BC Pill & Dieting = :(

Just wondering if anyone that has taken the BC "Alesse" has experienced any major side affects, mainly: crying w/o reason, major lower back pain, slight insomnia.

I asked my doc for the lowest dose pill available on the market (I live in Canada) with the least side effects and "Alesse" was prescribed (each tablet contains 100 ug levonorgestrl & 20 ug ethinyl estradiol).

Well, I'm 4 days into my second cycle of these pills and I'm losing my mind. I'm not an emotional chic by any means but these things are turning me into a sob story, and the lower back pain is hell. I very well may have pinched a nerve or strained my lower back muscles from weight training as there is inflammation. I have an appointment to see a Chiro Doc next week to find out for sure the cause for this.

I have begun my dieting this week as I'm considering doing an amateur show in 12 weeks. I've never experienced such moods as this while dieting strictly before so I'm thinking it's that *&$# pill! I'm supposed to start cycling clen next week but I'm not sure I can handle the insanity of both drugs!! This is my first time on the pill in like 9 years - I'd really like to scrap these all together.

Is there such thing as a no-estrogen pill? I've asked my doc but she's never heard of such pill...she's investigating for me. Any other low-estrogen pill suggestions or at least reply with a shared pain!!! Tkx!!!

Why are you on the pill in the first place? Do you have some pre-existing condition that warrants taking birth control (such as PCOS), or are you on it just for contraception? If you're taking it for the latter reason, have you explored other options with your gynecologist? The Paragard IUD (www.paragardiud.com) has an incredibly low failure rate, and it's the only non-hormonal IUD on the market. I'd love to get one, but my gynecologist says I'm too young, and need to have had a child first.

My roommate was on Alesse and she was a bitch! She was extremely moody and she lost all interest in sex with her bf. Luckily she switched to a higher dose pill and now she's cool again.
I think a lot of times women assume that the lowest dose of added hormones would be the best, but it could actually cause you to have even lower levels of estrogen and progesterone than you would naturally (no pill). This is because the pill does not supplement the hormones you already have; instead it shuts off your ovaries as your body becomes reliant on the hormones in the pill. I also don't think that going with an estrogen-free pill would be all that beneficial, except maybe for fat loss, because the side effects you're describing usually have to do with estrogen/progesterone imbalances. Still, to answer your question, I believe I've heard that there is such a thing as the minipill, which is just progesterone without the estrogen. If you're thinking about staying on the pill but going with a different brand, I can tell you that I've had no problems with Loestrin FE 1.5/30. Several friends have had similar experiences with no sideeffects.

I was on Alesse for about 6 months and then had to switch to a higher dose because it just wasn't strong enough for me.. I was breaking through every 2 weeks..ugh.. every 3 is bad enough. haha. But on Alesse I was super-bitch. When I moved to a higher dose pill, I never experinced any of those problems, or even weight gain.

I'm on the pill for contraception purposes only!! Let's just say that I found out the hard way that I'm fertile and the fact is that I don't want kids anytime in the next 60 yrs!!! My doc would also not prescribe the IUD either, as I'm only 27 and she told me that it could cause many complications being so young. I'm not interested in taking the needles like depo or norplant either - have heard too many horror stories about their side effects.

I can't say I've been bitchy at all, it takes a lot more to press my buttons. I'm just more emotional (sad/a little paranoid) - which I have a hard time dealing with as I'm a very, very laid back person. There are no major stresses in my life so I can't really attribute to this. I've also had no problems with my sex life...if anything at all!! Sex has helped actually, don't think I am capable of not wanting sex!!!! Good endorphins!!

And the only good thing so far about this pill is that my period has gone from 5 (w/o the pill) to only 3 days!! No weight gain, bloating or water retention either which is great!!

I'll have to ask my doc about Loestrin FE 1.5/30...thanks for the suggestions!!! Most helpful. Hopefully it's available here in Canada. The estrogen-free pill is really what I want but I guess I'll have to deal with the hormonal imbalances if the trade off aids in weight loss (esp. with my contest dieting). & not getting pregnant of course!! I'll likely come off the pill a few more weeks out from the comp. or sooner if I think it's hindering my dieting/training too much.

"My doc would also not prescribe the IUD either, as I'm only 27 and she
told me that it could cause many complications being so young. "

Find another doctor.

BTW, if you feel a need to explain to your doctor why you want an IUD, first you remind them that THEY work for YOU and it's YOUR body. Secondly, refer them to recent research articles such as:

Modern intra-uterine contraception: a better option

Hamerlynck JV, Knuist M.

Users of oral contraceptives have an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism as well as mammary cancer. This raises
the question as to whether locally applied (intrauterine) contraceptives can offer a valuable alternative with respect to efficiency and
safety. During the past decade the use of modern intrauterine devices (IUDs) has made substantial progress in comparison with the use
of IUDs during the 1970s and 1980s. Modern IUDs have become more efficient than oral contraception. Arguments against the use of
IUDs (problems and complications in IUD insertion, the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility as well as
side effects such as menorrhagia, pelvic cramps and IUD expulsion) generally appear to be based on a lack of awareness with respect
to recent developments and on misunderstandings derived from bad experiences during the 1980s and earlier.

I've had an IUD for 5 years and love it. I'd never had any kids and wasn't planning to in this lifetime, and it hasn't given me a moment's trouble. I think the insertion is easier for women who've given birth, but it was over quickly and certainly worth getting away from synthetic hormones. If you're not married/in a long-term monogomous relationship, then you doctor may be wary, as this would put you at greater risk for infection.

I'm not married but in a monogomous relationship...and 27 isn't all that young now is it? lol

As for the IUD, what are you all using?

I'd like to get away from the synthetic hormones for sure. Thanks for the info MS, I'll be sure to show her this info!!! If she's still hesitant then aidos doc. It's all about me!

Ugh...why does not wanting children have to be so complicated!!

As for the IUD, what are you all using?

Paraguard Copper-T

Ugh...why does not wanting children have to be so complicated!!

If you ever find the answer to that question, please let me know