For women with hormonally induced SVT/arrhythmias.

[SillyHeart]

I know I'm not the only woman whose SVT and heart symptoms get much worse after ovulation and before menstruation.  My question is, has anyone had success eliminating the arrhythmias with hormonal treatments?  For example, the birth control pill?  Have any of you tried taking the pill, and if so, how did it affect your heart rhythm?

I would never have SVT if I didn't PMS, which is really frustrating.

[upbeat633]

There is a definite connection, at least for me. But I don't know if I can answer your question based on my own situation.

I used to take a birthcontrol pill in my 20's and 30's. However, I can not honestly say it reduced the frequency of my pvcs, they have always seemed to be high.

However, I did stop taking the pill at some point, I don't remember my age at the time, and it could have increased the pvcs, I'm just not sure.

I have since developed uterine fibroids and with the extra estrogen they produce, it has contributed to more pvcs. I think I'm the only woman who is looking for some relief in menopause!  

[finetilthree]

I am looking forward to menopause also!! My mom's heart flutters tormented her for years until they finally calmed down after menopause!

Silly, I def notice a hormonal connection as well, but I can't figure out how to fix it.  I tried the bc pill and after ONE pill, my heart went insane.  I was having extra beats to the tune of once every ten seconds for hours.  It was horrible and I threw out $70 dollars worth of pills the same day I bought them.  Never to try that again!

[SillyHeart]

finetilthree, do you have any memory of what brand or type of pill you were taking?  it would be interesting to try to figure out if it's the estrogen or the progesterone that increases the arrhythmias.  i know each pill has higher doses of one or the other.

Your mom's story is comforting.  I hope I get relief at menopause too, although sadly I probably have 25 years left before I get there.  :(

[jkfrench]

I think the bcp has helped my pvc's.  I have been taking if for 10 years.  I have some friends that are going through the peri menopause and tried those progesterone/estrogen creams and stopped within a few days because their hearts were flipping out.  I for one, am not going to try any of those creams and hope that my hot flashes and mood swings won't be too bad.  I'm already getting mood swings at 47.  Also, I'm having trouble sleeping now and am told it is hormones.  The compounding pharmacy out here is big on those hormone creams and they tell me if I use them I will sleep like a baby.  I DOUBT IT.  The name of my bc pills is Kariva 28 day tablet.  But that is the generic name and I don't see the non generic name on the box.  Also my ob/gyn told me it is a really low dose because we want to see how close to menapause I am.
Frenchie

[artskip]

I used the vivielle patch which is just estrogen. I was suppose to use the patch,  then two weeks later use the prometrium pill (which is progesterone) . After about 2 days with the patch my heart rate went very high, I took the patch off and never tried the prometrium pill. In about 24 hours my heart rate returned to ,well.. normal for me. In my case I found out the it's the estrogen that gives me the racing heart.

[SillyHeart]

Interesting, artskip.  Thank you.

[Momto3]

Same problems as Upbeat.....I think it was the beginning of pre-menopause that kicked everything into high gear for me.  I keep hearing the entire process can take up to ten years...I've got to be close!  

BC pill didn't seem to have any effect on my pvcs....

[acjviolin]

Yes, there is a defined connection with me between pre-menstrual weeks and my heart really acting up.  Has anyone ever considered a hysterectomy?  I'm wondering if that might take care of things...I'm overdue to see my Gynocologist.  I would like to have my hormone levels tested before ovulation and about three days prior to the onset of my period.  Can anyone educate me about this process?  (I live in a fairly rural area- the docs are up for any suggestions they can get!).

[SillyHeart]

I can't imagine that a hysterectomy would solve anything since the uterus itself does not produce the hormones responsible for the menstrual cycle.  The ovaries do that, and there are many health risks to having the ovaries removed.

But I would also like to have hormone levels tested before and after ovulation and I don't know who to turn to have this done.  I'm going to try my gyno first.

[upbeat633]

I'd suggest a good naturopathic doctor for checking hormone levels, especially if the levels need balancing, I think they would be able to treat the most appropriately for this concern.

[iamfaithful]

Yes, my PVC's act up before and after my cycle.  When it first started happening everyone thought I was going perimenopause (sp?), but they checked  me for that and no such luck :-)  I did have uterine firbroids but had a procedure done last summer to shrink thej; however, I am going to the OBGYN because I don't think the procedure worked as well as it should have.  
It's hard dealing with hormones raging, mood swings AND an increase in PVC's.  Yikes!

[svtmom1213]

I also believe that hormones influence the SVT.  My daughter would have episodes once a month always right before her cycle.  When I mentioned it to her cardiologist (male) he said maybe it was connected, but never went any further then that.  My daughter is now taking medication daily to control her SVT after 2 failed ablations.

[SillyHeart]

I wish we could find a doctor who would take seriously the connection and help think about how it could be addressed.

[Leslie613]

Funny, my palpitations seem to increase in the week AFTER my period....does anyone know if that is related to hormones?

[acjviolin]

Thanks for the dialogue!  Sillyheart: thanks for the explanation- very helpful.  Take care:)

[SillyHeart]

Leslie, yes it could be hormonal.  It could be the spike in hormones that come just before ovulation, OR it could be some other physiological change that happens as a result of your period coming.  For example, maybe you lose a lot of water weight after your period comes and it disrupts your electrolyte balance.