Choosing an OC

[JJFigure]

After W6's Yasmin post, it looks like I need to be looking for a different OC. I've been reading old posts and went to the websitehttp://www.fpnotebook.com/GYN110.htm that compares progestational, estrogenic, and androgenic activity, and have a question. As a natty BB, which type of of the three do I care more about? Should it be more important for the estrogenic activity to be low? Androgenic? It seems there is no option where all three are low.

For example, Alesse seems to be a frequent choice by other women on the board; it has the following profile:

Relative Progestational Activity: 0.5 (low)
Estrogenic Activity: 17 (low)
Androgenic Activity: 0.31 (moderate)

Another choice is Loestrin Fe 1.5/30, which has the following profile:

Relative Progestational Activity: 0.3 (low)
Estrogenic Activity: 35 (moderate)
Androgenic Activity: 0.15 (low)

If it were more important that estrogenic activity be low, I'd go with the Alesse; if it were more important for androgenic activity to be low, I'd go with the Loestrin Fe.

NewGirl also mentioned Orthocept, but I can't find it on this website, so I don't know what type of profile it has. I'd appreciate any help; I need to make a choice early this week.

And the IUD is out - haven't decided on the children issue yet, and since I'm 32, I'd rather not use a longer term solution until I decide whether or not I want to have children.

 

[JJFigure]

Found the Ortho-cept:

Relative Progestational Activity: 1.0 (moderate)
Estrogenic Activity: 30 (moderate)
Androgenic Activity: 0.17 (low)

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

JJ -- I am not a bber however I loved orthocept. As far as estrogenic fat goes, I cannot be a good judge as I am not a competitor, nor have I forced my bf levels to the point that you would need or want. But I found the sides to be less of all I have used over the years and periods were extremely light -- like 2-3 days and flow very moderate to very light. HOWEVER, if you are off dose by just a few hours, I would have break thru bleeding.

Just an FYI.

 

[JJFigure]

W6? MS?

 

[wilson6]

Those stated activities may not translate into what you might expect with regard to body composition change while using the different OCs. For example, how do they define androgenic activity? Virilizing potential or stimulus of muscle protein synthesis. My guess is that it isn't muscle protein synthesis.

Besides, not everyone will respond the same. Best thing is to try each one for at least 6 months and keep training and diet consistent, then monitor body composition changes. Then decide which OC works best for you.

W6

 

[KEL]

try the nuvaring

 

[JJFigure]

Well, it seems taking the time to research this didn't even matter. My doctor just picked one on her own after I told her I wanted to switch to something different from Yasmin. She picked Aviane, which is a generic brand of Alesse. Luckily, that was one of the two I had settled on, but still... She actually seemed a little offended I was even researching on my own. She only sees me once a year, and I'm the only competitive athlete she has. What does it hurt that I want to be informed about how OC will impact me as a BB'er? I really like her and assume I'd probably get the same reaction from any doctor - I just don't understand why they have to be like that.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Unfortunately, JJ, they feel they are god and should not be questioned. My best friend is a nephrologist who actually has NO friends in the medical field unless they do research as she has found that every regularly practicing doctor that SHE knows, has a feeling of superiority and cannot be wrong and they are just GOD.

You did the right thing looking out for you and your health. Still, please keep me posted as to how you like it.

 

[FitFossil]

Unfortunately some doctors DO have a god complex. In my experience, a lot of these same doctors are HARDLY walking advertisements for their supposed superior knowledge of good health. As with other subjects, it's my belief that false confidence is a sign of insecurity.

Even so, you still have to take into account how so many patients take no interest in their health until something's wrong, and then they just expect the doctor to fix it, with some drug or surgery - no questions asked.

Doctors aren't very accustomed to patients taking responsibility for their health, god complex or not. On a different note, a lot of the "research" doctors hear from patients is some sort of bunk they got from a less than reliable source. So even if the patient really has good information, it may still take a moment for the doctor to tune in and listen, but if they do, you have a keeper.

 

[Candi Barr]

Have you considered barrier methods? I tried the pill for 6 months as a teenager and felt it made my asthma worse, then used a diaphram successfully. There are other choices as well.