Loestrin 24 Fe--Lots of questions!

DKScully · 05-16-2006, 05:49 PM

Hi everyone! I guess I should start with a little bit of background info, regarding my experiences with birth control.

I am 26 years old and suffer from PMDD, to the extent that I am on Lexapro for the emotional symptoms. My cramps are horrible, my flow is heavy for at least seven days per cycle (which is typically around 21 days, but still varies). I've had all kinds of tests--blood, ultrasound, and apparently I am fine, physically. I'm just "unlucky." Thus, I've been on birth control to ease my symptoms.

I started with Yasmin, which made me totally anxious, depressed, moody, etc., even on the anti-depressants. And, it didn't even regulate my cycle that well. I was switched to NuvaRing, which had less deterimental emotional effects for me, but didn't regulate my cycle (i.e., my period would come before I took the ring out--it was the same deal on Yasmin... it would come before I reached the placebo pills). Not to mention, my sex drive was low on all of these, and the addition of Lexapro made it worse, of course.

Yesterday, I went to the gynecologist, yet again asking what I can do about my symptoms (I tried stopping birth control for a few months to see how I did without it.... Still bad news.) He recommended Loestrin 24 Fe, saying that the extra three days of hormones (as opposed to the typical 21) might shorten my days of bleeding and decrease PMS symptoms.

I've done some searches online, and since this formulation of Loestrin just came out in February, I wasn't able to find much information, so I would like to hear ANYTHING any of you know about this medication, even if it only serves to ease my mind when starting something so newly introduced. Here are a few things I'm curious about:

1. Does anyone know how different this is from older versions of Leostrin? (I BELIEVE anyway, that other formulations have been out there for a while?)

2. What kinds of side effects do people suffer with this pill? Weight gain? Improved or increased acne? Emotional symptoms--depression, mood swings?

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4. Is it possible to REALLY have less than three days of bleeding per month, as they advertise?

ANY thoughts about this would be appreciated, even if you've only heard about it through the grapevine. I am just nervous about it because there seems to be so little info about it out there.

Thanks so much!

ace8484 · 05-18-2006, 09:36 AM

Loestrin 24 FE is a very new pill introduced to the market within the last few months, It may be unlikely that you will get a response regarding the 3-day period, because of how new it is. The loestrin 24 Fe website states that this occurs within 6 cycles (6 months). I don't think anyone has taken 6 packs of loestrin 24 yet, so you may not have an accurate response.

BTW, I take mircette(kariva) and my period usually only lasts about 3-4 days, and hasn't lasted longer than 4 days in over a year.

There are lots of different loestrins!
Loestrin 24 Fe: newest, has the same hormones as loestrin 1/20 but with 24 active pills, and 4 placebo iron pills, supposedly a shorter period?
Loestrin 1/20: 1mg norethindrone, and 20mcg of ethinyl estradiol, this is a "low-dose" pill, no iron in the placebo's
Loestrin 1/20 Fe: same as loestrin 1/20 but with iron in the placebo pills
Loestrin 1.5/30: higher dose pill than loestrin 1/20, with more of both hormones.
Loestrin 1.5/30 Fe: with iron

For your other questions, you might want to search the forums for any of these pills, which have the same amounts of the same hormones (only 21 days of hormones, not 24): Junel 1/20, Loestrin 1/20, Microgestin 1/20, and their respective Fe versions with iron.

DKScully · 05-19-2006, 11:07 AM

Thanks for your reply!

Yeah, I did some research, and I'm starting to wonder if my OB/GYN has any reason whatsoever to think this will be better for me. With the lower hormones, I would think, if anything, my periods might be worse than they were on yasmin or NuvaRing, though I guess maybe the three extra days of hormone might make the difference? And I am not all that optimistic that it'll help with acne or mood swings.... Ugh!

ace8484 · 05-19-2006, 07:02 PM

Estrogen is what stimulates the endometrial lining to thicken in the first 14 days of a "natural" cycle (without oral contraceptives), so maybe less estrogen means less endometrial thickening, and a lighter period?

sapphire99 · 05-20-2006, 01:58 AM

This is the first I have heard about a new LoEstrin pill. I took Loestrin 1/20 for 3 months and decided I couldn't take it anymore! It made my face break out so bad, I lost all my libido, I gained 5 pounds and was depressed alot! I thought it was great though that I had about a 4 day period on it. I am now about to start my 4th month on Demulen... I am trying to stick this out and see if it stops causing me to break out, beacause other than that it is perfect... I still have libido, I dont feel as if I have gained any weight, not depressed, and best of all my period is only 1 day (I am not kidding). I am just crossing my fingers hoping that it will stop breaking me out so bad.