what are the best/most favored BC Pills? [Archive]

PotNoodlez4

06-29-2004, 09:33 PM

I was originally placed on ortho-novum 777 4 years ago. I then switched to Levora for the past year and just recently (the past month) I've been trying the patch (which I'm not happy with). So, I'm looking to switch back to pills. My best friend has been on Orth-tri-cyclen and likes them alot. Another friend is on Yasmin(e?). So just wondering if any of you girls out there have found a pill that seems to work really well for you. I know everyone is different but I'd just like to know some opinions on whats available out there. Thanks! :)

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susanna_29

06-30-2004, 02:35 AM

My personal opinion on them is I would never suggest anyone go on the pill. It's not worth the risks. I can't wear contacts, I have gained weight from them, very emotional, no sex drive at all, and acne . All my problems disappeared after I stopped after 9 years of taking it. I've tried desogen, Demulen, Ortho-tricylen, Alesse and Yasmin. Did not like any of them. I wouldn't recommend any bcp to anyone.

Reina90

06-30-2004, 03:42 AM

I am on Mircette and I absolutely love it. It is a low dose pill and I haven't had a single problem with it. If you do a search on these boards for Micette, the majority of women who have used it seem to have liked it. Of course, everyone is different and some women have horrible experiences with it. I was on the patch before it and had all kinds of side effects like sore breasts, spotting, and my emotions acting up. Mircette has been a real relief.

PotNoodlez4

06-30-2004, 10:36 AM

Hmm, I'll have to do some research on Mircette, never even heard of it before you mentioned it. The worst thing about the patch for me was the extremely sore breasts and that it would start peeling off 2 days after I put it on. Anyone else have any favorites or recommendations for pills I should look into?

monarchangel

06-30-2004, 12:41 PM

I was on desogen and I absolutely HATED it. I suffered awful side effects for almost a year until I woke up and realized my problems were related to the pill. Anyways, I switched to a much lower dose, Microgstin fe 1/20 and so far so good. I already lost six pounds, ny face is clearing up, and I don't feel like I am ready to kill soemone at every moment of the day. I also got terrible migranes with desogen, but so far I haven't had one yet with this new one!!!! I would tell you to stay away from desogen because a lot of my friends have had huge problems with that as well. The microgestin is a low dose, so I would try a low dose pill at first because I think you are less likely to experience the side effects.

alleycat

06-30-2004, 01:19 PM

Sarara

06-30-2004, 02:46 PM

Sarara

06-30-2004, 02:48 PM

Oh, I forgot to mention that the generic forms of Loestrin are called Microgestin or Junelle. They're all the exact same thing.

-Sara

Bella535

06-30-2004, 03:06 PM

I've tried alot of pills and my favorite was the ortho tri cyclen low. It was the only pill that didnt make me feel like a cow! I think I may have gained weight from it. I would love to blame the weight gain on the pills but I'm really not sure.

Dakota

06-30-2004, 06:27 PM

I was on Ovcon35 for a few days and reacted so violently to it the doc took me off....Put me on a P.O.P Ortho Micronor and I love it....the only side affect I have is less periods (roughly every 2 months instead of one)....

twtyfn0621

06-30-2004, 07:33 PM

I am on Nordette 28 (.15mg levonorgestrel/ 0.03mg ethinyl estradil)and i love it. I haven't experienced any side effects besides my breast growing bigger and my butt ( i gained the weight in those areas) but besides that everything is fine. I have been on Nordette for 7 months and was on a genric form of it before that for 1 year and 3 months.

Aimee8396

06-30-2004, 09:37 PM

I LOVE Mircette!!!!!!!! I was on Ortho Tri and I HATED it, I was a crazed psycho on it. I do much better with the monophasic pills. I was also on the Nuvaring, which was great. I'm planning on going back on that at my next appointment. I'm not the best pill taker, so the ring was great for me. The patch though I think is triphasic (three hormone levels) which is why some women go nuts on them. Good luck!

