Birth (out of) Control

May 12, 2006 9:56 AM

Asking for the girlfriend (if that wasn't clear): My significant other is plagued by oral contraceptive -induced sunlight sensitivity.

She's been on Cryselle (norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets) for about five years. While the pill has otherwise been good been good for her complexion, menstruation, and pregnancy prevention, her sunlight sensitivity has increased to the point where she gets a bumpy rash after only ten minutes outside on a partially cloudy day. Even with the Scandinavian genes, she was always able get and keep a good tan pre-pill.

Does anyone have a positive experience switching brands or types of hormonal contraceptives (oral/depo/whatever) to decrease a sensitivity to sunlight?

She'll pursue professional advice, of course. Still, her annual gynee visit is not until December, and for however much she doesn't want spend the summer under an umbrella, she'd prefer to save the expense if there's no point.

I'd take a pill if I could. Thanks.

posted by glibhamdreck to health & fitness (12 comments total)

Your such a good boyfriend to write in!! I suggest Ortho-Novum - it was good pill for me and like your girlfriend I too have a light complexion. My sister was on depo and didn't have a problem with sunlight sensivitity. Good luck!
posted by sassyellie at 10:29 AM on May 12, 2006

She should see a dermatologist, who can prescribe a few sessions in the light box and/or a cream to take down the rash. Gradual exposure to light helps immensely in some cases.
posted by desuetude at 10:38 AM on May 12, 2006

my vote is for switching kinds of pills as a first option, but make sure the type of synthetic hormone in the one you try is different from what you are doing now. i had been having headaches everyday among other problems while using the ortho family of birth control pills. switched to alesse, which has a different type of progestrin but the same estrogen, and instantly no more headaches. most forms of birth control have hormones in them, so if the pill is her preferred method, i would try some other options there first.
posted by domino at 11:38 AM on May 12, 2006

Recommending a specific pill for your significant other may not be the best idea, since what works well for one person will work badly for another. Every woman has a whole body's worth of complicating factors.

I tried Ortho Novum for a while, and it was awfull -- I'm talking severe cramps and constant bleeding. But when I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclin, everything improved.

A friend had bad experiences with Ortho Tri-Cyclin, and turned into a hormonal she-demon on Seasonale, but is now thrilled with Yasmin.

And I've heard of people who don't like Yasmin, either.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 11:51 AM on May 12, 2006

Definitely try another pill in the same type and dosage range - generally it is the combination / percentage of progestrin and estrogen that cause side effects in different people. I woule really advise against moving to depo from a low dosage pill - depo can induce some dramatic side effects as it dumps a large dose into your system - for me it meant terrible mood swings, a 30 lb weight gain in 6 months, and adult-onset acne. It took 2 years to get my system back to normal, and I only had one dose.

Alesse is my personal recommendation....
posted by hannahkitty at 12:02 PM on May 12, 2006

OCP's tend to cause melasma (which is a change in pigmentation) in susceptible patients. If she is having blistering or other rash-like symptoms, it would be advisable to visit a physician sooner rather than later. In a small percentage of patients, the use of OCP's can cause or unmask porphyria cutanea tarda or pseudoporphyria.

Google-fu

I'm a pathologist btw
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 12:53 PM on May 12, 2006

They make a "mini-pill" now as well with lower doses of hormones.

And why hasn't anyone recommended she use sunscreen daily? You can get non-greasy ones now that are blended with lotion, so you don't even feel it.
posted by IndigoRain at 8:37 PM on May 12, 2006

I would recommend that she talk to a doctor about the Nuva-ring, it has a lower dose of hormones than the pill and as such, all side effects are decreased. Just call up the gyno, explain the situation, and ask for a trial prescription of the ring. People switch birth control methods all the time and if a visit to the office is even required, it would certainly be a quick one.

I couldn't use the ring myself because my cervix kept trying to push it out of my body which was wicked uncomfortable (and way TMI, I know), but I have friends who LOVE it. HMMV.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 10:45 PM on May 12, 2006

On Depo: I used it for years and loved it, but recently found out that over time, it can decrease bone density. It's not a good long-term solution.

Also: Depo-Provera can have some HELLISH side effects for some people and you just have to wait until it leaves your body for them to go away. For this reason, even though it worked wonders for me (I was on it due to intense pain during menstruation and thus needed to eliminate my period entirely - it worked!), I never recommend it to anyone else unless their doctor has done so first.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 10:48 PM on May 12, 2006

Another vote for the Nuva Ring. I *love* it. I don't have to worry about it but twice a month, and its just about the lowest dose you can get, so I haven't noticed any side effects at all.
posted by gilsonal at 11:05 PM on May 12, 2006

I think I might be a little too late on this, but I switched around because not only would I get the rash... I'd get nauseous in sunlight. The last one I tried was Ortho Cyclin (the pill one step up from Ortho Tri-Cyclin) and still got nauseous, so I finally had to just go off the pills. Yeah, I have atrocious cramps. But if I take some advil liquigels every so often, I'm near perfect.

Near.
posted by damnjezebel at 8:40 PM on May 13, 2006

And why hasn't anyone recommended she use sunscreen daily?

Doesn't necessarily prevent getting rashy if photosensitive. Unfortunately. [sigh]
posted by desuetude at 8:02 PM on May 14, 2006