Hey girls,
Found this message board, and was looking for some advice.
Ive been taking Alesse for about 4 years now. I was really happy that I had no weight gain, light periods, never really got depressed, but had no sex drive whatsoever. However, I get really bad headaches all the time. (Im not sure if it has anything to do with hormones, or just sinus problems).
I talked to my doctor about my headaches, and she suggested Seasonale. I guess it doesnt make your hormones go up and down so much every month. So I took a month off of BC, and feel great, no so "robotic", but still getting lots of headaches, so that obviously wasnt the problem.
Im going to start Seasonale soon, and was wondering how anyone felt about it? I know its sort of new, so I wanted to know any good/bad effects. Thanks for the help!

Seasonale is NOT all that it's made out to be. I had been taking it for 8 months and have recently decided to stop. It has caused me to have a consistent flow of 'breakthrough bleeding' that has lasted MORE THAN A MONTH. Which in itself is enough to hate the stuff. Emotional side effects, depression and just a general apathy that has formed after taking this horrible concotion. Also on the weeks when I should be experiencing a period, I still get the effects. ie bloating soreness of my breasts headaches cramps etc. I am not the only one to experience such effects, and mine have been MINOR in comparison to any of the other people I've spoken to about seasonale. Honestly I would reccommend NOT taking this drug. I don't think it's particularly safe nor is it effective in what it claims to do. I would much rather have one, 3-7 day period a month than a constant flow ALL OF THE TIME that they refer to as 'breakthrough bleeding.' ugh. It also has a high risk of weight gain.

I have been on Seasonale for a week and a half, (and this is my first time taking birthcontrol pills), and by the 4th day or so, I started to notice that I'd gotten aggressive, angry, impatient, and so restless that my jaws hurt from clenching too hard. And It's gotten so bad in the last few days that I googled for any moody side effects of BCP's, and here I am. I'm normally a very patient and quiet person - now I feel like fighting everyone, have no tolerance for anything, and am so resentful about everything. And this is so out of character and is interfering with absolutely everything in my life. I am going to stick it out for another month or so and see how it goes, just to see if my body will adapt to it or not, but I am NOT feeling well right now. Reading the comments on the site, I guess this is common for many other BCP's, and I am very disappointed because I was very excited to go on the pill. I will let you know how everything goes!

I started Seasonale 2 weeks ago and came home from work early today due to continued nausea and dizziness. Have felt awful for three days now. Am totally bummed out about it because was really excited to only have my period four times a year. Have tried regular BCPs and had no problems, then took 16 months off. Now I'm tempted to toss the rest of my supply of Seasonale and start using condoms again! Any advice?

I had been taking a low dose pill before starting Seasonale about a year ago. It (Seasonale) has been great in controling my periods- my main reason for taking BC - but my sex drive is GONE! I'm going to go off within the next few weeks because it's killing my relationship with my fiance. I too get headaches and am crazy moody sometimes, probably due to the meds because I was not like this before I took BC.

I am now in my 3rd week of Seasonale - on top of the mood swings and anger, I now have insomnia. I take my pill at 11 pm and go to bed around midnight, but I can't fall asleep until 1 or 2 am. Then I wake up several times during the night and have weird dreams, and the worst thing is that I can't sleep past 6 am. I just become wide awake around 6 am and wonder why I'm up so early, and spend the next hour and half tossing in my bed because I'm still tired but my brain is wide awake. I used to sleep soundly until 7 45 am before the pill.
I am usually very sensitive to my body, so I know this is not something else, but the pill...I just keep thinking that I'll give it a month before I quit, so I will let you know if I continue to have problems with the pill and when I go off, if I feel better. I'm also planning on seeing my gyno again, so let's see what she says.

My girlfriend has been on Seasonale for the past 6 months or so and she absolutely loves the fact that she has reduces her periods to only 4 a year, but like above it has completely killed her sex drive.

I don't mean to come across as a pig or anything...i have delt with a disturbingly low amount of intamcy for the past 6 months, but it's really to the point where it is very frustrating to me.

