Advice on contraception needed - specificly LOESTRIN 20 pill

[serenity]

OK, I went back on the pill last year. Originally went back onto the pill that I took pre-kids, but changed to Loestrin 20 a couple of months ago due to the fact that I am a fat bloater This pill is a lower dose one so safer for someone with my BMI, the downside is that it is slightly less effective (down from 98% to 96%) My GP said that I'd be able to see if it was working for me by seeing if it controlled my periods.

First pillfree break I had, bleed came right on schedule but was so light that I actually did a pg test just in case. This packet I took one a little late (no more than 12 hrs) and a few days later had a little bleed in the morning that had disappeared by the evening. I had my break last week, but no bleed. This seems really weird to me - surely I should be bleeding more on a lower dose pill? I feel a bit stupid going to the gp (and it's very hard to get an appointment) to complain that my periods are too light Does anyone know anything about this? Does it sound 'normal'? I really need to stay on some kind of pill as I've pretty much discounted all the other options.

Thanks for getting this far, please feel free to tell me I'm being far too paranoid

bumping once and once only, and then only because I'm having a really bad day thanks to Lambeth Council. Off to do dinner now anyway so I will sneakily stuff my face whilst cooking

I am on it. Only started taking it a couple of months ago and can't tell you about bleeding as I took 2 packs in a row as I get such awful period pains I thought i'd give myself a break for a month

I was on Microgynon before that and on that my periods were very very light, one day of light bleeding and thats is, not that i complained about that.

I stopped taking microgynon because it was giving me mood swings but so is the Loestrin so i think I am gonna ask to try a different one again.

I was on Microgynon too, but had relatively 'normal' bleeds on that. Weirdly enough I found taking the pill levelled out PMT mood swings! When I'm off it I turn into vile bitch queen from hell a few days before I come on. I just get so angry.

I wouldn't worry about taking packs in succession. My GP told me that most health workers on the pill 'tricycle' them - take three packs in a row, and only have a period every three months. TBH once I'm convinced that this pill is actually working, I'm going to go back to doing that.

Hope you get the mood swing bit sorted though.

I have just come off microgynon because of the mood swings and because I cannot lose any weight at all. I have decided to let nature run its course though and not go back on anything hormone-related! I intend to try the non-hormone coil after chrimbo and see how that goes. My GP said though that once I reach 35 I would be encouraged to come off it anyway and so with only a couple of years to go, thought now is as good a time as any. Watch out for my "Oh my god, I'm pregnant" he he he

ive been on loestrin 20 for a while.i completely missed my period the month before last, it just didnt appear.im normally only light on it.bleeding like mad when im off it.

id do a preg test just to make sure but i wouldnt worry.my doctor told me that alot of women dont even have periods on this brand.

im taking two lots in a row this month as i start a job monday and dont want to be on on the first week!

I am 35 OTM, I think that's another reason why they put me on the lower doseage one (old and fat, might as well just give up anyway )

MALI - that makes me feel a lot better actually. It must just be the pill then. I'm 100% positive I'm not pg. I'm one of those people who gets ginormous breasts and morning sickness within 2 seconds of concieving, and that's not happening atm!

Thanks all

I took Loestrin 20 from aged 16-25 (was young, healthy and fit so don't do yourself a dis-service!). My periods were incredibly light whilst taking it and it only took taking one slightly late to have a slight bleed mid-cycle. I occasionally skipped a period too. You do have to take it bang on time iirc for your periods to be fully controlled.

You've only just started taking it too, so it could be your body adjusting.

Just wanted to share my story for anyone stumbling across this:
Loestrin 20 is the worst pill I've been on. I only go on the pill when I'm with my boyfriend for extended amounts of time as I don't see him often. Last year I was on microgynon 30 and it made me gain weight so I switched to loestrin.
6 days before going away on holiday I started taking it at the same time every single day. On the 6th day, whilst at the airport ready to fly, I started bleeding.
I panicked thought it was breakthrough bleeding and carried on taking the pill. That evening I had the most painful cramps and the bleeding seemed quite light still. I decided to stop taking it while we were away cos of the cramps and then I started bleeding heavily. It's been 6 days since then and I'm still bleeding very heavily. Wish I never took the damn thing.
Just anyone wanted to know

Hi I'm on loestrin and have been for about 10 months without a break with advice from my doctor
I have endometriosis and suffer chronic period pains irregular and heavy
everything was fine until last month I started bleeding with a lot pain and have been ever since for about 3 weeks now and it's getting worse I don't know whether to keep taking the pill or stop it's very worrying now any advice would be great thankyou

Writing this for whoever comes across this and is wanting to get on Loestrin 20...
A couple of years ago I went on Rigevidon and was on that for a year, however, decided to come off it as it made me feel sick almost every day unless I had eaten a lot, therefore I was gaining a lot of weight also. A year later, I decided to try another pill with a lower dosage hoping it would help as my friends are on the pill that are perfect for them. I was given Loestrin 20 due to it's lower levels of hormones and I read reviews and was skeptical but of course the pill can work differently for different people so I gave it a try. This pill at first made my boobs grow like crazy to the point they were so sensitive all the time (when I came off this pill they went back to their normal size within a week) and then I started feeling sad and unhappy all the time. I wouldn't leave my room at uni and spent most days not wanting to talk just being on my own. It got so bad that I contemplated leaving university and this was all with me not knowing that it was the pill affecting my mental health. I finally spoke to my best friend about it and she suggested I came off the pill to see if it was what was causing my bad mental health and not long after I came off them, I was so much happier and back to my normal self. Also, I've never suffered from really bad mental health so it was definitely the pill. I can't say that this will happen for everyone but I just want to tell my story of being on this because it's important to educate yourself on what you're putting into your body before taking it.