should I try again?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
should I try again?
3
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 4:19pm
I am really struggling with whether or not to go back on the pill. I took them for about 8 years and I have been off of them for about 1 1/2 yrs. I started out on Desogen, then switched to Ortho Tri Cyclen (had terrible headaches all the time) then, I took Loestrin for several years (headaches on off week).The last couple of year s that I was on them I had horrible headaches (during my period week) Dr. seemed to think that it was because of hormone withdrawl, so she changed me to Mircette and I took that for probably 1 year. I decided to quit taking them for various reasons, not only the headaches, but problems with depresssion. I have been very happy off of them, I no longer take antideppressants..I know that alot of my problems had to do with other circumstances in my life and not just the pill...so, I talked to my Dr. yesterday about trying the pill again. She gave me rx for Aleese, she had initially suggested Seasonale to eliminate the headaches during my period (since I would only be off of the hormones every 3 months) but it does have a higher hormone level that others that I have taken, so she suggested that I try Aleese and just take 3 continuous packs..I am very temped to try again,I would love to be able to have sex without worrying about a condom! I know my SO would really enjoy that too!!Anyone else tried this?.......
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 9:55pm
Are you asking if people have tried going back-to-back with Alesse? There was a clinical trial for a version of Seasonale that is the same formulation as Alesse (the one that's on the market is the same formulation as Nordette), but I'm not sure how well it went. In theory, it may work for you, though it may be more challenging because there is less progestin. You can try it, though, after you get adjusted to it again, and see how long you can go before the bleeding starts. There's no reason that it wouldn't work, necessarily, it just depends on whether your body is cool with it or not.

If it doesn't work, and if you have the headaches, you can always stop. But if you don't try it, you won't know if maybe a very low dose pill might work better. If you decide that you're looking for an even lower dose of hormones, Nuvaring is still out there, the lowest dose on the US market.

You know that only you can decide if this is a gamble you're willing to take...but we're here for you whichever way it goes! Good luck, please keep us posted!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 12:36am
Hi,

The various pills have varying effects on different people for sure...and I wish you well, but I have to report that I just struck out for the 3rd time on trying the pill:( Years ago I took Lo Ovral...later tried Triphasil...and for the last 6 months, OTC Lo. Each time I became lethargic, frustrated and depressed. I never took anti depressents, because I always quit the pill rather than take them, but would have needed them if I elected to continue bcp's. This time the first three months were very good...I thought, "OK, I can do this" but then starting with the 5th cycle...yikes...I sunk lo really fast. I went through a 6th cycle because I convinced myself that the previous feelings were due to some issues and chronic pain I had been having...but no, I crashed again in the 6th month.

Please just make a deal with someone...like your mom or SO that they can tell you if you are not doing OK? I NEEDED my DH and mom to tell me to quit the pill this time...like you I so badly wanted sexual freedom w/o fear of pregnancy (even at 44 years old, lol!) that I would not have quit them if these people who love me had not convinced me to do so.

Best of luck with your decision,

Sandy

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 11:22am
There are other options out there besides pills. I went through horrible problems with depression and my moods on birth control pills. I don't even know how many different brands I tried, but every single one caused some type of bad problem for me. In my case, it seems it was the estrogen in the pill that I was overly sensitive to.

If you're wanting to have sex without condoms, then have you considered getting an IUD? I got a Mirena IUD, and all the pill-related problems I had are gone now. I feel great, my depression is gone, and I'm 99.9% protected against pregnancy. There's nothing more free than not only being protected, but also not having to worry about taking a pill every single day.