Birth Control pill: which one are you on? good vs. bad

kch2 · 05-12-2008, 11:14 PM

Hey everyone. One of my treatment options is birth control. I am looking for one that doesn't make you gain weight...I realize it is an individual thing, but I am just looking for feed back on what everyone has been on and what they likes best..

I was originally on Yasmin. the first year was bad...i gained weight and my cup size went up an entire size (i didn't need that)....but after a year it went away and I liked it after that...

tukeetukee · 05-13-2008, 12:05 AM

OOH!! WAIT!!! i have a book on this.. it tells which is best for what situation (aka weight gain, moodiness, PCOS, hyperandrogenism, etc).

The author, a doctor, says by all means, AVOID DEPO PROVERA as it causes SO many side effects that the pill doesn't cause.

His list of "the best pills" is:
Yasmin- its progesterone is similar to spironolactone, so it's good for hyperandrogenism, spotting is infrequent, it has a tendancy to soothe pms symptoms

Ortho tri-cyclen and ortho cyclen- its nonandrogenic, cycle control is good. He says he likes ortho tri-cyclen Lo, but not for people taking it for therapeutic reasons such as acne or PCOS because of the lack of estrogen.

Desogen- nonandrogenic and a good overall pill.. the differences between desogen and cyclen and tri-cyclen are small.

Mircette- has active estrogen for 26 out of 28 days, instead of only 21. However, the progesterone is only in 21 pills, so you only have 2 days of pills that have NOTHING in them.. they still allow you to have a pill period because of the lack of estrogen in the last 7 pills, but reduce hormone fluctuations and migraines. Bleeding problems are low on this pill.

His list of "middle pills" is:

Ovcon 35- For women with mood problems on other pills, this may be the only pill tolerable. He says to maybe try yaz first, as it is just a bit better for mood swings.

Ortho-novum 1/35, ortho 7-7-7--- Have served many women well in the past, but have no real advantages.

Nordette- It is among the most androgenic of the low dose BCP's, so BAD FOR WOMEN WITH PCOS, but good for other women with bleeding problems on all the other pills.

Diane-35 ---The progestin in this is a testosterone blocker (It's Androcur). This isn't available in the US but many women get it from canada. The risk of blood clots may be slightly higher than with other BCP's.

His list of the "worst pills" is:
(He notes that these work fine for women who are just seeking contraception, but for women like us who are "hormonally vulnerable" there are definately better options)

Loestrin 1/20--spotting is frequent on this pill, and the lower estrogen level has no real safety advantages.

Alesse-has an androgenic progestin in it. Spotting is common.

the best pills for specific conditions:

Contraception: they all work.

weight gain: yasmin and ortho tri-cyclen.

Mood swings: Yasmin, Mircette, Ovcon 35.

Spotting on the pill: Nordette.

PCOS: Any of the nonandrogenic pills, such as yasmin, ortho-cyclen, desogen.

Migraine-mircette.

Breast tenderness: Mircette, yasmin.

Age 40 or older: mircette, yaz, yasmin, orthocyclen, desogen.

This is from the book "It's Your Hormones" by Geoffrey Redmons, MD.

sheepiegirl · 05-13-2008, 10:56 AM

I think it might be an individual thing. I've only taken 2 BCPs in my life. I took Loestrin for like 6 or 7 years and had no problems whatsoever on it. No spotting, no moodiness, minimal weight gain, although when I stopped taking it I lost about 10 pounds immediately, which actually put me a little too skinny for my taste.

Then, after being diagnosed with PCOS, my dr put me on Yaz. I. HATED. IT. Don't really know why--I didn't have spotting or anything on that either, but it just made me feel different. After I have this baby if I go back on BCPs I'm going to ask to go back on Loestrin.

funkydiva77 · 05-16-2008, 06:33 PM

Im on Estelle 35 (Diane 35) and I am finally seeing improvment in my skin going into the 7th month/cycle on it.

NOTE!! your symptoms may be terrible and much worse in the first 3-4mths than ever in your PCOS life and you will think its not working but hang in there it will!!

