[pumpkinpieisgood]

I've been on combination birth control pills since October 2011, and I've always taken 28 pills. I've switched brands once before but I wasn't as concerned as I am now because the new pack also had 28 pills. Recently, I went to the doctor and asked for a brand that has a lower dosage of estrogen because I feel like the hormones are what have made me depressed. I signed up with CVS pharmacy so that my insurance could cover the pills, and I just got them in the mail yesterday. I was expecting a pack of 28 but there are only 21 pills. I'm scared because one, the dosage of estrogen is lower, and I have gotten into the habit of unprotected sex with my boyfriend (been together two years, no STDS, pills have been effective in preventing pregnancy). I feel that if we don't use a condom and he cums inside of me that I will get pregnant because of the amount of hormones. Will I be fine as long as I wait 7 days, or even a month or two, for my body to get used to these new pills? The 21 pack also has combination pills, and because the only real difference (besides the hormones) is no placebos, and having to remember to start the next pack without those reminder pills, I'm wondering if I will still be protected. I seldom ever miss my pills, and the last time I missed one was during the summer. Also, do I just start the 21 pack after finishing the 28 pack? I was reading the packet and it confused me; it said to wait a week before switching brands, but I think it was referring to somebody on a 21 pack going to a 28 pack so that they could get their period that week. I just don't want a baby. I'm 17 and I have a job, I have a stable relationship, but I just don't want to deal with that right now. I also like not using condoms but I'm not sure how I should go about this. Any help is much appreciated.

[pumpkinpieisgood]

If it helps at all, I am currently on Levora .15/30 (28) which is the generic form of Nordette, and the brand I'm switching to is Junel 1/20 (21) which is the generic form of Loestrin.

[Emmy4]

Hi Hun,

Did a little research on your new pill brand...
Unlike most birth control pills, Junel comes in packs with 21 tablets. It is meant to be taken every day for 21 days, followed by 7 days in between packs. Most other birth control pills have 28 tablets in each pack, but the last 7 contain no active ingredients. Either way, you get 21 days of active hormones, followed by a 7-day, hormone-free break.

So it's just a matter of remembering to start a new pack on time, it just doesn't have the placebo pills that most pills have.

Use a back-up method for the first week of usage or if you want to be extra careful use backup for a month. This pill is a combination pill so while it also prevents ovulation it also thickens your cervical mucous and makes it harder for sperm to travel through.
You pill pack should have information contained inside.. Read it front to back and it should answer most of your concerns.

Hope this helps!

[pumpkinpieisgood]

I'm worried because this particular kind has less estrogen in it and I'm afraid I might get pregnant because some women do if the dosage isn't enough. The packet didn't tell me anything and when I researched it, it said that all it does is stop an egg from being released. It doesn't help with the cervical mucus or anything. I feel like I'm just going to have a terrible experience with it. A lot of reviews I read talked about how they've all gained a bunch of weight and got yeast infections, and it's making me not want to switch brands.

[kira]

I thought you wanted less estrogen. I believe the failure rate for the low dose pills is the same as for the high dose pills. The side effects are just different. There's more break through bleeding and such problems on low dose pills. I can't take them personally. I gain weight and have break through bleeding but I'm on the highest dose pill there is that doesn't even have inactive pills, the period week is just lower dose, and I'm losing weight and having less side effects.

[pumpkinpieisgood]

I do want less estrogen. I don't know. I'm just scared, but I'll use a back-up method until my body adjusts. I hope I don't gain weight, though. That's another thing bothering me...but thank you. Both of you.

[kira]

You said

I went to the doctor and asked for a brand that has a lower dosage of estrogen because I feel like the hormones are what have made me depressed.

That's what you got.

[pumpkinpieisgood]

I'm well aware, thank you. I WANT the lower estrogen, I'm just afraid of it because it is possible to get pregnant due to a low dose. I guess I won't be coming to this forum anymore if people are going to be rude to me. Have a fantastic day now.