Oh bugger. Went to the GP for something different and she's stopped my BCP

[GrimmaTheNome]

and she realised that as I'm 51 I shouldn't still be on Marvelon, which I feel very well on and her colleagues had been carrying on prescribing. So once I've finished my supply (hopefully will last till after hols at end of august) I've got to stop and then wait 3 months and then be tested to find out what stage I'm at.

The main reason for being on this particular pill wasn't really contraception, it was because I have pcos (it controls the awful acne) and low bone density. I'm not very happy at stopping but she's right, its not meant to be prescribed over 50.

I don't know what state my hormones will be in left to themselves which is a bit scary... any suggestions for dietary or other means to ease the transition to whatever it may be would be most welcome

Why were you taking it for your bone density? Or what benefits did you get?

I think you need to see how you are once you stop it.
You might want to swop to HRT or you might manage with lifestyle measures such as a better diet and exercise.

Why were you taking it for your bone density? Or what benefits did you get?
the main reason was for the management of PCOS - when I've been off the pill in the past I got awful acne. On it, I've not had many symptoms - a bit of gradual weight gain but nothing like as bad as what I've read about. Oestrogens are well known protectives against osteoporesis so that was a plus. And I feel well on it so the prospect of alteration is a bit scary. Maybe it'll be fine, but I don't want to just wait for my skin to go vile and weight pile on...hence wanting to find out whether there are specific things which may help the transition.

I do quite a lot of exercise already and my diet wasn't bad though I'm going to move to less carbs anyway - proactively trying to lose a bit of weight etc so in better shape to deal with it when I do stop.

Have you had a DEXA scan then and been shown to have low bone density?

I don't think the amount of oestrogen in the Pill is what is needed for bone density. You need a very specific amount daily - if your bones are thinning- and this is something you'd need expert advice on.

There are other pills that can help with the PCOS. Ask your GP about Diane35/Dianette (depending on your country). It fixed my PCOS skin issues, and in fact is so good for skin that it's sometimes prescribed for skin issues. Takes a few weeks to kick in but then you will have perfect non greasy skin and hair with no spots :-)

Dietary supplements that may help are the B vitamins, evening primrose and star flower oils, and plenty of seeds, such as sunflower, flax and linseed. A friend of my mother bakes what she calls 'menopause bread' which is a wholemeal bread with loads of these seeds in.

Amelia - I had a scan over 10 years ago which suggested low bone density for my age then (not terrible in absolute terms IYSWIM). I'll raise this issue (probably ask for a rescan) when I set up the blood tests in a few months time.

Toad - After I had DD (the PCOS came to light when ttc) the first thing I was put on was Dianette. Yes, it was great for the skin but unfortunately one of its side effects can be depression, as I found. (not sure but probably the same objections to my age would apply anyway).

Thistle - ah good, I'll start chucking some seeds into my breakfast. I've got loads as I already make wholemeal seedy bread but as I'm trying to limit carbs, bread is one of the easier things to quit.

thanks all

This is worth reading- the opposite of what you hoped might be the case.

It seems to apply mainly to younger women, but it's still worth noting.

www.bio-hormone-health.com/2011/08/01/bone-density-at-risk-with-some-birth-control-pills/

If your bones were not great 10 years back then you should have been scanned every 2-3 years thereafter to keep an eye on it. You can arrange private scans for around £100 if your GP won't sort one for you.

The scan I had before was private - one of those check-everything deals.

I'm going to ask for a complete MOT

I know this seems really obvious but remember that you'll need to think about contraception. Don't just think you're 51 it'll never happen.....

Given that it took clomid to produce DD it'd be exceptionally unlikely, but my GP did point that out!

Grimma, I'm 35 and also take the pill for PCOS (Diane) and my doctor has said it's fine to take until menopause (or age 50, I suppose). I dread coming off it as it's really changed my life; I actually feel much better on this particular pill than off as it's eased so many of the PCOS complications. I don't really have any practical advice but I do know that regular exercise is important for both the PCOS and mood (I should think that suddenly removing those hormones will have an effect on your emotions) and that lots of PCOS sufferers report having less symptoms on a very low-carb, low gi diet. I'm thinking I'll probably have to do some kind or HRT when I go off, but haven't really investigated that yet. I have found this book really helpful and informative and it has lots of info about PCOS, menopause and HRT. Take care of yourself .

Don't expect a full MOT on the NHS! Their policy seems to be wait until there is a problem then shut the gate after the horse has bolted.

You may get a DEXA scan on the basis of your previous results, but you may not- if they want to save money.

I'm no expert but won't PCOS disappear once your ovaries pack up after the meno? You won't be producig follicles.

the problems with the ovaries are a symptom of PCOS rather than the case (it's a metabolic/hormone issue), so although PCOS symptoms will change during and post menopause, the underlying cause will still be there.

There's not very much in the way of research in this area, but there is some interest in investigating, which will presumably be easier to do once there are more older women who have been diagnosed to fill up a research study.

Thanks Sri - yes, I'm suddenly at that point!

Fortuitously, thanks to my DD developing a passion for windsurfing and persuading DH and I to learn I am (a) doing something needing upper body strength for the first time ever and (b)displeased at the way my legs look encased in neoprene (my body curves ain't so bad!) I started 'running' and cut back the carbs. And DH (coincidentally) got told by the practice nurse yesterday to lose weight (he has high BP and a shedload of other issues) ... DD (13) is chubby and he's roped her in for 'healthy eating and exercise' this summer so it looks like we're all on board which should help. We all swam half a mile this morning for starters.

Amelia - yes, that's what I'd naively assumed in the past, but I think as IShall says, the PCOS is caused by underlying hormonal issues - insulin resistance in particular. I don't particularly exhibit symptoms of that per se but DH helpfully did a glucose test on me this morning and it was at the high end of normal. (so is his - he has a diabetic mother hence him having a test kit to monitor himself occasionally).

I've got company BUPA, don't know if that would cover tests if the NHS won't oblige (though this particular GP seems better than most at testing sensibly) but if not we'd shell out.

Wow! That's brilliant . Keep it up!