[kguild07]

I started taking Nordette about five months ago - this is the first brand of BC I have taken. My experience with Nordette has been mixed - overall I have not had drastic physical effects, but I have become very hormonal, stressed, and moody...Just to name a few. These side effects have become slightly more bearable, but I still consider them an issue. But my primary complaint is my period - I started Nordette as a birth control option, not necessarily to regulate my period. I had a normal 3-5 day period every 30 days every month for forever, with no complications. Now on birth control, I have my period every 21 days (which is regulated by the pack) and it lasts for at least 5 days, usually until I start my new pack on Sundays (and sometimes it even lasts until Monday). In addition to them being longer, they're also a lot heavier - for the first 3 days I experience a very heavy flow with a lot of clotting. Even worse, I get awful cramps, stomach aches, back aches, etc during this time. All of these effects are uncharacteristic of my "non BC" period, which is pretty normal and the side effects are not nearly as bad. I take my pill every day at the same time and I have never had any other health issues/illness.

I was just wondering if this gets better over time, or will it improve it if I were to switch to a new brand? I was considering switching to a new brand anyway, the hormonal effects I am experiencing with Nordette were becoming very stressful.

[LanaBear]

You may want to discuss it with your Dr. I was on Nordette for years, never had any of the issues you are experiencing. I'm not on any BC now and get all the characteristics you have more so than I did on the pill.

You are adding hormones to your body, so things are bound to be a bit different than what you are used to.

Some women have to switch around a couple of times until they find something that works for them. If Airmans Sweetie sees this, she's been through the ringer regarding BC options in the past and has had a positive experience with the patch.

If it is the hormone's that you think are bothering you, you could talk to your Dr about a non-hormonal IUD.

[kguild07]

Overall, I don't really have any serious problems or complaints about Nordette...I have had some mood swings and emotional side effects that have bothered me, but other than that nothing severe. I can deal with the heavier period, I just didn't know if that was normal or something that can be fixed or at least improved by switching to another brand.

[LanaBear]

Any hormonal BC is bound to do something to you and it DOES suck to change because then your body is confused and it can take a couple of month's to stabilize again.

If they bother you too much talk to you Dr. We all know there are loads of options. Nordette is a low dose pill, I would think if you are having side effects like that with a low dose, I'm not sure what a normal dose pill would do... You know?

I'm sure others will have more advice as well.

Welcome to the forum BTW!

[kguild07]

Thanks for your help!