Thinking of Loestrin or Yaz, any advice?

starlite · 06-19-2006, 05:57 PM

I’ve been thinking lately and don’t really know what I should do. I talked to the endo about it last week, but he said it would probably be best to discuss it w/ my gyn. But I don’t really know about that cause she really don’t know a whole lot about pcos. So here it is.

I’m currently on Yasmin. I really like it and it’s been the best one out of all the ones I’ve tried. But these side effects are really getting to me. The reoccurring yeast infections and horrible headaches are killing me. The endo suggested to be on a lower dose of estrogen. He didn’t want to change me himself, but suggested either Loestrin or Yaz.

Has anyone switched from Yasmin to either one of these? I was really thinking of the Loestrin 24 b/c of the ‘Only 3 day period’, but know that’s not always the case especially w/ pcos.

Any advice would be great! Thanks in advance.

Melissa1223 · 06-19-2006, 09:14 PM

Well I'm sure that people have had different experiences, but I had been on Yasmin for about 5 years and was getting severe and frequent migraines. I switched to Loestrin 24 and my blood pressure got dangerously high (I dont have high BP) within 6 weeks, so I had to stop taking it. I've been on Yaz now for about two weeks and so far, so good - but its still early

ItsThatBlonde · 06-20-2006, 01:07 AM

I was on Loestrin (not the new variety, though) for about 6 months and then started having breakthrough bleeding the second and third week of my cycle.

JosieFB · 06-21-2006, 03:53 AM

I think Yaz and Loestrin24 both have 24 active pills, so you should have short periods on both. The theory is that the longer you take the active pills, the thinner your lining becomes. The type of progesterone in Yaz is not androgenic. It won't cause testosterone to rise, and may help with excess hair just like Yasmin should. Loestrin is slightly more androgenic. There is a sticky at the top of the board that compares BCPs and discusses how androgenic each is. Neither Yaz nor Loestrin24 are listed, but they have the same kind and amount of progesterone as their cousins Yasmin and Loestrin.

The makers of Loestrin24 have said they are going to sue the makers of Yaz, but the Loestrin manufacturer says they hold the patent on 24 day BCPs. Because of this there might be a chance that Yaz could be eventually taken off the market.

Skeezix · 06-22-2006, 07:01 PM

That is the stupidiest lawsuit ever, I hope it gets thrown out.

guineapig · 06-23-2006, 07:04 AM

Yaz has the exact same type of progestin as Yasmin, just less estrogen. If you like Yasmin (except the things you mentioned), I wouldn't switch progestins.

I, too, hope Loestrin doesn't win...someday I'd like to try the Yasmin without its bombing dose of estrogen! And Yaz doesn't "advertise" shorter periods or more active pills like the obnoxious Loestrin24 commercials...I found it by reading the Yas pharmaceudical insert thing online.

starlite · 06-23-2006, 03:27 PM

Thanks for all the replies! I think I'll try calling my doc and see if she can call in a rx. My next appt. isn't for another 2mths. I hope she don't want to see me first, I don't want to wait that long.

That is a crazy lawsuit. I hope too it gets thrown out. What about all the pills out there that are 21 days w/ different amounts of hormones? They stay. I don't think it should matter how many days of active pills if the hormones are different.

Does anyone know the $$ of Yaz? My ins. don't cover bcp at all (well, they give like a $5 discount). I still pay about $45 for Yasmin.

ahenrich · 06-23-2006, 09:45 PM

I was on loestrin 24 and bled for 14 days straight. This next cycle I will be trying yaz

Christina027 · 06-24-2006, 06:52 AM

I just started Yaz this month. As far as the pricing...it is expensive. I paid $49.99!! My insurance covers bcps, but didn't cover this one. Maybe because its brand new??

starlite · 06-26-2006, 07:24 PM

Wow! That's expensive. I think maybe it would be because it's new. When I did have ins. that covered bcp's, they didn't cover the Yasmin because it was so new then.

I'm still up in the air about this. We were hoping to start ttc after the wedding, so maybe I can put up with the Yasmin for a few more months. Unless it gets too bad.

babyrose · 06-28-2006, 01:41 AM

Oh wow
I am on Yaz and I only pay $10 a month....

hedyvrie · 06-28-2006, 05:46 AM

I have been on Loestrin for 1 month and so far it is great. I was hesitant to go back on BCP but I am really satisfied with it. No headahces at all! Also, I only had a 3 day period. I didn't think it would happen because on all other pills I have been on it is 7-9 days. No cramps or other PMS symptoms and only 3 days of light bleeding! So far so good!

JosieFB · 06-28-2006, 05:58 PM

I took Loestrin24 for 25 days. I crossed over one day into the 2nd package without taking the inactive pills to try to delay my period during vacation. My period came right on time on the 21st day despite taking the active pills. I assume it was breakthrough bleeding, but I think it's weird it started on the exact day it would have without being on the pills. My flow & cramps were very light. I also didn't have any of my normal period-related IBS symptoms. I didn't accomplish exactly what I wanted to, but at least I wasn't bedridden during my vacation. After I stopped the pills, the flow seemed to also stop except for some spotting on and off.

After a rough first week or so, I liked the way I felt on them. I didn't have the night sweats or restless nights that I normally have leading up to my period, and it even seemed to stop my lower back/hips from aching in the mornings.

I had some major breast tenderness after about two weeks. I got a couple of rashes on my eyes & neck that made me wonder if they were related to Loestrin. The instructions say call your doctor immediately if a rash appears, but my skin is very sensitive. I tried a new brand of eyeshadow and used the soap in the hotel on my vacation, so it's just as likely that I just had contact dermermatitis.

My BP stayed normal, but I had some swelling in one leg. Again, sometimes my knee will swell when I do alot of walking like I did on vacation, and then the fluid makes its way down to my ankle, so I wasn't ready to attribute that to Loestrin either.

Since I've stopped taking it, I've felt really tired just like I did when I first started it. I assume this too will pass. I'm just amazed at havoc that hormones wreak on our bodies, and how much trouble (and even dangerous) it is to try to control those hormones.

PeacefulAngel · 06-30-2006, 09:18 PM

I started Yaz 2 months ago. The first month was wonderful. No breakthrough bleeding. This month has been hell. When Tuesday gets here, I'll have bled for 4 weeks straight. (GYN says to give it one more month.) Before starting Yaz, I was on Yasmin and had been for 3 years.

As far as price, my Yasmin was $20. My husband picked up my Yaz today (the past 2 months have been samples) and it was $45. I called my insurance and they said the Yaz was considered "Non-formularly" and that's why the co-pay was higher. If you have insurance, I'd give them a call.

I wish you the best of luck!
Julie