OT: breakthrough bleeding w/ Seasonique

[charlotteyochem]

Hi Ladies:

I've been on Seasonique BC pills for a couple of months with no side effects at all. These are the ones where you take them back to back and only have a period every three months. Before I got on them, I was taking my other pills back to back so I didn't have a period. But, for insurance coverage reasons, I switched to Seasonique. After these couuple of months I have started experiencing cramps and breakthrough bleeding, which I know is very common with Seasonique. I've never been a breakthrough bleeder, and thought that if it happened, it would happen at the beginning. Just to let you know - my doc says it is common to have breakthrough bleeding at any time with Seasonique and even is common to not have a period (every three months) if you have had breakthrough bleeding along the way. Just in case anyone else was experiencing this and wondering!;-)

 

[LauraMax]

Do you mean Seasonale? I've been on it for about 2 years & only had mid month bleeding once when I forgot to take it 2 days in a row.

But when I told my dr. I hadn't had any breakthru bleeding she was very surprised.

 

[charlotteyochem]

LauraMax:

I have heard of Seasonale, but the one I take is Seasonique. I have no idea what the difference is???

 

[autumn]

The diffence between Seasonale and Seasonique:

Seasonale: a woman takes active-hormone pills for 84 days followed by placebo pills for 7 days.
Seasonique: a woman takes active-hormone pills for 84 days followed by 7 days of pills containing estrogen rather than the placebo pills.

HTH!
Autumn

 

[Mocha]

Very helpful! What is the purpose of the extra estrogen in the 7 pills?

Thought I'd add: I have taken Seasonale and had terrible breakthrough bleeding during the first cycle, but after that none at all... unless, of course, I forget to take a pill, but that is pretty rare.

 

[autumn]

It may decrease/prevent spotting and/or break through bleeding; it may decrease/prevent cycle complaints i.e., cramping, headaches, etc. (cramping, bloating, headaches, etc.).

 

[libra01971]

I've been using Seasonique for about 4 months. I have had no problems at all. No breakthrough bleeding (except for a teeny amount when I forgot to take it for a few days), no cramps, or anything. My doctor did say it's not uncommon in the first 1-3 months, I think, but that it shouldn't be a problem after that. I guess I have been lucky.

The only problem I have had was the price. I paid $90 for a 3 month supply which isn't so bad, I guess, except that I was using Aviane before (generic of Orthotricyclen, I believe) and it was $5 per month. Not sure if I will switch back or not but I did have quite a bit breakthrough bleeding when I took Aviane and skipped the placebos.