[itisred]

I'm going the ob/gyn for the first time next week. I wanted to ask for lybrel because it stops you from getting periods, but I've been reading mixed reviews of it. I'm 18, my period lasts 7 days, and I get the worst PMS. I want birth control to stop my period and to help with acne. At the moment my skin is totally clear thanks to some antibiotics, but I get spots as my period approaches which I hate! So is lybrel a good option? If not then what do you recommend? Thank you!

[kira]

Lybrel has a period every 3 months. It is basically the weakest of the extended cycle versions which makes it safer but often less effective. Seasonale has a slightly higher dose with again a period every 3 months. Now seasonique which is what I'm on is the ultimate. It has the highest dose of hormones and the week of your period is not just inactive pills. It is lower dose pills so it tends to cause the shortest and lightest periods if any at all. I have light bleeding for about 1 day and none of the acne, large cysts, and dandruff I always get during my period or when not on any pills.

Other pills can be used for extended cycle if you find a combination pill that works. The doctor has to write the script and the insurance approved to get a new pack every 3 weeks for so many months to use the regular pills in that fashion. Actually using an approved extended cycle pill is easier and better tested for safety.

[MixedChika]

I was thinking of that too but I too read mixed reviews. I don't have a heavy period but I just don't like dealing with it. And well I've read that having a period actually isn't as good as some think and can increase your risk of ovarian cancer but then again you cannot trust everything you read online.

Honestly your best bet is to talk with your obgyn and ask. An obgyn would know best especially when you start going on regular(most likely yearly) basis. Mine I can call up and ask and if I need any appointments before my annual make them but usually have to wait like a month because she has a lot of clients.

[kira]

My doctors are stupid sometimes. I got given all sorts of hormonal birth control that didn't work for me. The doctors including obgyn don't really take the individual in to account. All they do is give you their favorite pill first and see if it works or not. Some are at least good about switching and finding a pill that works. Some just keep insisting their chosen pill is the best and you should stay on it despite any side effects. So no, do not just listen to your obgyn. Do your research, know your body, and then discuss it with the doctor. The lower dose pills may be safer for your health but I would have never touched lybrel and gained 100lb with 6+ months of bleeding if I knew then what I know now. I actually said I wanted seasonique and doesn't it have a higher dose of hormones only to get told they were the same. They are not. A 2min google search shows they are not. The doctor couldn't take 2 mins to confirm in their little book of meds that there was difference or not. With the way she answered I'm not even sure she cared. I think she just wanted me on lybrel instead.