Beginning Seasonale...looong period!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2004
Beginning Seasonale...looong period!
8
Wed, 03-17-2004 - 9:53am
So I have read that a lot of users have gotten breakthrough bleeding on Seasonale. I started Seasonale after being off the pill for a few months the Sunday before last. The day I started it was also the day I got my period. And as of today, my period hasn't stopped...that's 11 days. Does this count as brekthrough bleeding? I figured once the hormones kicked in my period would stop. Did this happen to others?

Thanks. :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-27-2003
Wed, 03-17-2004 - 6:43pm
Hi

I don't have an answer for you. Actually I just read about Seasonal in a magazine and it sounded great so I thought I would come to this board and find out if anyone had used it. I live in Canada and it is currently not avalable yet but once it is I'd like to try it, unless an 11 day period is "normal"? How are you doing on Seasonal now? Has your period stopped? I'd love an update. And anyone else who has tried Seasonal, I'd like to here your storys too.


Thanks Val

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 03-18-2004 - 7:19am
If you have Nordette in Canada, it's the same thing, just different packaging and a different manufacturer, but the hormone dose is exactly the same as Seasonale!
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 03-18-2004 - 7:25am

Sometimes this happens when a woman first starts the pill.

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Thu, 03-18-2004 - 5:05pm
Hi...I have been using Seasonale for about 2 months now. While I havent had any heavy bleeding, I have had a bit of spotting and occasionally, break through bleeding. I though, started the Seasonale pill on the last active day of my Estrostep pills. While I did I have period on the Seasonale, it was very lite, it lasted for about 7 days. Usually, my periods are about 4 days, so that was a bit different. I would say, just give it some time. It is going to take a while for your body to adjust to the longer time between your periods. My doctor has said that everything I am experiencing is normal and that after a few cycles, it should even out.

Lots of luck with everything.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 03-18-2004 - 10:05pm
Hi,

It's been a while since I've posted here, but I thought I'd give my experience with Seasonale. I participated in the FDA study for Seasonale and have used it since January of 2002. I have to say, it's tremendous, you get so spoiled not having your period. The only reason I didn't continue using Seasonale after the study is because I have very bad breakouts, and Seasonale wasn't helping. Also, I noticed my sex drive was lower. My study coordinator said that was because of the type of progestin used.

Here's what happened to me: I started on Seasonale Ultra-Lo for the first three packs. Towards the end of the first pack I had breakthrough bleeding for a couple of weeks, then it went straight into my period. The same thing happened with my second pack. That was considered normal. After it happened on the third pack I was switched to Seasonale Lo, and never had breakthrough bleeding after that.

Another thing that I noticed, on the regular 28 day pills (I'm a Sunday starter) I would get my period late Tuesday or early Wednesday and it would last 3-4 days. On Seasonale I didn't get my period until Thursday, usually around mid-day. Plus, it only lasted two days, with a third day of very light spotting. It was much lighter, not even heavey enough for a light tampon. I did NOT, however, notice any difference with cramps. I get them on all pills I've used. And like any other BCP can cause weight gain, I gained weight. Over 25 pounds in two years. The study coordinator said that many other women gained at least that much also.

I've been off Seasonale since the end of January, and let me tell you, you get so used to not ever having your period. I've seen a dermatologist who has prescribed me some new medication for my acne. If that goes well, I'm definitely telling my doc in June that I want to be back on Seasonale. It's great. I honestly can't say enough.

Please, if you have any questions for me, email me.

Treselaine

treselaine@yahoo.com

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2004
Sun, 03-21-2004 - 11:58am
Well, it will be two weeks tomorrow that I started Seasonale and I'm still bleeding. :/ It's a light light flow and dark brown. I guess this is normal, two weeks just does seem excessive. I know my body has to adjust to having all the hormones back in it, as I'd been off pills for a few months before Seasonale. It's just beginning to get annoying...I wish I knew when it would stop!! Thanks for the advice and any more similar experiences to be shared would be aprpeciated! :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2003
Fri, 03-26-2004 - 12:42am
I've been on Seasonale for three months and didn't have any breakthrough bleeding. I just got my period for the first time on it and it also didn't start until Thursday (today). But, I can't believe how bad my cramps are! I haven't had cramps this bad since I was in high school....I can't even stay standing when they come on. I've never had this problem with any other bcp and I've been on tons of different ones. But other than that, it is so worth it. I love this pill. And I actually found that my sex drive has gone up, probably because I never have PMS now and don't usually have my period...which meant that before, two weeks out of the month I didn't feel much like having sex, with my bloated tummy, irritability, and just general yukkiness....this pill is so much better. I would definitely stick with it!
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Fri, 03-26-2004 - 8:46am
Same here-I started Seasonale after ending a cycle of Loestrin and I've had a light flow of dark brown, gooey stuff. I've been wearing a panty liner every day for--almost 2 weeks now. I've never had break-through bleeding with any other Pill (and I tried Alesse, Triphasil and Ortho-Tri-Cyclen) but I figure it'll even out soon--it's nice saving a little money on prescriptions, too!