I'm trying to find out if it's common knowledge that some birth control pills cause ovarian cysts? Please reply if you've already heard this. Does this forum have a polling feature?
Hi there! I had a large ovarian cyst and I was on the pill. The sonographer told me it could of been caused by my pill but my GP gave me a firm no and said women get them regardless of wether they are on the pill or not. The GP discussed surgery to remove my cyst but I chose to come off the pill to see If this would make any impact and when I went for a follow up scan.. The cyst was gone, so personally I believe that yes it can cause them.
Nope, I have never heard that theory.
I'm so sorry to hear that. No research I've found points to combination oral contraceptives. But, I assure you that other types of birth control pills do. My post with all those references was deleted. I'll try posting the references without links.
Sorry, the references are still all spread out. Keep scrolling I think it's all there.
"There is an increased risk of ovarian cysts, perhaps up to 30%." Reference 1.
"Ovarian cysts that might twist or break[.]" Reference. 2.
"Ovarian cysts (small sacs of fluid in the ovary) with symptoms such as abdominal pain." Reference 3
"... Rarely they may twist or rupture, requiring surgical intervention." Reference 5.
"Are ovarian cysts ever an emergency? Yes, sometimes. ..." Reference 4.
"WARNING: ... sudden or severe pain in your lower abdomen or stomach area, ... an ovarian cyst. ... contact your healthcare professional immediately." Reference 5
Generic names: Norethindrone or Norethisterone, POP or POCP, Mini-Pill
Cysts are almost never listed as a side effect. Look under "Warnings" or "Risks" in your Package Insert.
References
1. search: info Patient
Egton Medical Information Systems Ltd
"Progestogen-only Contraceptive Pill
Authored by Dr Mary Harding, 24 Nov 2014"
...
"
Norethisterone 350 micrograms - Micronor® and Noriday®.
Levonorgestrel 30 micrograms - Norgeston®.
Desogestrel 75 micrograms - Cerazette®, Aizea®, Cerelle® and Nacrez®."
...
"Disadvantages of a progestogen-only contraceptive pill (compared with a combined oral contraceptive pill)"*
...
"There is an increased risk of ovarian cysts, perhaps up to 30%. They are usually reversible and do not require operation."
...
*Contraception - progestogen-only methods; NICE CKS, June 2012 (UK access only)
Link deleted.
"... Professional Reference articles are written by UK doctors and are based on research evidence, UK and European Guidelines. They are designed for health professionals to use."
Note:UK translation - Progestogen=Progestin, Norethisterone=Norethindrone
2. search: gov PubMed
NCBI, NLM, U.S. National Institute of Health
Micromedex Consumer Medication Information. Published: February 1, 2018
"Norethindrone (By mouth)"
"Warnings"
...
"Ovarian cysts that might twist or break[.]"
...
Link deleted.
"PubMed Health is a service provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM)"
3. PDR Consumer Monograph(s)
"Ortho Micronor
Generic Name: (norethindrone)"
" Last Revised: 11/2015"
...
"What are the possible side effects of this medication?"
...
"Less common side effects may include:"
"Ovarian cysts (small sacs of fluid in the ovary) with symptoms such as abdominal pain."
Link deleted.
"Jolivette
Generic Name: (norethindrone)
Last Revised: 09/2014"
...
"What are the possible side effects of this medication?"
...
"Less common side effects may include:"
...
"Ovarian cysts (small sacs of fluid in the ovary) with symptoms such as abdominal (stomach area) pain."
...
Link deleted.
4. search: gov Womenshealth
A-Z topics ovarian cysts
"Are ovarian cysts ever an emergency?
Yes, sometimes. ..."
Link deleted.
The Office on Women's Health (OWH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
5. search: gov MedLibrary
FDA Approved Medication Information
"Jolivette (Page 2 of 4)
By Actavis Pharma, Inc. | Last revised: 15 March 2017"
...
"WARNINGS"
...
"2. Delayed Follicular Atresia/Ovarian Cysts
If follicular development occurs, atresia of the follicle is sometimes delayed and the follicle may continue to grow beyond the size it would attain in a normal cycle. Generally these enlarged follicles disappear spontaneously. Often they areasymptomatic; in some cases they are associated with mild abdominal pain. Rarely they may twist or rupture, requiring surgical intervention."
Link deleted.
"Jolivette (Page 3 of 4)
By Actavis Pharma, Inc. | Last revised: 15 March 2017"
"DETAILED PATIENT LABELING
Jolivette® (norethindrone) Tablets"
...
"RISKS OF TAKING POPs"
...
"WARNING: If you have sudden or severe pain in your lower abdomen or stomach area, you may have an ectopic pregnancy or an ovarian cyst. If this happens, you should contact your healthcare professional immediately."
...
"Ovarian Cysts
These cysts are small sacs of fluid in the ovary. They are more common among POP users than among users of most other birth control methods.
They usually disappear without treatment and rarely cause problems."
Link deleted.
"Our medication database comes directly from the FDA’s central repository of drug labels and package inserts under the Standard Product Labeling standard. ..."
Hi, I have a 10cm dermoid cyst and have never taken the contraceptive pill due to it causing me high blood pressure when I was a teenager. I'm now 51 and was diagnosed with the cyst 13 months ago.
I'm sorry. I wish you well. Unfortunately, I don't see how the little I know would help you at this stage. Especially since dermoid cysts are not the kind of ovarian cysts that was in what I read for this drug.
That said, the ingredient that causes cysts has been around since the 1950s. It has been in many drugs. Those drugs have been used to treat a number of different conditions. Too many different drugs and conditions to list. Heres an incomplete list of keywords, some broad categories where this ingredient might have turned up: hormone therapy, gynecological treatments(all kinds), appetite stimulation, hormones, steroids.