PMS Symptoms on the pill

[smallwonders8.livejournal.com]

My friend and I were discussing...Should the pill stop typical PMS symptoms? I feel like I still have cravings, cramps, etc before my period but is it all in my head? Wouldn't these symptoms stop when taking the pill? And if not, would the symptoms still occur when stacking the pill? I know the pill is supposed to create an easier period, but these affects wouldn't take place until the placebos are taken, right?

I'm obviously not too knowledgeable about this...Any scientific reason one way or the other?

Thanks!

Comments

[ashmazing88.livejournal.com]

No, no and no. This was posted about not too long ago, actually, and most of the commenters said they still get symptoms while on the pill. Of course, the pill affects everyone differently so some ladies may not have all the PMS symptoms when they're on the pill. However, because of my experience, and the things I've read here (re: the other post), it's totally normal to still experience PMS while on the pill. Also, from personal experience, I got symptoms up to a week before getting my period/taking the placebo pills.

And stacking eases the symptoms a lot, for me, but doesn't get rid of them completely. I still get cravings around when I'm suppose to have my period. Also, the longer I stack/go without a period, the worse the PMS is for me when I *do* have a period, especially the cramps. But I don't really stack by choice. My doctor recommended I do it for certain reasons. One thing you have to remember about stacking, though, is that it's not guaranteed to stop your period, so it's not guaranteed to get rid of your PMS, either.

As for a scientific explanation? I can't help you, sorry.

[archangelbeth]

If the body is still maintaing some form of "cycle" beneath the hormones, then even though the absolute value of the hormones is enough to keep the ovaries from ovulating... The other chemicals (lutenizing hormone, etc.) are waxing and waning. If you're sensitive to the lack of those... Or if there's actually a flux of estrogen and/or progesterone... Then you get the side effects. (Uteruses are especially prone to reacting to relative levels of hormones!)

Furthermore, the high level of estrogen and progesterone in most combined pills is meant to mimic "just after ovulation," and for some people, that's when PMS starts...

Other people only get "PMS" at the drop in hormones -- the placebo week -- and for them, some brands of pill actually have a little of the hormones in them to cushion the drop without actually being enough to prevent ovulation on their own.

[graziaplena.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, I never had PMS until I was on the Pill (Ortho-Tri-Cyclen), which is why I eventually stopped. The intense rage was too much for me (and the people around me) to deal with.

[calliope-music.livejournal.com]

Ortho-Tri-Cyclen made me INSANE.

[calliope-music.livejournal.com]

i still get all the symptoms of PMS, sadly =[