http://www.fpnotebook.com/GYNCh3.htm

[duckygurl.livejournal.com]

Okay, I found this page when looking up a type of birth control and it says what to switch for certain problems and I thought it might be of interest. This would be based on ethynodiol diacetate 1 mg and ethinyloestradiol 0.05 mg. Mainly citing what would be needed to fix what symptoms.

Pill associated problems
A. Indications to switch to Ortho Cyclen
1. Acne Vulgaris (lower androgen)
2. Increased Appetite (lower Progestin)
3. Major Depression provoked (lower Progestin)
4. Heavy Menses (more Progestin or less Estrogen)
5. Moodiness (less Estrogen or more Progestin)
6. Weight gain (less Estrogen or more Progestin)

B. Indications to switch to Loestrin 1/20
1. Headaches (lower Estrogen)

C. Indications to switch to Loestrin 1.5/30
1. Breast Tenderness or engorgement (lower Estrogen)
2. Libido decreased (more androgen)
3.Dysmenorrhea or Menstrual Cramps (more Progestin)

D. Indications to switch to Ortho Novum 1/35
1. Break-through bleed days 1-9 (more Estrogen)

E. Indications to switch to Ortho Novum 777
1. Break-through bleed days 10-21 (more Progestin)

F. Indications to switch to Ortho Tricyclen
1. Menses too light (more Estrogen, less progesti)

G. Indications to switch to Lo-Ovral
1. Break-through bleed all of month (more Estrogen)

References
Cerel-Suhl (1999) Am Fam Physician 60(7):2073
Speroff (1993) Obstet Gynecol 81:1034-47
Dickey (1998) Managing Contraceptive Pill Patients

Anyway, i hope this can be of help to someone out there. =)

Comments

[gezellig-girl.livejournal.com]

F. Indications to switch to Ortho Tricyclen
1. Menses too light (more Estrogen, less progesti)

"Hello, Dr. Gyno? Yes, I have a problem with this pill I'm on. My periods are just TOO light. I want to be have a good gory flow that only a Depends will be able to sop up. Is that possible? Maybe some cramps too? Like someone's twirling up a hot forkful of pain like spaghetti in my uterus? ... Great! Thanks, Dr. Gyno!"

[4hour-ramona.livejournal.com]

haw!

although i was on alesse a few years ago and literally had 5 minute periods. it was a bit disconcering.

[tarafuzz.livejournal.com]

yeah, i'm getting that at the moment... hmph. but, the thing is, i also have mood swings, depression, and weight gain from the pill.

i just want to go off it completely.

[duckygurl.livejournal.com]

Awesome.

[magn0lia.livejournal.com]

Reading this list reminds me why I'm happy that I quit taking the pill! I'm really happy with my diaphragm.

[gezellig-girl.livejournal.com]

Wow - there's a BC method we haven't heard much about.

How long have you had the diaphragm? How's it working out for you? Is it messy? Hard to get in and out? (I have a tipped uterus and stubby little fingers - I had a hard time fishing the Today Sponge back out again, which makes me think I am not a good diaphragm candidate.)

[magn0lia.livejournal.com]

I've been using a diaphragm for about four years. It only took me a few tries to get used to putting it in, and I've only really dropped it a couple of times in many uses. Only a scootch harder than getting a tampon in correctly, for me. I do sometimes find it hard to get out (very different from tampons in this respect!), but I've learned that if I squat the right way, it's very easy. I wash it in the sink or take it out in the shower and wash it there. It's a bit messy but doesn't gross me out at all; YMMV. I use it with a fingerful of spermicide. You're supposed to re-goop if you're going to have PIV more than once, but I don't usually bother. I quit the Pill on the suggestion of my doctor in order to see what affect that would have on my mood, and I was surprised to see that it seemed to have a quick, very positive effect, so I haven't really considered any hormonal birth control methods since then. I am surprised by the number of women I meet who have never considered any alternatives to the Pill! I don't have any experience with the sponge so I can't say how analogous that would be, sorry. Your gyno could probably let you "try one on" and see if it would work, if you're interested.

magn0lia,
thinking it's always a good day to be gezellig :)

[gezellig-girl.livejournal.com]

(Okay, first of all I have to ask what PIV is. I mean, I obviously get the gist of what it is from the sentence context - I just can't figure out what the letters stand for.... oh, duh. Never mind. I got it.)

Anyway, I'm not so worried about the ick factor (or even the sexual impulse control factor) - I would be afraid I couldn't get it in right or get it back out. I have an IUD now (which I love) and I'd kinda like to give my uterus a little break before thinking about having a baby. Maybe I will ask about a diaphragm during my next pelvic exam.

And finally, I have to ask, did you look up the word gezellig or did you already know what it means? (My Dutch mother-in-law is still *so* amused that I use this as an online handle.)

[duckygurl.livejournal.com]

Well gezellig's reply cracked me up completly because i'm on orthocyclen, and i have no period. So by the list, it says i should say "hey doc. i have no period. put me on ortho TRY cyclen" but like HELLO? who wants to bleed if they don't have to, right?

Anyway, i just put that information up because a lot of people say they have such and such symptoms and what should they do/is it normal.

But i feel i made a completly pointless post. Buh.

[oddity.livejournal.com]

ortho-cyclen has been great for me...my uterus and cervix were underdeveloped (my whole vagina was actually), so you could imagine how badly it hurt b/c i was having a lot of blood clots during my period...ever since i started it i have hardly any of those brutal blood clots at all....my period is regular (it was crazy irregular b4) and my cramps are a third of what they were...

so, to each her own, as far as the pill is concerned.