DragosSmurfy

07-01-2004, 11:20 AM

Hi! I'm 21 and I've been taking "the Pill" now since I was about 16. I started on Tricyclen (I think that's what it was) which didn't work for me at all. I've been on Triphasil now for a very long time and I'm very happy with it. It's made me gain a bit of weight, yes, but with work, it comes off. Other than that, I haven't had any side effects at all. My best advice is to go to your doctor, local free clinic, women's clinic, and ask there about your different options for different brands of the pill. They should be able to give you all the info you need and are looking for. And just because one person had bad side effects to a pill, doesn't mean you will. My friend take Tricyclen and it works great for her. Good luck!

euglena

07-01-2004, 02:16 PM

Every woman's body is different, so it's hard to judge which pill will be the best for you.

It sucks to say this, but I think the best is to just try the lower dose ones (Alesse or Dianne) for 3 months and if it doesn't work (you get spotting, etc), try stronger ones like Ortho.

Good luck.

PotNoodlez4

07-01-2004, 11:09 PM

Thanks so much for everyones responses! :) Well, I did some research and talked to my doctor and I've decided to try Mircette; actually I got the generic brand called Kariva. Same thing but $15 cheaper at my pharmacy! Thats always a good thing! I've noticed a few people saying that they saw an increase in breast size on certain pills. I never saw those results on me till I tried the patch a month ago. B to a C in only 1 month, swear to God! And I'm quite petite so that didn't make me too happy! I think it might have only been swelling though because I've been off the patch for a week now and seem to be a B cup again! My boyfriend says my butt got bigger too this past month; much to his liking :D Anyways, thanks again for everyones replies and opinions!

Cyndee

07-02-2004, 04:28 PM

I've been on Triphasil, Lo-Ovral, Ortho Tri Cy, Ortho Tri Lo, Yasmin and Estrostep FE. I had problems with all of them, especially Yasmin. The biggest problem -- no sex drive and moody all the time. I have been on Seasonale for 3 months now and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE it. My sex drive is back and I feel like my old self again -- I have energy, my moods are great, no weight gain, plus you only get your period 4 times per year. I highly recommend Seasonale. Good luck.

PC82

07-03-2004, 12:35 AM

I started Seasonale 7 weeks ago and refuse to take it anymore. I took it specifically to have only 4 periods a year and have lighter ones. One in three women in the first pack will have breakthrough bleeding (comparable to a period) for 20 days or more. Funny how they don't specify if that is 25 days or 50 days. I have been bleeding since June 8, a total of 3 1/2 weeks. Excuse me but isn't it supposed to make you bleed LESS? Today I had clots the size of Texas. Sorry, but I do that NORMALLY without a BCP.

My doctor told me to stop it, but I was going to do it anyway today, regardless. I couldn't take it anymore. My body can bleed excessively on its own. I'd rather have my heavy painful 8 day period than a heavy 24 day one.

The dr has suggested once my body has a period on its own to try OvCon35. I apparently need more estrogen to control the bleeding.

Reina90

09-24-2004, 04:02 AM

kermitjmb

09-24-2004, 10:06 AM

I too was on Seasonale, for continious bc-for endometriosis-I started to bleed day after I started taking the pill. I bled for 4 weeks, my breasts swelled and were very tender. I had very bad mood swings as well. I stopped taking Seasonale and I am now on Nuva ring, which is ok.

besafe20

09-24-2004, 12:59 PM

I am on nuva ring and really like it. I hate swallowing pills so this was the best option plus no side effects!

verylongday

09-24-2004, 01:04 PM

I LOVE Ovcon 35 -- have very few issues with it, and take it straight through for three months at a time (4 periods a year). I have a progestin intolerance that makes me react very badly to Ortho Tri Cyclen and Estrostep and the like -- just a few weeks of either of those and my blood pressure goes through the roof, I gained almost 10 pounds in 11 days on Estrostep, killer mood swings, you name it. I did the Ortho for over a year and symptoms never lessened (before we realized the symptoms ever WERE the pill and not something else).

