Doctors often recommend using contraceptive pills to help ease symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Is Althea pills good for PCOS? How to take althea pills for PCOS? Get to know more about it in this article!
Althea pills for PCOS: What is PCOS?
Before we discuss about Althea pills, it is important to know first what is PCOS. And how it affects women’s health during their child-bearing years.
PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects women in their reproductive years (often ages 15 to 44). In essence, it means that the ovaries, develop cysts or partially developed follicles. Those cysts contain eggs.
The immature eggs in the follicles are never developed enough to cause ovulation. Female hormone levels are altered by the absence of ovulation. Having PCOS alters the level of female hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone.
While androgen levels are higher than usual, progesterone levels are lower.
According to an article written by Healthline entitled, “What’s the Best Birth Control For People With PCOS,” high amounts of insulin that may not function properly, and androgens, which are masculine hormones, are frequently present in people with PCOS. Additionally, some women develop insulin resistance as a result.
You can manage PCOS by using birth control techniques like the pill, a patch, or an intrauterine hormonal device (IUD). Your doctor can advise you on which approach is best for your physique and way of life.
Althea pills for PCOS treatment
Is althea pills good for PCOS? With Althea pills, you may manage PCOS and hyperandrogenic symptoms including acne, excessive hair growth, male pattern baldness, and more while also managing your period.
Althea pills for PCOS treatment
Combination pills like Althea function in two different ways. First, they stop your body from ovulating, which prevents you from releasing an egg and preventing pregnancy.
The cervical mucus, the liquid that surrounds your cervix and is passed through by sperm as they journey to your uterus to fertilize an egg, thickens as a result of the second side effect of these pills. Sperm can't enter the uterus because of the thicker mucus. These techniques help avoid pregnancy.
But aside from preventing pregnancy, for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hormonal abnormalities, or irregular menstruation cycles, Althea pills are one of the most frequently prescribed medicine.
How to take althea pills for pcos
The first day of menstruation should be the starting point for using a pack of 21 active pills. Until the 21 active pills have been consumed, one pill should be taken regularly once a day at the same time. After then, the user should wait 7 days before taking another package of pills.
Menstrual bleeding is anticipated to happen during the course of the following seven days. Regardless of whether the period has started or not, the user should begin taking a new packet of Althea pills after the 7-day pause.
If a pill is missed, the user should take it within the following 12 hours. Take the daily medication at the scheduled time, even if it means taking two pills in one day. You may discard the missed medication if you weren't able to take it during the following 12 hours. Continue taking one pill at the regular time each day after that.
Althea pills for pcos side effects
Please be aware that it is always best to speak with your doctor before using any drug or tablet for contraception or for treating PCOS. It is your responsibility to make sure the medication you'll be taking is right for you. And you should return and visit your doctor immediately away if you are using Althea pills and you are suffering any of the following symptoms:
Althea pills for pcos side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Cramps
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Change in sexual desire
- Breakthrough bleeding/spotting
- Swelling or pain in the legs
- Dizziness
- Vision changes
- Chest pain
- One-sided weakness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dark urine
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Stomach/abdominal pain
- Mental/mood changes
- Unusual change in the amount of urine
- Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, and trouble breathing.
Aside from the said side effects, women should also be wary of taking this medication if you experience the following:
- Diseases affecting the liver
- Estrogen-dependent neoplasms (EDNs) or cancers that are caused by the hormone estrogen (e.g., breast and colorectal cancer)
- If you have a history of skin diseases or rare autoimmune skin ailments, tell your doctor during pregnancy.
- Bleeding in the cervix that hasn’t been diagnosed
- Migraine attacks can range from severe to minor