Seasonale

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2004
Seasonale
25
Mon, 05-31-2004 - 9:01pm
Has anyone been taking this and having lots of spotting? I've been on it 4wks and got all the symptoms that I was going to start a period, bloating, cravings etc and have been spotting for 10 days. Anyone had good or bad expiriences with this? I'm trying to decide if I'm going to stay on it. Thanks for all input.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: pastabean
Mon, 05-31-2004 - 9:27pm
Hi pastabean, welcome!

Irregular bleeding is very common when starting Seasonale. It will usually disappear within the first 3 or 4 extended cycle packs of Seasonale. See: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12954519&dopt=Abstract Most of the members posting here about Seasonale have reported bleeding. The only way you are going to be able to tell if Seasonale will be right for you is to hang in there.

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2004
In reply to: pastabean
Mon, 05-31-2004 - 9:47pm
I am thinking about starting to use Seasonale after having been on a 28 day pill for more than 15 years. I work full time, have two small children and a very busy life style and the thought of having a period only four times a year sounds very appealing. I have heard that excessive weight gain as well as spotting are problems. Does anybody have experience enough to address these issues?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
In reply to: pastabean
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 11:31am
I'm in my 6th week of Seasonale, after successful use of other oral contraceptives over the years (so i'm not generally problem-prone). so far I haven't had any spotting or breakthrough bleeding or noticeable weight gain (I don't own a scale so I can't be sure). In fact, my only symptoms have been indicative of depression -- which is common for me on BCP. I actually got nervous when 5 weeks passed without any bleeding, because my doctor had told me to expect some bleeding when I would normally have a period. For peace of mind I took two pregnancy tests (one in the afternoon and one first thing next morning, i get them for free since I work in a hospital lab) and both were negative. So, overall I'd say I'm having a good experience starting Seasonale, better than average. The only hump I'm having a hard time getting over is the depression and irritability. I figure that will go away after a couple months like it did when I started my previous brand of pills.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
In reply to: pastabean
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 12:11pm
I am on Seasonale right now. I have just begun my 5th week. I am going to stick with it since I have been told that it can take several packs to work it all out. So far I have had several acne breakouts, but I can keep them controlled with products. I began bleeding last Wednesday and it has been an odd "period". To reveal the intimate details of it, rather than normal bleeding it has been almost gel like. It hasn't really been absorbing into the pads, instead staying somewhat solid and on top of the pad. I have been told this is a sign that my body is trying to "hold it in", and therefore is a good thing. In addition, my mood has gone down. Unlike my perivous periods, I have had cramps, though very mild, throught the bleeding. I have been somewhat depressed and have had trouble with panic since going on it. This is another symptom that I have been told will go away after so many packs. I have a lot of hope for it, but since it is still early it isn't exactly pleasant right now. Good luck in making your decision.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
In reply to: pastabean
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 1:21pm
I forgot to mention in my other post, but I also had some acne breakouts early on. Basically, I hadn't realized that the progestin in Seasonale was a lot different than on my previous pills (OTC) and my skincare regimen was no longer appropriate. Where before my skin had been very dry, it's not anymore. Once I changed to different cleansers and a different moisturizer (and a nightly salicylic acid lotion) my skin has been very clear, less problematic than before, even.

Also, schdj_sb1: I'm *so* glad to hear that panic is a normal side effect on these pills. I couldn't sleep at all last week because I felt anxious all the time, and then I spent the weekend fighting a big bout of depression. No fun! I'm so relieved that I'm not alone with these symptoms.

(for the record, my BF has been very supportive of this whole rollercoaster, as have my friends.)

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2004
In reply to: pastabean
Wed, 06-02-2004 - 10:56pm
I too was on 28 day pill then had 2 children and tried seasonale, I was am hungry and lots of bleeding. I just decieded to stop, not worth the weight and bleeding.

Maggie
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
In reply to: pastabean
Thu, 06-03-2004 - 5:37pm
just out of curiosity, how long were you on the seasonale before the side effects got to be too much?
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2004
In reply to: pastabean
Fri, 06-04-2004 - 10:32pm
How long were you on Seasonale before decided to give up on it? Once you stopped taking it did your symptoms and weight gain disappear?
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2004
In reply to: pastabean
Fri, 06-04-2004 - 10:38pm
Thanks for the info - I hear so many mixed reviews that I'm still skeptical about starting it. Sunday is the day I either do or don't. I have had no negative reactions to the use of the pill I've been on for so many years, I wonder if the plays any part in predicting how my body will respond to Seasonale.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: pastabean
Fri, 06-04-2004 - 11:49pm
Hi sweetie, welcome!

If you are happy with your present pill why don't you try going back-to-back with the active pills using your present brand and see how that works for you? If it works well then you could have your doc. write your Rx for the additional packs you will need for a years supply. There is nothing special about Seasonale. It is the same formulation as the 21/7 regimen Nordette but in an 84/7 extended cycle pack. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck

      Jill

    

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