OTC vs. OTC-Lo?
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| Sun, 07-02-2006 - 10:53am |
hello everybody!
i'm still fairly new to the boards and this is my first time posting in this section here but i'm in desperate need of some advice/recommendations!
i've only been on 2 kinds of bcp....ortho tri cyclen and ortho tri cyclen lo. i was on OTC first after i had my child and was on that for a few years (2-3 maybe?).
+ pros: clear skin...its been awhile since i've been on it but i don't think i broke out as much when i was taking it
- cons: libido was lower than low....i mean loowwww
just last year at my last check up i asked my doc to switch me to OTC-Lo...i don't know why i think i just wanted to try something a little different. i've been on OTC-Lo since then.
+ pros: libido came back...which was unexpected =)
- cons: i'm breaking out much more often...especially around that time of the month
my next doctor's appt. is in a few months and i don't knwo what to do! should i stick with the Lo and enjoy my sex life with bad skin or go back to OTC and have clear skin but be oh so down in the dumps...or should i try a different brand all together (which if you have any recommendations would be greatly appreciated because i haven't got a clue!)?
i'm also not sure if it was just the OTC to blame for my lagging libido at the time because i went through some serious post partum depression and was stressed out of my mind...so maybe it's not entirely to blame (as you can see i miss my clear skin!).
sorry if this entry was too long for you ladies but i'm lost and it's really a toss up as to what brand of bcp i go with next. i'm not used to breaking out this much =(
why can't i have clear skin and a roarin' libido?!?!
guess we can't have it all....

Hi there!
If you have a roaring libido on OTC-lo, you should feel very blessed! My libido is in the gutter with OTC-lo (this was my motivation for trying an IUD which caused me to panic and have removed, but that's another story). I am back on OTC-lo for now.
In fact, it is good to hear that yours returned with OTC-lo: my libido problem may have other factors such as extreme work stress (both emotional and long hours), poor diet (which I'm trying to fix!), poor excersise, poor sleep, etc. I've been working a second job and my health has gone down the drain in general, so I'm trying to improve the other factors to see how I feel.
I have also struggled with acne for >20 years and sympathize with what you are going through. If OTC killed your libido, I would not go back on OTC for the sake of clearning acne. Maybe try a dermatologist to see what they recommend, or try a skin regimen to clear your skin. AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) really cleared my skin - Neutrogena has a lotion called "Healthy Skin" which I use at night and wash off in the morning, which has really cleared my skin.
Good luck!
fuchsia
Hi natural_beaut, welcome!
Jill
I'd definiltey accept a few zits to have my libido back. lol. But seriously, I'd try one of two things.....depends on how much money you are willing to spend, or not spend.
Not spend way: Try the OTC, maybe it was the post-partum depression.
Spend money: use treatments for your acne, be it over the counter, or not.
Now, I can't say that it wont' be all screwy again, however, if it was me, I'd take the raging libido and run with it and screw the acne. lol. J/K. I'd try topical treatments, etc.
Good luck (I'm jealous).
It was
wow....thank you all for the advice and comments!
i really want to like this pill and stick with it. i'm not sure if other factors in my life are causing me to breakout (work, family...you know the deal). i'm really the kind of person who's scared to try new things so it would be almost impossible for me to think of another brand of bcp to go on.
now do bcp with higher estrogen levels usually lower ones libido? maybe that's why mine came back when i switched? i also heard that the higher the amount of estrogen in a pill, the more it will help with acne.
oh well i still have about 2 more months till my next gyno appt. to decide....but i have a feeling that i'm going to end up sticking with the Lo.
now i just have to figure out how to battle this acne!
thanks again ladies for your opinions!!!!
=)