Attn All Women..cycle/hormones/PCOS & PVC's

[jessicups79]

I've read a few of your posts, and many have related their PVC's to horomones, cycle timing, and even PCOS (for those of you who have this, you know what it is..) I'm curious to know if you've had any doctors ADMIT to this connection, or tell you how to combat it. Our docs (here in Canada) are very overworked, and it seems alot of the time, they brush things off to stress/anxiety, which I'm sure may be partially or COMPLETELY responsible for many cases... However, that doesn't help me feel better, right? I want to know how to feel better. I can have NO anxiety or stress going on in my life, yet, the 2nd week of my cycle (leading to ovulation), I get wicked PVC's if I'm at all tired, if I drink, if I lay on my left side, or sometimes after I eat. This seems so obviously related to horomones...but doctors just don't do anything about it. Does anyone have answers??  Specifically those of you who suffer from PCOS, or infertility, b/c it appears these are all very closely linked issues...

[anacyde]

Ovulation is my biggest trigger.  If I drop my weight just a little, I go anovulatory for a few months, and the palpitations ease up.  My period is the second biggest culprit, but not anywhere near as bad as mid-cycle.  I even get bouts of SVT at ovulation, and I keep a calendar by temperature so I know which days to avoid sugar and exercise (which can trip them into high gear if I am already hormonal).

And yes, both my GP and my cardiologist said that hormones can definitely play a role in the frequency of PACs and PVCs.  I've been told they're no more dangerous because of the hormones, just more bothersome.  My GP was also brave enough to admit (lol) that I'm probably a bit more bothered by them on top of it because of changes in mood.  I agree with him ;)

[cats55]

I definitely think they are connected.  I live in the UK and everytime i go to the hosp or doctors complaining for my pvc's palpitations they always ask me whether i get painful or heavy menstruation so it must be connected.  I do but they never do follow up tests on that.

[fearfactor]

My doctor (a female) has said she knows they're connected to menstrual cycles.  I have noticed this is very true in myself - around ovulation or PMS, they get much worse.  During my pregnancy, they nearly went away but came back after I delivered and my hormones started getting back to normal.  I have heard using low-dose BCP can help to even out hormones but don't want to try it for fear it will mess things up even more.

[massage therapy]

wow, me too! i notice that particularly in times of ovulation, i get many more pac's. also, throughout the past several years, i've gone off birth control pills twice. the first time was 3 years ago, and that was when the pac's first appeared.  after several months they disappated.
then, about 5 months ago, i went off again, and BAM! the ectopic beats were back and worse than ever. and again, they calmed down after about 2 months. i wish there were more studies about hormone relation and these arrhymias.....but it certainly looks like we're onto something here.

[finetilthree]

Hi fearfactor.  I wanted to try bc pills too b/c I'm sure mine are hormonally related since mine started after childbirth and they are so much worse during my period.  My cardiologist said it is definitely hormonal, but bc pills probably won't help.  Of course, coming from a man, how would he know what would help.  I think I might take the plunge anyway.  It would be worth it to find my "cure"!

[Angie O Plasty]

I definitely notice a connection!  When I get PVC's, it's usually around the beginning of my period.  Occasionally I'll have the random episode at another time in my cycle, but they mostly occur around the beginning.  And it varies from month to month--some months it won't happen, and others I'll have a bunch of episodes (they generally last only a minute or so--not nearly like what some of you get, but I do notice it) over a day or two.  BTW, if you have been checked out and told you have a normal heart, try not to let these misfires bother you--it will only make you feel worse.

[finetilthree]

Has anyone tried birth control pills to try and curb this hormonal connection?  I am ready to try it.  I just got my period and they are off to the races.  It is definitely my hormones.  I really want to give it a try.  My docs say they are caused by adrenaline, but I can have a HUGE  adrenaline rush (my kids getting hurt, arguing, etc.) and not a single blip.  It's hormones!!!

[jessicups79]

Well isn't this interesting??

I will add that these PVC sxs are very much accentuated when I'm on Clomid (its a fertility drug used to treat many issues...such as PCOS). I was on it for 3 months back in the summer, and the 2nd week of my cycle was HORRIBLE. Then, I would ovulate, and voila! I'd be fine again! No palpatations til the next month at the same time!

I'm back on this stoopid drug again, which I'm not happy about...but I told my doc I'd give it one chance, then we'd have to try something else. We'll see.... I'm coming up on that dreaded week as we speak! Next week at this time, i should be ovulating.

I wish I could try the BCP option, however, I'm TRYING to get pregnant, so that won't work for me! Its funny you mention the BCP though, because I was on it since I was 14 until 2.5 years ago.....and guess when I got my 1st PVC??? One month later....

[roo920]

I am SO glad I found this website. I was online researching PVC's and the correlation to menstruation/ovulation and I happened upon this. I have had PVC's for years and I never made the connection to females hormones until I started perimenopause. I had an echocardiagram,EKG,blood tests and wore a Holter monitor and everything came back normal. However I continue to be disturbed by these awful skipped beats and palpitations. I have narrowed it down to ovulation, although I can get some right before my perriod too. They are scary and annoying, and anxiety-provoking, but I'm glad I'm not the only out there experiencing them.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

hum, i have not had mother nature since i was 23 and i still have the pac so i cant say mine has to do with that , they just come and go as they want to. no female stuff here took out at 23 so guess other things also cause them,

[bdarling]

I've suffered with PVCs right before the mensrual cycle begins for about a year now.  A cardiologist confirmed the connection and suggested I try taking a magnesium pill every day (over the counter at any pharmacy or health food store).  It has helped GREATLY.  I took two a day the first week, then once a day thereafter.  I highly recommend it!