But I also know someone who tried Ovcon and she had bad reactions from it, but lives Ortho Tri Cyclen. . . so it REALLY is an individual thing -- about what you body can and cannot handle :-)

ImASadGirl22

09-24-2004, 01:57 PM

ive been on so many different pills. othro tri cyclen, allesse, desogen, demulen (i think its called) one other and now estrostep. i have been on the pill for 8 years and this is one of the only pills that i havent had any side effects with. i get my period for 2-3 days tops and its very light. very rare i get bad cramps too. i have been on this pill about 2 years i guess.
orthro tri cyclen gave me really bad acne - even though it helps some people with it. with the others i gained weight, didnt get my period (which wasnt bad after the dr told me that that can sometimes happen, but just made me a little paranoid at the time), and had no sex drive. :eek:

jill30

09-26-2004, 08:58 PM

Yasmine. I have been on it for 2 months and have no side effects from it. I highly recommended it.

lobo1977

01-07-2005, 07:21 PM

Yasmin too. Also to the poster who said they wouldnt suggest BCP at ALL - you have ot remember, BCP is rx'd for some peoples medical issues - for me I have PCOS and I skip periods which is horrible for your system and it regulates me. Medically worth it no matter waht the side affects (though some pills will have less SA then others)

Yasmin is great, my skin looks great, i feel great and lost 10 lbs! but you have to try whats right for you and your body

jenanoelle

01-07-2005, 08:07 PM

So far, I've tried Alesse, the Patch, and Yasmin.. and, I can understand how Yasmin has become so popular, since I haven't had any side effects, oh, unless you count the *excessive* crying. I'm really hoping that'll go away, because other than that, the pill seems to be lightyears ahead of the patch, I had an apparent allergy to the glue, I got sores, migraines, horrible horrible breast pains.. (not to mention melon sized breasts.), Alesse.. I have no complaints about. I took it a good 2-3 years ago now, and from what I remember, it was a good enough experience, I was a little bit moody, but that's nothing compared to the hour-long on and off bawl fests on Yasmin.. then again, apparently most women don't get that.. so, you could be lucky.

Smiley123

01-08-2005, 10:29 PM

I just started bcp the Sunday before last I am on Ovcon35. I don't really have any complaints about it just every once in a while I feel a little nauseaded but I think its probably worth the nausea.
Try taking your pill at night before you go to bed. You wont be as nauseated.

BJM04

01-09-2005, 12:00 PM

I've been on orthoTricyclen gave me horible skin...Demulen use to work then i went off and back on and got bad headaches...Alesse i got a huge appetite gained 7 pounds and had terrible beleeding breakthrough..so i recently went off bc pills all together..

Gingi7

01-09-2005, 06:21 PM

I have taken Mercitte in the past and have had experienced horrible depression while on it. Everyone is different. I ended up going to my doctor and switching pills. She highly recommended Yasmin.

pandi428

01-09-2005, 11:47 PM

I have taken Mercitte in the past and have had experienced horrible depression while on it. Everyone is different. I ended up going to my doctor and switching pills. She highly recommended Yasmin.

I was on Mircette a while back, and got very depressed on it as well.

queenbluebee

04-04-2005, 01:54 AM

I used Ortho-tricyclen for about 10 years. Now that I've changed insurance they will pay for Ortho-Novum 777, and TriNovum ED so that's what I will start taking.

kyethra

04-15-2005, 02:36 PM

I cannot say enough good things about the nuva ring.

I did not want to take another pill as I am on several prescriptions already.

Some advantages of the ring are that it is less likely to be affected by other meds (provigil for example) because it is local.
You put it in once every three weeks and its not problem. Take it out and one week with out it, then put a new one in. There is a little timer that comes with the starter kit so you don't even have to remember when.
very high rate of effectiveness
not as likely to be affected by weight again (again, because it is local)
comfortable and won't cause irritation to sensitive skin

I love it. I did not want the shot because I was worried about weight gain and so forth. I have not gained any weight on this or had any side effects on this. Its made my periods sooo much better. I used to get horrible periods more frequently than usual- lots of pain, very heavy, long lasting. Now my periods are very light. Low cramping. Short.

unlike a diaphram I can also use a condom with this if I want for extra protection (plus I am allergic to spermicide).

When I went on provigil I talked to my doctors about this extensively as there is a question of whether or not provigil effects birth control meds. Studies show that any reaction that takes place is most likely in the digestive tract. Nuva ring is local, so no interaction. So my gyno suggested that I either stay on the ring or try an IUD. But I didn't like some potential side effects of the IUD (increased chance of cysts) and so forth, so I stayed on the ring.

I've been on this for about a year and a half now. If I oversleep and take my pills late I don't have to worry about decreased effectiveness. Or if I have tummy problems and can't keep things down (I also have GERD) its not another concern for me.