How can I explain to her without hurting her that I want her to change medicines? Is this something I have no business getting into?

Hi LadyG! I thought I'd reply to your post. I'm in the middle of my second cycle of Seasonale, and have yet to experience mood swings, breakthrough bleeding, or spotting. The only negative thing: at the end of the first cycle, I had heavier bleeding. I contacted my GYN's office and was told that this is not common, and should not happen again. I imagine that at the end of this cycle, it will be lighter. I'm sorry to see that these ladies who replied to you had such negative experiences, but you need to try it to see if it'll work for you. Maybe it'll be beneficial, maybe it won't. Everyone is different. But I hope it works for you!

Hi Frustrated in VA,

I think it's a good idea to bring up your concerns with your girlfriend. My boyfriend and I have been experiencing the same problems since I started on Seasonale about 10 months ago. As frustrated as he feels, I feel just as badly that I have no drive. We thought we'd give Seasonale one more try before ditching it, but we've found the open communication very important to our relationship. Birth control is a woman's issue; but if it's affecting your relationship, then it's both of your business. If I were you, I'd just be careful not to make demands of her--"go off Seasonale or else." Maybe approach her by asking if she's happy with Seasonale, if she's noticed any differences, and if she thinks another pill might be a better option. If she's indignant that she likes the period every 3 months (and who doesn't--though like others on the message board I have breakthrough bleeding for 1-2 months straight, so what's the benefit?), doctors will likely tell her that she can use another typical pill and simply skip the placebo week and go straight to the next pack. It has the same results of skipping the period, and it's medically safe. I hope this is helpful.

Hi Everyone,

I am so happy that I found this website tonight. I have been on Seasonale for one year now, and I was one of the first ones out of my friends to try it, and I have had a lot of the same side effects.

I went on it to relieve my monthly migraines, and it did help my headaches. However, I have breakthrough bleeding most of the month, I am always depressed and irritable and have a very low sex drive. I was always very social and up for going out etc, and now I just don't care about going out, and I feel quite numb. It is not severe, but it is definitely noticable. I also have terrible insomnia. I did not even think about the pill/insomnia connection until tonight. It always seems to be worse at the end of the pack.

I am recently married and have been thinking about going off of the pill for good. I am not ready for kids just yet, but I am so sick of always feeling "sick". I am 27 years old and I have a great family, husband, friends etc, and I just want to feel normal. I have so much to be thankful for, and really have nothing to complain about, but I can't get past these symptoms that are keeping me from fully enjoying my life.

I know that one another girl mentioned Insomnia as a side effect, but has anyone else experienced this? I am sure it is hard to pinpoint, but I noticed that my sleeping got worse about a year ago...

Also, I have two more months left of Seasonale. Do you think I can just stop after the one month is over?

I'm on my third pack of Seasonale, and up to now, I've loved it. I never had the breakthrough bleeding that some of my friends had -- everyone's body is different, you know? -- BUT I have gained almost 20 pounds over the last year or so, for no apparent reason, and I think I'm putting 2 + 2 together. What's weird is that the weight is primarily in my waist and it won't budge. I'm torn because because I love not thinking about my period, but I'm embarrassed by my appearance.

As for stopping Seasonale -- yes, you should be able to stop midpack, but please talk to your doctor first. He or she will advise you on how to switch to your new pill or other BC method.

Just thought I would share this new bit of information that I got this weekend talking with my friend. We were discussing our results with Seasonale (She loves it and I hated it!) My main problems was the break through bleeding and cranky moods and I know talking with my doctor that lots of women have the problem with break through bleeding.

My friend loves Seasonale and has never had the bleeding problem because of the suggestion made by her doctor. Her doctor told her to first take 6 weeks of active pills and then one week off to have her period and then take 9 weeks of active pills and another week off and then finally take all 12 weeks of the active pills. This worked great for her and she never had the bleeding problem, I think because she was giving her body time to adjust to the longer time frames without having a period. Now she is on the full 12 week pack of Seasonale and has been for almost a year with no problems.

