[Fish]

I was just prescribed Loestrin 24 Fe; it came highly recommended from my obgyn. I've been doing some reading about it and I'm excited about the prospect of lighter, shorter periods. I searched the forums and only found a couple of posts on it. So I'm wondering what your experience has been on it.

[mom30]

I have been on the Loestrin for almost 2 years and I like it better than any birth control pill I've tried. During the first year, I took the pills normally, finishing each pack completely, placebos and all. My periods were lighter, but still bothersome and I did have a bit of breakthrough bleeding and cramping every now and then. When I went back for my yearly check up and refill, my ob/gyn instructed me to skip the placebos at the end of each pack and just start a new pack each month. I've been doing this and I've had no periods at all, no breakthrough bleeding, no cramping for the past 11 months.

[Fish]

Thanks for your reply! Eeek I don't like the idea of no period at all though, it seems like a necessary evil to shed the lining every month for sanitary reasons.

I just started my first pack on Friday and I haven't had any side effects at all...I know it is probably too early to tell but so far, so good. I am still bleeding pretty heavy which is unusual for me on the 3rd day of my period but I take it that my body is just confused right now with the extra hormones and what not.

[mom30]

The period that you have every month while taking birth control pills is called a "pill period." You're not ovulating when on the pill so the lining of your uterus doesn't thicken, therefore, there's nothing there to shed. What happens during a "pill period" is that you have withdrawal bleeding. You have been taking the active pills for 3 weeks and when you start taking the placebos, the bleeding is your body's reaction to your stopping the hormones. If you're not ovulating every month, a period is not necessary. A lot of women feel reassured by having a period every month, however.

You can do a search on the web for more information about this or you can ask your doctor, too.

[sparkle9687]

I have been on Loestrin 24 for about six months, and it is the first type of birth control I've ever taken but I have no real complaints with it. The first month I had breakthrough bleeding for nearly two full weeks before the placebos, but it decreased every month until the 3rd month it was nearly nonexistant. Since I started taking it my periods have only lasted about 3-4 days (compared with 7-8 previously) and are a lot lighter (although recently they have actually been getting heavier again, although still not to the extent they were pre-BC and still only 3-4 days). But overall, it seems to be working well and like I said I have no serious problems with it.

[Ashlee T.]

I've been on it for three months. No breakthrough bleeding or anything like that. But ZERO sex drive, and lots of irritability. I'm switching just for those reasons.

All pills work different for different people though. Good luck.

[Fish]

Thanks for the input, I started 10 days ago (Nov 6) and I'm still having discharge. It's pretty light so there really is nothing to complain about quite yet. I had absolutely no cramps during my period this cycle, which is unusual for me...so I hope I can attribute that to the pill! Other than discharge and no cramps, I haven't noticed anything different.

[kim1985]

Shorter periods and no cramps but is has slightly affected my sex drive and given me acne that i have never had before

[Annimus Prime]

This for the first month caused a brake through period all month. Second month, there is nothing, all dry. I want my period back and I don't want to have blood clots. I am scared, I want it back, it guarantees no blood clots that could cause a heart attack or stroke. They also also for great stools or bows. Periods should be a blessing, they protect your body from diseases and illness of cancer. Why now, should anyone want to stop their cycles, they are so important especially as they are monthly and regular. Who cares if they are so heavy that they fill a pint in no time during a 7 day stretch, that is how God made me, that is how it should be. Uh, it only made me down and always exhausted, really because of the key reason, I moved, very hard to adapt and stressful. All that caused it, not my period's fault! The common length they were was 5 days, not 6 or 7 days, so what?! Stress can cause stupid stuff to happen?! It is over now, and I can adapt! I now want my periods back! O.o