[Ashlee T.]

If you've read my recent posts, you know that I've been on Loestrin24 for only a week. I switched from Ortho Cyclen which seemed to be too high dose for me...I gained weight, was very lethargic, depressed etc.

So far, though its only been a week, I've experienced no breakthrough bleeding. No breakouts. No major physical symptoms. Emotionally....it's a while different story. Within the last 3 days, I have gradually become an irritable monster. I'm so miserably irritable that it's hard to be around ANYONE. My boyfriend even being in my presence annoys me, and every little tiny move he makes does as well. I'm nearly intolerable. On top of that, I've lost my sex drive entirely. Went from 2-3 times a day at times, to absolutely ZERO desire.

I've been on birth control for years...I'm aware there is a period of time you have to be patient and let yourself adjust to the pill. But is this normal? Right now, I feel devestated because I was so hopeful this pill would be a good one. I've read a lot about this pill and many people ccomplain of irritability and loss of sex drive. I would've thought that if the high dose pill was causing me so many problems, then the low dose pill would be better for me. AND, I thought an increase in androgen would lead to an increase in libido,not a decrease.

I pretty much have to stick this out for the next month,....but if these symptoms don't let up, I suppose I'll have to switch again. This is horrible. If anyone has any suggestions, anything I can do to ease these symptoms......or any advice at all, please let me know.

[nubianqueen]

yeah, u have the right idea when u said you'd stick it out for the next month. I was on loestrin 24fe as well for 3 months, but switched b/c i had NO PERIODS whatsoever!!! To me, if a pill is not marketed to eliminate periods, then why on earth was i not having any at all??? no spotting/breakthrough bleeding/nothing!!

as for you, all birth control pills dont all have the same effect on everyone. everyone's body reacts differently, but if the symptoms u mentioned continue to become bothersome after like 2-3 months or so, i'd say switch. My doctor told me it normally takes about 2 months or so for the body to adjust to a new type of bc. Just hang in there!!!!

[sarahkwho01]

same problem. i have been taking it for 4 mos and no period at all. also feel like im going crazy. constant fighting wth my boyfriend and crying. starting to feel depressed alot. i have not been having any desire for sex either. i think im going to switch but i dont know which one to ask for

[PharmD2B]

If you've been on the pill for over 3 months (that's the amount of time people generally need to completely adjust to a new pill) and you still have the depression/irritability, talk to your MD and get it switched...if it's not leveled out by that point, there's a good chance it won't level out later either. If you're not up to the three month point, try and stick it out if you can, it should get better...but if it's so bad that you can't function normally, it's time to talk to the MD about it. What pill were you on before that was working for you? If you can't use that one anymore and it was for reasons other than medical that you needed to switch (ie it was too expensive, etc) there could be (and probably is) one that works for you that is similar to the formulation you were on before if you did well on it.

As far as not getting periods, talk to your MD about that as well. These pills are designed to give you a monthly period if you're not skipping placebo pills, so it might not be the right pill for you; or, they may need to check you out for underlying conditions you may have developed in the meantime not related to the pill.