I love the ring.

rush_rulz

04-22-2005, 05:17 PM

Yes, i agree taking the Pill at night--I've been doing that since I started and I've never gotten nauseaus yet.

But, Jill and others who are on Yasmin for a short period of time: I too didn't have *any * negative side effects on it, until later on...a year passed and I said hmm a bit bigger boobs (then I was a 36 B/ Cish depending on brand), and I gained 10 lbs. I thought I was just eating too much--you know-on my 1200 calorie a day diet...

:S

So, I excercised, continued to eat right, and burned a lot of "calories" and a year LATER I gained like 20 lbs.

This was back when I was on Alesse of course--but w/ the Yasmin, though I can get the weight down gradually, my boobs are now a 36 D--they were a b/c borderline when I started Yasmin a year ago AND i've had a slew of other problems but the issues didn't begin till a year was almost up on the pills. When my dr asked how my periods were and I told him I bleed more and more, I still am and back whenhe first put me on the pill he promised "all" of my side effects I had on alesse would go away....

Yeah right. Having an 8 day period instead of a 4 day on that I had on alesse.

evelyn1

07-25-2005, 07:10 PM

{Removed} Please make your own seperate thread for your questions so you can get more accurate answers and the original poster can get their questions answered.~Modinatrix21

DannyLea

07-25-2005, 07:24 PM

I have been on the Depo for 6 mon. and have decided to go off, of it. The last two months I have had every pregnancy sysmptom you can have with out being pregnant. I was sick after everything I ate. Sometimes I was sick for no reason. Mood swings. Weird Cramps. Headaches. I had weight gain but only in my stomach. I was really, really tired all the time. Also I even got pregnant after my first month of taking the Depo, then I miscarried. So I really don't like this, and I haven't heard of many that do.

cremebrulee

07-25-2005, 10:06 PM

I started off taking Orth Tri when I was younger. It was the most popular BC during that time. I hated it. I got off it but later tried it again. It was still as bad as I remembered. I talked to my dermatologist and she recommended that I see my gyno and get a prescription for Yasmin. I felt like I was not on anything at all. No side effects. I did notice that I no longer had cravings and I was less bloated. I did some reading and for some reason I wanted to try Diane-35. It is not availble in the US so I ordered it from another country. I'm on my second week. I heard it is supposed to help with my skin. If anything my skin is worse right now. I feel sick. I am emotional. Just last week when I returned home from visiting my bf, I was on the phone with him and I cried.
I'm considering going back to Yasmin if I don't start to feel better. The only problem is that I bought a six month supply of it and don't want to waste it.

starsofglass

07-26-2005, 04:32 AM

Diane 35 is strong stuff, I had horrible side effects... Not to mention: it only helps with certain types of acne (acne caused by too many male hormones), so it didn't help for me. They do say that the acne only gets better after a few months, but it didn't with me, and I couldn't take the side effects...

Ankyra80

07-26-2005, 10:57 AM

I recommend Loestrin 1/20 . I was on Ortho Tricyclen, and it gave me terrible PMS and no sex drive, because it is a rather high-dose pill, especially for a younger person who makes plenty of their own estrogen. Then I moved down to Loestrin 1.5/30 and I was happier, but I broke out in pimples all over my chin once a month. After a couple months of that, I moved down to Loestrin 1/20, which is one of the lower-dose pills out there, and I am very happy. I always think that if you are going to be taking something artificial, it is best to put in the least amount you can get away with. Just because it is low dose doesn't mean it is less effective.

Do some online research.....you can find charts comparing the levels of estrogen and progestin in different pills, and I'd say go for the lowest you can find.

-Sara

I agree with Sara...

Im on Microgestrin 1/20 (generic form of Loestrin 1/20).. and its been cool so far. I had some spotting on the 2nd week of my first pack but it wuickly went away.... my periods are light, and about 3 days long (as opposed to my usual 6 day period)... im on my 2nd pack now and i dont seem to have any of the bad side effects... my sex drive hasnt decreased, but im a sexual person anyway so i dont think it will (its a personality thing).

