Need some advice on starting new BCP

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2003
Need some advice on starting new BCP
5
Tue, 05-18-2004 - 10:05pm
Hey!

About 2 months ago I stopped taking Ortho-Tri Cyclen Lo because I had terrible side effects, the worse being emotional. I was constantly depressed and completely lost my libido. I was taking the pill for 6 months.

Do any of you know of a low dosage BCP that has little emotional side effects? Any feedback will be helpful!

Thanks in advance

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2003
Wed, 05-19-2004 - 12:25am
Hi there,

I have been on YASMIN for almost a year now and I have to tell you, i have NO problems and nothing to complain about. I think its great and would reccomend it.

Just my 2 cents

Laura
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 05-19-2004 - 8:46am
How you respond to each pill will probably be different than how anybody else responds to it--we all have different experiences and what works for me (which happens to be Nuvaring) may not work for you.

Most of the pills on the market are low dose pills, are you asking about those that are very low dose? Right now very small estrogen doses are en vogue, it seems several of the pill manufacturers are putting out pills with 15-25 micrograms of estrogen (compared with the 30-35 microgram pills).

As far as libido goes, that can happen with any pill because it shuts down most of the function of the ovaries, which not only produce estrogen (which you add back with the pill) but also testosterone--that's why the pill helps with acne! But testosterone also fuels your libido.

Emotionally, it's hard to say which hormone might be responsible as depression has been linked both to estrogen and progestins.

For side effects like this, sometimes you just have to take a shot at something new and hope it works out well! But I wouldn't start with Ortho Cyclen or the patch--those are the same hormones as OTC Lo and OTC (well, technically the patch has a different progestin, but it's closely related to the one in OTC). Alesse is a 20mcg pill that has a low progestin dose, Nuvaring is very low in both progestin and estrogen (15mcg), Mircette has 20mcg of estrogen and a higher progestin dose...you have a bunch of options! And your doctor might have a suggestion too...

Good luck!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2004
Thu, 05-20-2004 - 4:11pm
Hi,

I just started OTC Lo and I feel EXACTLY the same. I was on Ortho Cyclen before and had these side effects on that pill, also. Was switched by my doc to make my skin a little better. I had great luck with Lo-Estrin 1/20, and horrible luck with Mircette. I am going back on Loestrin ASAP. This is just my experience and talk to your doc. Don't let them downplay your side effects either.

Good Luck.


Edited 5/20/2004 4:14 pm ET ET by girlnumber2

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2004
Fri, 05-21-2004 - 7:51am
I too was on oTC and then I switched to Yasmin, after that I had none of the side effects that I had on OTC. Like the emotional stuff, btb and headaches.

I agree with the other poster, don't let them talk you out of anything!! That has happened to me. Ultimatley, you'll have to keep trying to get hte right fit for you, as frusterating as that is!!

Good luck and keep us posted :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2003
Fri, 05-21-2004 - 8:15am
Hey all!

Thank you all so much for your responses!! They have helped SO much! I am scheduling an appointment with my GYN and hopefully will start a pill that will be a little more suited for me. Again, thanks so much!