My skin was soooooooo bad I couldnt even go out the house, hair will fall out in clumps and you will grow more where you dont want it. But it will even out. I was going to stop at about month 4 but Im glad I endured

Natalie'smom06 · 05-21-2008, 06:53 PM

What a great list above!!
I always liked Ortho-Cyclen. I didn't notice weight gain on it, and I didn't have any side effects from it like I did when taking Yasmin. I did take Yasmin for 2 years and I will never take it again. For me side effects were low libido and bad PMS (mostly moodiness). I did not experience that on Ortho-cylen.

Amy2006 · 05-22-2008, 11:48 AM

I am on Yaz and LOVE it!

tukeetukee · 05-22-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amy2006

I am on Yaz and LOVE it!

yaz makes my mood swings and my constant cramping nearly go completely away... not to meantion it clears up my skin AND makes my boobies bigger.

Amy2006 · 05-23-2008, 11:42 PM

Oh, great news about bigger boobs...once I wean my dd in a few months.

tukeetukee · 05-24-2008, 01:47 AM

lol!!

sugarkisses99 · 05-27-2008, 06:57 PM

yaz is horible please stay away..although everyone is different just giving u a warning.ortho is much better in my opinion

doolin · 05-30-2008, 09:58 AM

Good question! I was on BCPs for 11 years. Started with desogen, switched to a few others b/c they were "new" and my gyn wanted me to try them out, but I always went back to desogen. My system just seemed really stable on it. No weight gain/loss, no boob gain/loss, clearer skin and less mood swings. I'm going on BCPs pre-IVF next cycle and tried to convince my RE to put me back on desogen for old times sake, but he wouldn't bite. Oh well!
(btw, that is an excellent list above... great info!!)

pikachu · 05-30-2008, 12:01 PM

I love this site... it has great information about the doses and side effects of various popular pills. It also allows you to calculate the progesterone and androgen potency in the pills for comparison purposes.

http://www.wdxcyber.com/ncontr13.htm

That being said though, I strongly believe that there is no one "good" or "bad" pill - I think you just have to see what works for you. I was on bcp for 10 years, and I've tried quite a few!

I hated Yasmin and Diane 35... even though they are supposed to be great for PCOS. Many women love them, but I gained weight on both, and was really moody for a week every month. On the other hand, in theory, Alesse should not be the first choice for someone with PCOS (because of the androgenic properties of the progestin), and this is my favorite pill by far. I feel really balanced on it, and have clear skin, no weight gain etc.

Anyways, this has been my experience!

jjkrhbb · 05-30-2008, 12:52 PM

I am on Zovia. I havent had any new acne which is good. I have had very irregular periods on it so far. I am in my third month and I have extra heavy periods in my third week of active pills. I will be checking to see if I have a period on active pills again this month...if so, doc changing my script. I do take Spiro separately as well. I have gained some weight on Zovia. About 10-15 pounds so far. The Spiro helps to keep it down a bit and I also exercise every day, which helps as well. I will say I like the bigger breasts on this pill.

I was on Nuva Ring before. As much as I liked it....absolutely no side effects at all....the place it sat inside was too much for that area. It stung and burned so bad....had to switch. Years ago, I took triphasics...bad idea. I also used the Ortho Evra patch. Being a good idea aside, the patch made me have a neverending period. Not good. Yasmin. I tried this right after I finished breastfeeding my DD a few years ago. I totally had a horrible reaction to it. The most major mood swings I have ever had. I am very reluctant to try YAZ now because of that. Good luck in your search.

annem84 · 05-30-2008, 12:56 PM

I've been on Ortho Tri--Hated it. (got pregnant twice on it also...)

Then I went to Yasmin which is my favorite but it got to spendy so had to switch to Lo/Ovral, which I'm on right now. It is OK. I really have no side effects except my periods are still hellish but wish I could fork out the $ for Yasmin but cant.

jasminemoon · 05-30-2008, 02:35 PM

ladies, anyone takes Diane 35?