Qs about hormones in the pill? ?

Question

I was reading a post about the pill contraceptive, and a poster seemed very informative, but it left me with more questions. She said this:

<It is the progestrogen that can help, but only if it isn't an androgenic progestrogen. Desogestrel is a good one, which is found in Marvelon, Mercilon and Cerazette (pop) and Yasmin has another progestogen which can help.

So, ask for a low dose pill with an anti-androgenic progestogen.<<

It left me wondering what androgenic progesterone is? Aren't androgens males hormones? Why would they put those in the pill? Do some Pills give you more female hormones than others?

Naturally in the body, is it oestrogen that gives you the female features?

The original question was about about avoiding body hair growth with the pill, so why would progesterone help to stop male hair growth (hirsutism)?

I'm just curious as I don't have a hair problem but I'm interested in the hormones.

I know the mini pill just contains progesterone and the other pill also contains oestrogen.

Answer 1

Hiya, that answer was from me.

Ok I know all this after years of research and trying different pills as I have PCOS.

Yes, androgens are &quot;male&quot; hormones, but women produce them too, but in a lower amount. When a pill has a higher androgen activity (from certain progestogens such as levenorgestrel) it can cause issues with women who are sensitive to the androgens, for instance PCOS women make too much androgen which causes acne, weight problems and excess hair OR male-pattern baldness. Therefore, if your natural hormonal balance is lower in oestrogen but higher in progestogen, a pill with the progestogens Desogestrel or Drospirenone can be far more helpful. However, if you naturally produce more oestrogen (in which case you probably have constant bleeding, tender b*****s and headaches/migraines) then a higher does of pregestogen (particularly and androgenic one such a Levenorgestrel found in the Depo-provera injection) is more suitable.

This site is American but is quite helpful at explaining what I&#039;ve written in terms of undersirable effects of pills, and alternatives to take:

http://www.wdxcyber.com/ncontr13.htm - the pill brands are American versions but you can find the UK verisons. E.g. Desogen is Marvelon, Diane is Dianette.

Hope this helps, message me again if you want to know more. xx

Answer 2

When i first went on the pill at 16 (dianette), I was a DD Cup bra.. im now struggling to stay in my G cup..

I&#039;d say this is to do with hormones?

I

ve had to come off it now mind, cause i went up 3 cup sizes in 6months and thats obviously not right.

Answer 3

No one seems to be answering but il say this...

Ive been taking the pill for 6 months now, and i have to say it hasnt caused me too many problems

It has more plus sides

* No interuptions (if u get me lol)

* U know the exact day of your period/ it works like clockwork

* It can shorten your period mines onli 3 days now

*Its safer then condoms

* Its free

* u can skip your period

Bad sides

* sore b***s

* Maybe spotting if your trying to skip period for the first time

Also i know many girls on the pill, none of us have ever suffered from any body hair since taking the pill, maybe the male hormones and female hormoes counter balance each other??

This probs didnt help at all but ...

xxxx