Switching Pills: Anyone tried Loestrin24
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Switching Pills: Anyone tried Loestrin24
| Sat, 10-28-2006 - 9:23pm |
I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen-lo for about a year now, and before that I was on regular Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Although this pill has been great for contraceptive reasons, I have not gotten the benefit of the short periods that they claim, at least not as a rule. Some months I get no period, some months my period lasts for almost a week and it drives me nuts! I'm a 37-year old woman with no intention of having children and I'm in a monogomous, very active relationship. So when I saw the ads for Loestin24 (the "shorter periods" pill) I was very interested.
My concerns are as follows: I think that the hormone dosage is even lower than my current pill so that's a little scary. I'm pretty good about taking it at the same time each day, and almost never vary more than 10 minutes, but I'm a natural worrier about its effectiveness. I won't be able to get into my doctor to make this switch until my next cycle so I was hoping to get some opinions of anyone who has tried the new Loestin24 pill. I don't like trying out new medications as a rule, because I always remember the horrible fen-fen (sp) incident of that diet pill where there were some fatalities. Finding detailed experiences about taking different pills is very difficult, and outside of looking at the Pill's website, I'm not sure where to turn. I'm also wondering about the different combination of hormones and what would be the safest combination. They are also different pharmaceutical companies (Orhto, who everyone knows, and Warner Chilcott? Who are they??)
Anyway, any insight would be absolutely wonderful.
Thanks in advance!
My concerns are as follows: I think that the hormone dosage is even lower than my current pill so that's a little scary. I'm pretty good about taking it at the same time each day, and almost never vary more than 10 minutes, but I'm a natural worrier about its effectiveness. I won't be able to get into my doctor to make this switch until my next cycle so I was hoping to get some opinions of anyone who has tried the new Loestin24 pill. I don't like trying out new medications as a rule, because I always remember the horrible fen-fen (sp) incident of that diet pill where there were some fatalities. Finding detailed experiences about taking different pills is very difficult, and outside of looking at the Pill's website, I'm not sure where to turn. I'm also wondering about the different combination of hormones and what would be the safest combination. They are also different pharmaceutical companies (Orhto, who everyone knows, and Warner Chilcott? Who are they??)
Anyway, any insight would be absolutely wonderful.
Thanks in advance!

Loestrin 24 is actually not a new pill,
Forgive me if this posts twice; I had a weird moment with my keyboard and lost the message I was working on!
Thank you for the great info but I do have a few follow up questions:
I was actually on OTC for about a year and indeed, I had regular periods, but I have always had regular periods that last about 4 days. When I heard that there was a lower hormone option, I went to OTC-lo because I really hate the idea of taking extra hormones that aren't necessary. So OTC-lo was great for awhile; my periods essentially stopped for two months, then I'd have about a 5 day period one month.
Now it seems like that effect is wearing off and I'm having about 5 miserable days of bleeding each month. I hate my period, and would completely stop it if I could do so safely. I don't want to have kids. And I am extraordinarily fond of the intimacy I have with my man, so this pill is just serving to make me surly for about a week out of the month, when I can't be with him as I want.
The rub is that I'm 37 years old and I worry about putting any kind of hormones into my body. I am very good about visiting the doctor but I'm a huge worrier. However, I want to explore my options which is why I posted here for some info. My doctor is very popular and difficult to get an appointment with, so I want to have all my info in order before I speak with her.
What is the difference with Ortho Cyclen and the two Tri-Cyclens?
Thanks again, and of course I would love any additional info or insight!