Seasonale Sucks
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Seasonale Sucks
| Wed, 11-10-2004 - 12:55pm |
I am on my 11th week of my first pack of Seasonale. The first four weeks were great with no BTB. Then at the end of four weeks I started bleeding much like a regular period. The bleeding really hasn't stopped. Somedays will be clear but then I'll have some spotting and other days I will have a gush of heavy blood so I have learned to be prepared for anything! My sex drive has gone to nill. I am constantly hungry and I have gained about 5 pounds. I don't know if that is because of the pill because I usually have a healthy appetite. :) I'm thinking about going back to Triphasil which I had been taking for about 20 years with no problems. I would like to find out if there are any health benefits for me with sticking with the Seasonale versus Triphasil. I am 37 years old and have been lately wondering if I should stop taking these bc pills. I would also like to hear from anyone who tried seasonale and had problems in the beginning but stuck with it and the BTB stopped. Just wondering if the BTB really does stop by sticking with Seasonale. I mean, waiting for three cycles (9 months) of Seasonale doesn't seem worth it to me.
I look forward to hearing any replies.
Thank you. -Trudy

Irregular bleeding is very common when starting Seasonale. As far as health benefits of Seasonale, there are none that I know of that other pills don't provide. Seasonale is the same formulation of hormones (but from a different manufacturer) as Nordette, a 21/7 regimen pill that has been available for quite a while. The only 'benefit' of Seasonale is it's packaging in an 84/7 regimen that permits 4 periods a year for those women who can use it successfully. After the 12th week when you have your placebo week I think the bleeding should stop.
When you begin your next pack, if irregular bleeding starts again, you might try stopping your active pills to get your period and then continue with the actives in your pack. As with other pills don't go longer than 7 24-hour days between active pills or you will use your protection. A caution: If you try stopping mid-pack to get your period be sure to take at least 21 consecutive active pills before stopping. That way you should be assured of being protected for 7 hormone free days. If you have to stop briefly mid-pack to control the bleeding, the interval between bleeds should lengthen. It's your call as to whether you want to stick it out for several extended cycles to see if Seasonale will work for you. Let us know what you decide and how you're doing, ok?
Good luck,
Jill
You might try what I suggested in another post to this discussion, (stopping briefly mid pack when bleeding starts) and see if you can get adjusted to Seasonale that way. As I said, there is nothing special about Seasonale, other than the packaging. You could try skipping on another monophasic pill, one that has the same dose of hormones in each active pill. Once you find a pill that works well for you as a 21/7 pill you can try going back-to-back on it. Let us know how you're doing and what you decide, ok?
Good luck,
Jill
Thank you so much for your reply and advice. I would have never thought to stop mid-pack for 7 days to control the BTB. I'll try it and let you know how it goes.
Cheers,
-Trudy
I agree. I'm only on the end of week 8 but have been spotting since the end of week 6. I called my doctor's office and her nurse told me it could continue for a few more days or for the rest of my pack. To me it's not worth it. I've been on Ovcon for the last year and just switched to Seasonale. I think I'd rather have 13 periods a year and at least know when they are going to start and end than to have 4 with daily spotting and btb. At 36 I'd just as soon not have one at all.
Glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks Seasonale sucks!