:wave:

Shaelynn

05-23-2006, 11:23 AM

I recommend Loestrin 1/20 . I was on Ortho Tricyclen, and it gave me terrible PMS and no sex drive, because it is a rather high-dose pill, especially for a younger person who makes plenty of their own estrogen. Then I moved down to Loestrin 1.5/30 and I was happier, but I broke out in pimples all over my chin once a month. After a couple months of that, I moved down to Loestrin 1/20, which is one of the lower-dose pills out there, and I am very happy. I always think that if you are going to be taking something artificial, it is best to put in the least amount you can get away with. Just because it is low dose doesn't mean it is less effective.

Do some online research.....you can find charts comparing the levels of estrogen and progestin in different pills, and I'd say go for the lowest you can find.

-Sara

LoEstrin made me wake up with night sweats and I was DRY all of the time which made for painful sex. I know everyone is different, but I hated this pill and Desogen was WORSE! Yasmin gave me headaches, nausea, and dizziness. I am going to try Kariva next month...I hope it meshes well with my system.

mystic_star

05-23-2006, 12:53 PM

Defenitely Mircette! Awesome pill! :bouncing:

austinl

05-23-2006, 08:11 PM

I agree with Sara...

Im on Microgestrin 1/20 (generic form of Loestrin 1/20).. and its been cool so far. I had some spotting on the 2nd week of my first pack but it wuickly went away.... my periods are light, and about 3 days long (as opposed to my usual 6 day period)... im on my 2nd pack now and i dont seem to have any of the bad side effects... my sex drive hasnt decreased, but im a sexual person anyway so i dont think it will (its a personality thing).

:wave:

Don't be so sure! I know several people that were completely sex crazy and then went on either the pill or the NuvaRing only to completely lose their sex drive...

Hurt.

07-18-2006, 06:30 PM

I'm starting my 3rd month of Loestrin Fe 1.5/30, well, actually the generic brand. Which is Junel. It's a low dose, so I was doing some research on it, wondering if it still would be effective against getting pregnant. My doctor said it would be, but I was wondering how. I found a couple forums that had side effects listed. A couple women said that the generic, Junel, wasn't the same thing and didn't work as well and have them bad depression and mood swings, which has me kind of worried. I started the pill due to really heavy periods and bad cramps. It's supposed to make it a lot better, but so far it hasn't. The first month, my period was only slightly lighter, and lasted a lot longer than normal, and I had severe cramps. This one is the same. Still gushy and painful. The doc. said it would take about 3 months to regulate, but shouldn't it be improving at least a little by now? And my mother says if it doesn't start working in another 2 months to just stop taking it, but I also want it for birth control. I'm hoping that it starts to work or that my doctor will give me a different one. Does anyone have any suggestions?

lily931

07-20-2006, 05:01 PM

i am taking Microgestrin 1/20, and so far i like it. i was pretty nervous when i looked it up. people were complaining that it is not the same as loestrin, and that it has all sorts of crazy side effects, like terrible acne,extreme depression, really bad stomach pain, weight gain... etc. so i far i haven't really experienced any of those side effects. at first my stomach did hurt alot, but it went away after the first week. i haven't gained any weight. i haven't broken out everywhere, but i did get like one pimple when i started my period, and i have noticed that my face has been more greasy. as far as depression goes, i already have issues with depression, and ever since i started taking Microgestrin 1/20, i feel like it has regulated my mood a bit. i feel happier, and i'm not as anxious. oh and to that person who was complaining about dryness.. maybe u would want to try Microgestrin 1/20, because since i have started it.. i have noticed that i have been umm.. more lubricated than usual. my sex drive has also increased.

blondieblue98

07-20-2006, 06:24 PM

I just wondered about a b/c I haven't seen mentioned in this post...my doctor just started me on Tri-Levlen 28 two days ago. I know it is much too early to notice any changes but I wonder why this b/c wasn't mentioned. Is it new or not good? When I was first on b/c to regulate my periods I was on ortho-tri-cyclin and switched to Alesse(sp?) because of the nausea. I stopped taking those too because not only am I a bad pill taker, they seemed to disinigrate before I could get them down or they'd stick to my throat and make me feel sick. It was to the point where even the mention on b/c made me feel sick (psychological I know). So I have been on this new b/c for two days and it's been about 6 years since I last took b/c. I take mine as everyone else suggested before bed, I try to eat a snack with it because it feels like it helps it down a bit. The nice thing about this pill is they are coated kinda like ibprofin. The only thing I notice is sometimes I have a bad after taste, like an hour or so after I take it and I am still awake. Knowing this I don't think I would take it during the day because it just tastes nasty. But again, anyone know anything about tri-levlen 28?

