Alesse vs. Mircette Side Effects?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2004
Alesse vs. Mircette Side Effects?
5
Wed, 06-09-2004 - 6:17pm
I am considering going back on bcp after about 10 years using condoms. I was on Ortho Tri-cyclen in the past, gained weight, moody,no sex drive, etc, and am curious about these "low dose" pills. Would love to hear from anyone on either of these pills, as these are they ones dr suggested I try. Side effects?

Thanks for any info!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Wed, 06-09-2004 - 6:53pm
Hi,

I may not be much help because I don't take Alesse or Mircette but I am taking low dose pills and I do know that one of the common side effects of low dose pills is breakthrough bleeding which as you know is bleeding between periods. I also have mood swings, depression mainly... cry for no reason at all, and nausea during the active pills and acne breakouts and terrible headaches when I get on the inactive pills. My doctor says this is normal and should clear up by cycle four, I'm on cycle three. what I'm really getting at is my doctor said that this is common with all low dose pills. Good luck to you.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 06-09-2004 - 7:34pm
never used micrette....I was on alesse for a few years a while back and I didn't have any side effects.I liked it...good luck with whatever you choose.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2004
Mon, 06-14-2004 - 10:31pm
Hi,

I have used Mircette but not Alesse. I had very, very bad luck with Mircette. I felt very hungry and was crying often, and it caused cystic acne for me, much worse than my skin is off birth control pills altogether, and it did not go away until I stopped taking it. Your mileage may vary. I think Mircette had too much progestin for me. If I had it to do over again I'd try Alesse, but again, I haven't taken that one so I can't recommend it either.

Anita

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2004
Mon, 06-21-2004 - 1:21am
Mircette is WONDERFUL for me. The first BCP I tried was Ortho-Cyclen and I was moody, always feeling bloated and would wake up in the middle of the night to throw up. It was HORRIBLE. So the kind folks at Planned Parenthood suggested I try a low dose pill and I ended up on Mircette. The first week, I would feel a little nauseous, but that's the only side effect that I have EVER had from the pill. My bf and I rarely use condoms when we have sex and I feel confident that these pills keep me well protected...I get my periods (which are MUCH lighter than before and dont come with cramping) regularly. Hands down, I say Mircette is wonderful. If you take it, I hope it works for you!

-lucinda-

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-28-2003
Wed, 06-23-2004 - 6:48pm
Sorry this is so late but I just saw it!!

I'm a very happy Alesse user. The first three months were absolute hell; I had bleeding all the time, I was moody, depressed, and I woke up on some mornings wanting to vomit but not being able to.

HOWEVER, after that passed I have had no side effects at all, it has not lowered my libido, I'm not moody, I'm not gaining weight, etc. I'd recommend it, although I know everyone is different.

GOOD LUCK!

-Alex