Alesse & other OCs - please reply!

[Gladiola]

I'm on Alesse - have been for years & LOVE IT! Before that was on Mircette (also low dose - same dose, I think) & loved that too.

I am HAPPIER on Alesse than off a pill! I plan to never get off it. I'm less moody, crabby, emotional, etc.

However I have breakthrough bleeding. I often don't bleed on the inert pills (when you're supposed to) but I bleed in the middle of the cycle a little - very light spotting. Usually no cramps or moderate cramps.

I tried Loestrin & another to fix the breakthrough bleeding but gained weight & was SO much more moody, decided the breakthrough bleeding was worth it!

I never, on any of these pills, noticed a change in my boobs or hair - & I have lots of thick hair.

I did theorize that Alesse leaves me with less estrogen than I would have naturally - but I honestly don't know if that *IS* true - although some of our resident physiology experts (Wilson6, for example) said that is quite possible. It's possible with men that if you supplement testosterone & it's less than the natural amount, the testes stop producing test & the man is left with less than before - so I guess it's true for women too.

 

[Devils*Angel]

thanks for all the opinions, suggestions, and information.

i ended up getting minestrin 1/20 (which is the same as loestrin 1/20, it's just sold as minestrin in canada). i start it later this week, so we'll see how it goes.

the doctor was a total prick yesterday and was very impatient. i definitely won't be seeing him again if i can help it!

hopefully this new pill will get rid of the moodiness and moodswings that ortho tri-cyclen gave me, and hopefully i won't gain weight from it and it'll be easier for me to lose weight.

thanks again!

 

[Devils*Angel]

one more thing......
is <b>norethrindrone acetate</b> less androgenic then levonorgestrel?

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Side effects - completely irregular with heavy break through bleeding for up to 2 weeks at its worst. The first 3 months were the worst - bloating, water retention, heavy period, cramps, etc.

The positive is that the moodiness dropped pretty quickly and that always angry feeling left. While it started out like hell it has been getting better every month, however slowly but continuously. Oh and about 5 months to become regular.

Don't forget that no two people react the same, hormones are so unique person to person and I also have preexisting hormonal imbalances so my sides may be worse than the norm.

Besides, you can try it and always change your mind - just give it a try and see how it goes - it may just be perfect for you.

Velvett - I had the EXACT same changes when I switched BCP last fall. I switched from Ortho-Novum 777 (a triphasic pill) to Loestrin FE (low dose constant dose). The 777 was a higher dose (max 35mcg), and I wanted a low dose Loestrin has contact 20mcg).

The first 3 months I was miderable. I was emotional ALL month, cranky, irritable, in general, a raging B*TCH! I also had breakthrough bleeding, VERY tender breasts, started my period a week early, cramps, heavier period, you name it.

I begged the Doc to switch me back. I swore I made a mistake wanting to switch. He told me to stick it out a couple more months, and if I was still having problems, he'd switch me back.

Month 4 was better, month 5, good, and from there I have had NO problems. No PMS, no cramps, no nothing. My period is non-existant now. I get spotting, that is it. All I get is water retention, but with extra water and really watching salt intake, it is fine.