Amelia'smom

07-28-2006, 11:51 PM

I've been on Estrostep FE for several months with no side effects. It's worked great for me. This is the only pill I can comment on; before this I was on the Ortho-Evra patch, which also worked great, but I won't take it now that it's been reported as too dangerous.

Kickle

07-31-2006, 09:55 AM

I took Ortho cept for a while 2 years ago and it messed with my moods, depression, anxiety, YUCK. So I decided to have my tubes tied. After that my periods got heavy and very painful so guess what? I am back on the pill. I take Lo-Ovral and like it. My cramps and spotting are gone and my mood is actually better. I also have endometriosis. It has helped it also, my libido is still there! Woohoo, but I also use estrogen and testosterone cream a couple times of week and I swear it helps increase the libido.

lylone

08-01-2006, 10:30 AM

I have been on bcp for almost 15 years now and highly recommend Alesse which I am on now. When I was in my 20s my periods would last for 2 weeks and nothing would stop the cramping pains. I would even miss college classes with being hunched in the fetal position in bed. I was placed on Ortho 777 and it gave me bad headaches. The was swtiched to Ortho tri-cyclen. That was about all that insurance would pay for. Still has some pain and preiods would last 7 days, but it was do-able. About five years ago, my new OB/GYN placed me on Alesse and it is awesome. I still have small headaches, and cramping, but just enough to let me know that the "parts" are still working. I can't wear tampons anymore at all because the flow is so light or non existant. All my friends are jealous. Most women I speak to would still be bothered by small headaches and cramping, but its just enough to let me know its there. I could not tell you the last time I bought a tampon or a maxipad though!;)
-Ly

Kickle

08-01-2006, 02:57 PM

lylone, can I ask how old your are? I am 43. I was actually considering Alesse but I was afraid it was too low to control my symptoms which are about the same as yours(I have endometriosis). I would like a lower estrogen pill. I am currently taking lo-ovral and it has 30 mcg, it is working fine except I have gained about 10 lbs and have a little melaomsa (sp?),I guess none of them are perfect!

Shaelynn

08-02-2006, 11:43 AM

I have been on this for two months now and the ONLY negative side effects I've noticed are, slight irritability but nothing compared to the psycho bi*** Ortho tricycline made me, and I now get cramping on the first day of my period which I've NEVER had before on the pill.

Also, some say their periods were shortened, mine have not been...they've remained the same as always, 5 days with moderate bleeding. My sex drive has maintained a constant which is good and my weight is stable, no noticeable weight gain. I don't get the water weight gain the week prior to my period and I do not have huge cravings for food the week prior either which is very nice.

I can manage the other two symptoms which I dont like (slight irritability and cramping) as I am hoping that after my body adjusts more, these will disappear.

Anyone else experience these on Kariva?

skylar19

08-09-2006, 11:57 AM

I have been on BC for about 10 years. I started on orthocyclen for the past 9. Last year I tried Nuvaring and alls I have to say is, I will never use it again. I wanted convenience b/c taking the pill got to be a pain every day. With Nuvaring I went into major mood swings, ended up with major depression and anxiety issues. I heard after I was on it for a few months that a friend had similiar issues. I was very disappointed in this product. Especially after doing research that MANY other women out there experienced it. I thought I was going crazy at one point. I did have a stressful life getting married and moving and what not but I did NOT have to be put through all that mess. I am off the ring for the past month and feeling better about depression. Anxiety is still around but not like it used to be. I am starting junel FE with hopes that I won't have my period for a few months and less side effects as my provider said so far she's had minimal complaints.

saige_27

08-10-2006, 01:45 PM

I am on my 3rd pack of Yaz and love it now. The first month was pure h---!!But since my "break through bleeding" has finally stopped, I love it. My periods are shorter, cramps are basically non-existent, mood swings are lots, lots better. The only time I have mood swings is during the 4 no hormone days.