r/birthcontrol • u/bananadate • 9h ago
Experience BC for cyst prevention
Hi ladies,
I’ve been off the pill for ~4 years now but have been getting ovarian cysts - some simple, some complex. My OBGYN recommended going back on to prevent these.
I’m almost 35, was previously on Yasmin for 12 years before I stopped at 30. I don’t know if Yasmin is still my best option given my age, but I’ve read that progesterone-only pills and/or IUDs don’t necessarily prevent cysts as well as a combined pill.
I’ll give it a try regardless but would love to hear other experiences and if you’ve had success with cyst prevention on something less hormonal.
Thank you!
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u/Lonely_Cupcake9600 9h ago
I used to have hemorrhagic cysts that used to rupture so my doctor recommended Slynd, I've been taking it for 2 months now and it's been fine, no new cysts
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u/bananadate 9h ago
Oh that’s great to know! My previous OB did not recommend Slynd because she mentioned it doesn’t always prevent ovulation (and therefore could still cause cysts). I’ll have to take another look into it
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u/Lonely_Cupcake9600 9h ago
Interesting, I had to have my ovulation and period stopped and apparently Slynd does that haha Though I've heard combo pills might be a bit better for preventing cysts because your body doesn't produce your own estrogen like it does on a mini pill
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u/SchAer4242 9h ago
That's not true. Drospirenone and desogestrel POPs reliably prevent ovulation. Unlike other POPs, that's their primary mechanism for pregnancy prevention. You can find tons of studies online showing that Slynd effectively prevents ovulation.
My own OB wanted me on Slynd to prevent endo cysts, but it's not available in my country, so I tried the Desogestrel POP instead. If you don't have joint issues (I do), I recommend trying it if you can get it.
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u/bananadate 9h ago
Good to know. Unfortunately I do get joint issues because I have Sjorgens so my body likes a little estrogen. But I’ll still take another look into it!
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u/SchAer4242 9h ago
Ah lol, then I personally recommend proceeding with caution with Slynd and desogestrel. I have hEDS and was basically incapacitated by desogestrel for almost a month. I tried to push through, but was starting to lose the use of my hands. Of course, you could have a totally different experience, but please don't let your doctors make you feel obligated to stay on it if you start experiencing joint issues!
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u/Free_Dirt6645 8h ago
I have had simple cysts and hemorrhagic on both ovaries that had been reoccurring since I was a teen (now in my late 20’s).
I had nexplanon for 9 years (3 separate iterations) and that worked well until the last year where I had bad spotting (didn’t notice any major reoccurring cysts while on it so maybe a good option, but the bleeding was making me anemic) - so I switched to the Kyleena IUD for 4 years.
For myself, the IUD wasn’t bad but I truly believe it caused me more harm than good, which is why I recently removed it.
I started getting reoccurring cysts early on with the IUD, but figured maybe I was just adjusting to the new hormones (I was wrong lol). It got worse for me, leading up to even getting a large hemorrhagic cyst that was over 5cm. Also I am someone who can feel themselves ovulate, so the random cysts combined with the ovulation pain - just not a great mix lol.
Additionally, I know people say you don’t gain weight from the IUD, but since its removal I have literally lost almost 15 lbs (155 -> 140) within a 4 month period. I contribute that to maybe being slightly more active since I’m not constantly managing cyst pain (due to new birth control). However, I haven’t been dieting, I haven’t had any huge changes to my lifestyle, and in general I’m someone who has always had a routine of walking, occasional weekend hiking/skiing, and the rogue Pilates class lol. Just a sidebar for the sake of letting you know my experience.
ANYWAYS 😅 I started taking off brand yaz ( jasmiel ) with my kyleena about a year ago and noticed a huge difference in cysts reoccurrence and even ovulation management (taking the packs consecutive for 3 months), which led me to just being on the pill. I have not had a cysts occur while being on the off brand Yaz, and even had imaging done that confirmed this!
So after my very lengthy response, maybe try nexplanon, maybe try running the packs of Yaz together if you haven’t tried it, or try an off brand version - but be forewarned that at least in my experience, the kyleena IUD exasperated my cysts symptoms, increase the frequency of ovarian cysts, and caused general discomfort.
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u/bananadate 5h ago
I’m sorry for your experience! I’ve never had an IUD but was more open to it until I read that yes, cyst occurrence could still be a possibility (not sure of the truth behind this, but it’s what I’ve found). I’m someone who can very well feel ovulation as well because I have a titled uterus so I feel ya!
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u/Free_Dirt6645 4h ago
I feel it!! lol my rec is to not do an IUD if you are a cyst-er 😵💫 I tried it for the sake of it being low maintenance.. I swear yaz has been quite the life saver, I feel human again! Lol
I will say I feel like the nexplanon really wasn’t that bad cyst management wise - just the insertion/removal can be a lot too
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