Bipolar and pcos, can bcp help?

Question

I have PCOS and bipolar disorder. I find that my manic times tend to last for approx 4 days begining on around day 4 after my period starts (I take progesterone for 10 days to induce a period once a month). By mid-cycle, I am depressed, angry, suicidal. Has anyone with PCOS and bipolar found relief from the bipolar by taking birth control pills or shots? I also asked this in women's health.

Answer 1

My daughter was diagnosed with PCOS when she was 15.  They started her on BCP's.   Since she was a teenager, she was dealing with so many crazy emotions anyway.  I once took her to a psychologist who thought she was bi-polar after only talking to us for an  hour.  I left his office and didn't return.  Instead, I found that through time and not giving up, she has been  helped by finding the right BCP that worked best for her.  It took about 4 different prescriptions over time, but Yasmin works really well.  I highly advise to stay away from generic brands of BCP's because they may compound the mood swings.

Remember, the key is finding a prescription that works for you.  And then again, some women can't take the BCP at all, or they give up trying to find one that doesn't contribute to the mood swings.

Another thing that helped my daughter is aqua-detox.   Yeah, some may think it's hokey, but I swear to you, if she has one of these treatments done every 2 or 2 1/2 weeks, she handles stress much better and her moods are much more even and calm.  It costs about $35 to $40 for a treatment.  And no, those foot pads you buy for detoxing probably wouldn't have the same affect.  

It does take time to find alternative things that help, but don't give up.  My daughter is 18 now and is doing much better than if I had let that doctor start medicating her.  Good luck to you!