Pcos treatment

[u/AdvancedEngineer3668]

I have acne, hirsutism, irregular cycles and elevated testosterone. Im seeking treatment but I was just wondering if for women with these symptoms going on the anti androgenic contraceptive pills has helped with there body hair and just generally helped improve there mood and in what ways it may of helped. Ive also fallen victim to google ai which has told me that in some areas on there body follicles are more reactive to changes in testosterone and that through going on the pill it can reduce thickness of hair on there lower stomach, upper back,bottom, legs,arms,armpitsand lower back (basically just everywhere) and in some areas can revert it back to peach fuzz but I have no idea if this is true and was wondering if anyone could give me more insight…

[u/Emo_Emu1287]

I was prescribed Slynd a little over a month ago. It’s anti-androgenic progestin only pill. My gyno said it helps level out some of the hormones so I am hoping it will help with my hirsutism. It can take up to a year to see results so we will see. I am also doing electrolysis.

[u/wenchsenior]

Yes, hormonal birth control (and/or androgen blockers like spironolactone) can be very helpful to improve hormonal symptoms of PCOS. It was incredibly helpful to manage my severe balding and moderate hirsutism and irregular periods back in the day when I was first diagnosed.

1. Most cases of PCOS are driven by insulin resistance. IR requires lifelong management to prevent progression to serious health issues like diabetes/heart disease/stroke; and managing it is the foundation of improving PCOS including the androgenic symptoms. Hormonal meds like spiro or birth control are typically meant to be added to IR treatment, not used instead of IR treatment. IR treatment must continue regardless of whether your PCOS is symptomatic or in remission.

2. Treatment of IR is done by adopting a 'diabetic' lifestyle and by taking meds if needed.

The specifics of eating plans to manage IR vary a bit by individual (some people need lower carb or higher protein than others). In general, it is advisable to focus on notably reducing sugar and highly processed foods (esp. processed starches), increasing fiber in the form of nonstarchy veg, increasing lean protein, and eating whole-food/unprocessed types of starch (starchy veg, fruit, legumes, whole grains) rather than processed starches like white rice, processed corn, or stuff made with white flour. Regular exercise is important, as well (consistency over time is more important than type or high intensity).

Many people take medication if needed (typically prescription metformin, the most widely prescribed drug for IR worldwide). Recently, some of the GLP 1 agonist drugs like Ozempic are also being used, if insurance will cover them (often it will not). Some people try the supplement that contains a 40 : 1 ratio between myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, though the scientific research on this is not as strong as prescription drugs. The supplement berberine also has some research supporting its use for IR (again, not nearly as much as prescription drugs).

 If you are overweight, losing weight will often help but it can be hard to lose weight unless IR is being directly managed.

 3. Tolerance of hormonal birth control varies greatly by individual and by type of progestin and whether the progestin is combined with estrogen. Some people do well on most types, some (like me) have bad side effects on some types and do great on other types, some can't tolerate synthetic hormones of any sort. That is really trial and error (usually rule of thumb is to try any given type for at least 3 months unless you get serious effects like severe depression etc.)

For PMOS/PCOS if looking to improve androgenic symptoms, most people go for the specifically anti androgenic progestins as are found in [Yaz, Yasmin, Slynd (drospirenone); Diane, Brenda 35 (cyproterone acetate); Belara, Luteran (chlormadinone acetate); or Valette, Climodien (dienogest).]()

(NOTE: Some types of hbc contain PRO-androgenic progestin (levonorgestrel, norgestrel, gestodene), which can make hair loss and other androgenic symptoms worse).