Alesse

[Steph_8188]

I was on Alesse for the past 3 yrs or so. The last year though, I experienced spotting the week before my period. It didn't happen every time, but every other month or so, I would have a bit of spotting. It was nothing too serious, just more of an inconvience than anything.
I really liked Alesse, and I didn't gain weight from it and it helped stabalize my moods. I just recently have to switch off of it because I had break through bleeding that lasted over 10 days after my actual period. The doctor said it's because my body needs a higher dosage, than what is in Alesse (20mcg).
Good Luck!

[Angel1981]

I have been on Alesse for about 2 1/2 years now and I have experienced spotting a week before my period too. Sometimes I wouldn't have the spotting and then for 3 months in a row I'd have it. I'm experiencing it now. Grr I think it's at the times when I stress the most. That seems to be when it's happening. Other than that I experience the norm before my period. PMS, boobs hurt, a little cramp here and there, and an occasional mood swing and love for chocolate. If the spotting continues however, I think I'm going to see my doctor because your body does change over time. Sex drive has been all right. I wonder if some of you are on the generic kind though? That's the kind I have, and the generic brand for Alesse is Aviane. Hope some of this helps and some of you have actually helped me.

[dd annie]

Alesse was a much calmer form of BCP for me, but I had no sex drive whatsoever. I got an IUD instead.

Alesse made me feel real calm, and nothing seemed to matter.

[Guineapig5]

No weight gain, no sexual problems. My only side effect is spotting - pretty annoying though. BCPs are so individual in its effects!

[Jenteal]

Took many and kinds. I posted all of them somewhere on another topic. Never had an weight gain, break through bleeding or loss of sex drive but I did get migrains. I am now back on Desogen and migrains are gone. I had looked up info on each brand they doctor gave me before taking and they all said that weight gain is a possibility.

It really depends on your body's chemistry. If the chemical makeup of one BC does not work try another. Somtimes it can be the binding agents of the dye that may give you unwanted side effects. Or it could be that the dosage is just not right for your body. With over 30 types of birth control there should be one that is better for you. Here are some names of them.

Alesse, Apri, Aviane, Brevicon, Camila, Cryselle, Cylessa, Desogen, Demulen 1/35, Demulen 1/50, Enpresse, Errin, Estrostep FE, Genora 1/35, Genora 1/50, Jenest, Kariva, Lessina, Levlen, Levlite Ethinyl, Levora,Loestrin 1/20, Loestrin 1.5/30,
Lo Ogestrel, Lo/Ovral, Microgestin FE 1/20, Microgestin 1.5/30, Mircette, Modicon, Mononessa, Necon 7/7/7, Necon 10/11,Necon 1/35,Necon 1/50, Nelova 1/35, Nelova 1/50, Nora-be, Nordette, Norethin 1/35, Norethin 1/50,Nor-Q.D, Norinyl 1/35, Norinyl 1/50, Nortrel 1/35, Nortrel 7/7/7,Ogestrel, Ovrette, Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen,Ortho Evra, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, Ortho-Novum 10/11, Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 1/50, Ortho Tri-cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, Ovcon 35, Ovcon 50, Ovral,
Portia, Seasonale, Sprintec, Tri-Norinyl, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Trivora,Velivet,
Yasmin, Zovia 1/35E, Zovia 1/

Jenteal