thank you so much.
Nikki

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When someone has PCOS it is important to treat the PCOS with a diabetic lifestyle. When you don't the PCOS gets worse. You were PCOS before all of this but the pregnancy then the birth control hormone masked your symptoms, and not knowing about it the PCOS got worse without treatment. Once you got off, the symptoms explode.

Using this example of a cut. You cut yourself. You put a bandaid on it (BCH's/pregnancy) but don't treat it with anything (diabetic diet, exercise, possibly medication, naturals) and it becomes infected. It gets worse and worse only you don't see it because of the bandaid. Once you take the bandaid off, you see just how ugly the cut has become. This is how PCOS works. It gets worse if it is not treated.

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I have to disagree with this statement. I did not have PCOS before the depo. My periods were not regular, but it was not until I gained 80 lbs in a few weeks after my third shot that I knew anything was wrong, and after 4 months, I went back to a pill. Before any birth control I had a period every month and a half or so... Now it's been over a year. I can't have kids (not likely) oh, and I can't afford any treatment.

As for exercise and health... I was a picture of health at the time. Including exercise and diet. I only went looking to find out if my PCOS is related... and judging by the sheer number of posts I've found with people asking the same question, I would say it's possible.

I admit, I am looking for the same answers. I found out this past summer that there is a good chance that I have it. And I believe I do. But my doctor recommended Depo to me to help out my PCOS. Was this a wrong decision? I am lost and worried about this subject. I want kids more than anything in my future.

Hi Natalie, I hope you get this, but for others out there looking for the answer:

Yes, Depo-Provera CAN give you PCOS. PCOS can have iatrogenic causes, one of them being Depo-Provera.

There are several ways to treat PCOS, but birth control may not be the best, as it can mask the symptoms, which can get worse with time. Other ways are through Androgen-reducing medications (spironolactone), diabetic medications (metformin), exercise and natropathic medications, such as China. PCOS is considered a Pre-diabetic condition, and responds well to a glucose-controlled lifestyle.

For more information, I found this website extremely helpful when I typed into Google, "Can Depo-Provera Give Me PCOS?". The answer was "yes".

http://www.rockwoodnaturalmedicine.com/pdf/Polycystic%20Ovary%20Syndrome%20articlerevisedl.pd f

Good luck!
Warmest Regards,
Rachel Sunshine

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Originally Posted by Catyloupe

I admit, I am looking for the same answers. I found out this past summer that there is a good chance that I have it. And I believe I do. But my doctor recommended Depo to me to help out my PCOS. Was this a wrong decision? I am lost and worried about this subject. I want kids more than anything in my future.

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Please don't get on Depo then, if you want children in the future. Only 62% of those studied (a small sample) for infertility after getting off depo and trying to have children were considered in the study on infertility for depo. That means 38% of the respondents symptoms were not listed, for one reason or another. That is a large number that isn't taken into consideration.

Also, BCH (birth control hormones) are not the best treatment for PCOS, as it can mask the symptoms, which then explode when you get off BCH to try to have children.

Depo increases your infertility.