I figured this might be useful for anyone who was thinking of switching. I wish my doctor had told me to try that and maybe I would have been more satisfied with Seasonale.

I wanted to comment on my recent experience with Seasonale. I have been on this OC for about 8 weeks and am going to take myself off since I have suffered from upset stomach, bloating, wieght gain, irritability and low sex drive. The pills were so expensive I am determined to finish the supply but I feel horrible. I am going to speak with my OB-GYN about non-hormonal alternatives ASAP.

Your message on Seasonale made me cry as I thought I was going out of my mind from this medication. I have been on it for 13 months and felt that I needed to be committed. I am having HUGE anxiety attacks, no sex drive and my husband is worried to death I am having a nervous breakdown. All of the symptoms that i have read from these postings I have experienced but never dreamed that it could be from Seasonale. I am going off this drug immediately.
Thanks for your posting...it probably saved my mind..

Hello everyone,
I checked out this website when I first started Seasonale, and was nervous about the effects that were reported. I am on the third three month cycle, and the breakthrough bleeding has stopped, but I am moody, irritable, easily aggitated, and have no sex drive. Also, I have broken out on my forehead, nose, and chin, like I am a teen again. I have not had any skin problems prior to this. Has anyone else experienced this?
There really seem to be many more side effects to this pill than there are with other pills. I am ready to give up on this medication.

I have been on Seasonale for almost a month and a half and HATE it. I have horrible acne breakouts - which I have never had. I am also not sleeping well - usually a 10 hour a day sleeper, now I get 3-4 hours at best and that is broken up. I am having migraine headaches, horrible bloating and water retention and am nauseated all the time. I am also irritable and have zero sex drive. I have also noticed that the skin on my face around my mouth is starting to discolor - what is THAT? Prior I had tried the OrthoEvra patch - and found that my skin looked great, but I had horrible water retention and was in a very bad mood all the time.

About 5 years ago I took Lo-Estrin with Iron and had zero side effects - however it was not recommended for me because I had put on a little weight.

I am ready to do something that has no hormones - and am curious if anyone has any experience with ParaGuard or Mirena?

Thanks,
Sara

Wow. I'm so glad I found this site. I'm on my second 3 month pack of Seasonale, and I'm just now realizing that I might not be crazy! The clenched jaw, skin problems, weight gain, no sex drive, moodiness (well, ok, I can't REALLY blame the pill for that-I was pretty moody before taking it) :-)
Over the past 5 months these symptoms creeped up on me slowly, so I never added them up. I didn't think any one had anything to do with the other. But my next phone call is to my OB/GYN to get me off this pill! Thank you all for sharing and helping me.

I started the Seasonale a year or so ago. It's been an awful experience. Previously, I used Ortho Tri Cyclin(sp)- regular and low. I never had the problems with those pills as I have with this one. It started off with MAJOR depression and breast tenderness. My sister tried it at the same time, but quit right away b/c her symptoms didn't go away. Mine lessened, but they are not gone. I have the anxiety, depression, weight gain, clenching jaw, NO SEX DRIVE, acne, and I still get period symptoms on my "usual" week. I still sometimes get breast tenderness and on occasion I get break thru bleeding (but not often, thank god!!)

This pill has made me want to swear off birth control all together. I think it's AWFUL that women have to suffer this much just to keep from getting pregnant.

I'm going to switch pills ASAP. I have a feeling this pill could be dangerous to my health in the long term. That much hormone can't be good. It's probably giving me cancer or something.

(The skin discoloration, which I don't get, is linked to hormones- so it is "normal")

I'm sorry we're all having to experience this. Maybe we should write to the company that produces it? Or the FDA? Or tell your doctor not to reccomend it to other patients- at least not without informing them of these common side effects. I dunno, but with this many voices, I'll bet the message will be heard.

Send your thoughts to the FDA http://www.fda.gov/cder/comment.htm