Hi all,

I just returned from a dreadful gynecologist appt., where the doctor didn't even say hello to me, didn't do a full exam (no breast exam, no chest/lung listening, etc.) and had his P.A. student come in and ask if I had any questions and sent me on my way.

The reason I had gone in the first place is that I am on Seasonale, and for the past eight weeks, I have had spotting -- sometimes very light brown, sometimes very dark brown/red -- and it doesn't seem to want to subside. Last month I started a new pack immediately after ending the previous one (instead of the week off) due to a trip I had planned.

If my constant spotting is due simply to messing around with my pill, I will just grin and bear it (well, not really grinning, but I'll deal -- although eight weeks is a MIGHTY long time). However, I have read that sometimes there's a need to switch pills if they "wear off" -- I have been on Seasonale for two years now.

Other symptoms include abdominal pain, and overall a general "gassy" feeling, although I have no indigestion or actual gas.

I know this is purely speculative to ask, but would you just assume it's the pills causing the spotting, and I can just go to Planned Parenthood to discuss possibly changing pills? Has anyone else had this problem with Seasonale?

Or should I be concerned about possible more serious problems?

I was on Seasonale not too long ago and I hated it. Like you, I was spotting for about two months and I couldn't take it anymore. If you can stand it long enough, the spotting will quit over the course of your pill taking, but I couldn't handle it and I switched to Ovcon-35, which I love. However, Seasonale would probably be great if you can deal with it. Your body is more or less "confused" and is probably wondering when you are going to start taking inactive pills, but yes this is a major side effect of seasonale. Good luck with that and I hoped I helped a little.