Suggest Treatment For PCOS And Severe Anxiety During Monepause

Posted on Thu, 23 Jul 2015

Question: I am a 37 year old female who has not had a period for over two years and I have PCOS. My OBGYN recommended I begin taking birth control pills again to start up my cycle. I did have my FSH levels and full blood work run and my levels look fine and I am not into menopause.
The problem is that I have SEVERE anxiety about taking this BCP. I am scheduled to begin taking it in two days and I am already having anxiety attacks about it (racing heart, chest pains, etc.) Rationally, I know that taking a BCP is probably safe and it will do me more good to take it to start up my cycle again.
But I think this speaks to a larger problem I have which is a reluctance to take a lot of medicine and I worry about chemicals in my body. I worry that medicine and chemicals may make me crazy or lose control. I do have a long history of depression and anxiety that I have always tried to tough out and take care of myself naturally with fitness, etc. But maybe it is time for me to explore an anti-anxiety medication. I am turning into the person I did not want to be.

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
you can take Progesterone for 10 days every 2 months.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I am Dr Ramadevi Wani. I will be answering your concerns today.

Your OBGYN says that PCOS is the reason for your absent periods. You might be aware that PCOS is there in you since long? Did you put on weight? Are your prolactin and thyroid hormones normal? These could be other reasons for your absent periods.

If your BMI is more than 25Kg/M2 I advise you to reduce weight. Please take this seriously. Even 5% reduction in weight can work wonders in women who have PCOS, not just in helping regularize cycles but also in your overall health.

If you do not like birth control pills, you can take Progesterone for 10 days every 2 months. This means lesser days of medications to you.

I am so happy to know about your willingness to tackle problems of depression and anxiety with fitness. Please add yoga to your routine. It does work. In addition do consult Psychiatrist/Psychologist as of now for counselling. They may prescribe medications temporarily to tide over this bout of anxiety.
I hope this helps.
If you have further queries, I will be happy to answer.
With best wishes,
Dr Rama

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (4 hours later)

Just to follow up. My weight is not a problem since I am thin and in good shape. I have other symptoms of PCOS such as lots of facial and body hair and extreme vaginal dryness. I have big ovarian cysts as well and the Dr hopes the bcp pills will help them shrink.

I will be trying the anti anxiety medications and will try to stick out the bcp pills. The last time I took bcp pills I quit them after a week because the anxiety got so bad. Yet, now I know those feelings were probably my own anxiety and not pill related.

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take pill containing Cyproterone Acetate.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Welcome back.
Very happy to know that you have normal BMI.
From your notes it is clear that you have PCOD. Yet make sure that your thyroid and prolactin hormones are normal.
I advise you to take birth control pill containing Cyproterone acetate ( Diane). Cyproterone acetate slows the growth of unwanted facial hair. It's effects will be seen after six months of use.

I hope this helps.
If you have further queries, I will be happy to answer.
With best wishes,
Dr Rama

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (5 minutes later)

Just another follow up that the bcp my OBGYN recommended is monastic 24 fe. She said it has the lowest hormone levels in comparison to other pills on the market. I just took my first one this morning. Still feeling nervous but trying my best to overcome this anxiety and fear.

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Continue taking pills prescribed by your doctor.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back.
Is it Minastrin 24 Fe?
What does Monastiq contain. It is fine if you are taking it.
I wrote about Diane as that would take care of facial hair too.

Don't worry about these pills. Relax. You will be fine. Do consult doctor for counseling
With best wishes,
Dr Rama.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (14 minutes later)

I cannot thank you enough for your thorough consultation and great advice. You are very compassionate. Is there a way for me to contact you directly with an update to let you know later on if I improve?

According to the box, these bcp contain norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol 1mg 20 mcg

Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for trusting Healthcare magic

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

Welcome back.
Thank you so much for your kind appreciation.

It is okay to take these tablets. As mentioned before Cyproterone acetate helps in slowing down the growth of facial hair. You may discuss about it with your doctor.

Have you done tests to find out if you have insulin resistance ( fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin level)? If you have not done it please do it.

Below is my URL to contact me directly. I would love to be a part of your medical care.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ramadevi-wani/69349

With best wishes,
Wishing you a happy weekend,
Dr Rama

Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar