Diane-35 (by berlex) long term - very worried....... please
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Tue Apr 06, 2004 12:11 am Quote

I'm at 17 right now and a few years ago my acne started worsening. I've tried almost everything and the dr. recommended diane-35. Both of my family doctors said that taking it for a few years won't affect my body negatively because it's pretty safe. However it's almost my 4th year now taking it (nonstop) and my acne has really improved (it literally went away). I didn't try stopping it because i was afraid that my acne would relapse if I discontinued the treatment (which i don't want because my grad prom is also coming in a few months). I'm also worried that if i continue taking it, it wouldn't be very good for my body (but i don't know what). Will I be unable to have babies in my later years if I rely too much on the diane-35? Are there any negative effects reported by people taking it on a long term basis? How long can I take it for without risking my health?

Tue Apr 06, 2004 2:27 am Quote

3am,

Sounds like something that Casper's Mum might know, given a few of her previous posts regarding pills that help clear up acne.

Looking online I can't really find all that much info about any problems with taking Diane-35 long-term. I'm not a Dr however and I suggest that if you are worried about this then you should talk to your doctor. Your Dr will be able to give you the info you're looking for and suggest any alternatives as well.

Mabsy

Tue Apr 06, 2004 4:00 am Quote

3am,

as far as i know, if you are relatively healthy (eg have no liver problems/deep vein thrombossis) there are no reasons why you can't stay on it long-term.
i was on it for about 7 years and did not have any negative effects.

i can tell you though, once you stop, your skin will probably return to it's pre-contraceptive pill stage after about 6 months. I hadn't had acne before, just some pre-period blimd painful cysts every few months, and to my surprise after being free from them for all those years, they are BACK Sad

esp since there due to hormones.

You will be fine having babies later on too, (these drugs are extensively trialled before being approved in australia, that's why we can't get a quarter of medications available in the states or europe). There is no evidence to suggest that the medication has any long-term effects after you stop taking it.
The only difference is that after some years, your body might just take a little time to start ovulating monthly again, but this returns to normal within 18 months.

If it's any assurance my cousin had been on the pill since 15 yr old (she had ovarian cysts, and was prescribed for this reason) she stopped taking it at 30, and now at 31 and 1/2 is the proud mother of a beautiful baby.

Take care

Ps There are studies that show that being on the pill thoughout your twenties, greatly reduces the risk (about 35% from memory) of cervical cancer later in life.

Wed Apr 28, 2004 3:22 pm Quote

The Pill is used by millions of women world-wide for a few different reasons, #1 being contraception (of course). Others use this to regulate their cycles, lessen monthly cramping, and ... control acne. Diane-35/Dianette is specifically formulated to help with acne vulgaris.

All combination birth control Pills, including Diane-35, are completely reversible once discontinued. This is why it is so important to remember to take one's Pill every day (preferrably at the same time), avoiding hormonal fluctuations (when using this as contraception). When discontinuing ALL Pills, a woman's body will have some common withdrawl side-effects: spotting, irregular periods, decreased breast size, and ... break-outs Mad

These side-effects are common with ALL oral contraceptives, and it may take a month or two for your hormones to settle-down. Afterall, you HAVE been fooling your body into believing that it's pregnant! Wink

You have been forewarned: you will probably break-out when you discontinue your Pill :twisted: If your skin doesn't clear-up again after a few months, it's probably a good idea for you to re-start the Diane-35. Contrary to folklore, one doesn't need to give their body a "break" from the Pill. If you're concerned about the 35mcg of estrogen in this Pill, you may want to talk to your doctor about trying something else. Alesse contains 20mcg of ethinyl estradiol, and has also been approved for the treatment of acne. Note: Diane-35 is SPECIFICALLY for the treatment of acne and poly-cystic ovary syndrome, and contains a unique progesterone (cyproterone acetate).

Unless you have any contraindications or conditions that note that you ought not be on the Pill, I say, continue taking your Pill until you speak to your doctor or clinic. One ought not take the Pill if one: smokes, has liver or vascular problems, a history of breast or liver cancer,migraine headaches, etc. In the past, the Pill had very high levels of estrogen (originally, 150mcg! Shock

) Today's low-dose Pills do not have as many (if-any) of the side-effects as it's predecessors. I believe that the highest amount of ethinyl-estradiol that is prescribed or used is now 50mcg (Ovral). Diane-35 contains a moderately low-dose, and the 20mcg (Alesse, Minestrin, and in the U.S., Mircette) contain the lowest doseage on the market, able to prevent ovulation and control one's cycle. Everyone is different in their body chemistry, personal choices for their body, and medical history.

The Pill will not hinder your ability to conceive in the future. That is the beauty of it: reversability. For other info., seek the following sites: http://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/ or www.sexualityandu.ca

enjoys freebies · Wed Apr 28, 2004 4:08 pm Quote

I have been using BC pills since I was 19, I am 30 now. I have not have any problems what so ever. I have used orthocyclen, orthotricylen (which is supposed to help with acne, I used it for about 6 years) and I am now using NuvaRing (vaginal ring with the same hormones as the BC pill) Two years ago, I got off the pill to have a baby. I stopped the pill, used other forms of BC for six months (which was my choice because I was also on other medication that I wanted out of my system before I conceived) and I was pregnant in six months.

I hope this helps ease your fears.

Liz

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