STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Lilykind · Hermes

Seasonale/Seasonique question (warning: sorta TMI)

Kelly · Hermes

Well, I think that it's common to have breakthrough bleeding on all kinds of birth control until your first set of placebos....so you could have this for the first three months.

tri_sarah_tops · Marc Jacobs

I had the same problem when I first started Seasonale. If I didn't take my pill at the exact same time every day, I would spot. Once I took it about two hours later than normal and I bled for a month. However, I've been using it for about a year now, and it's been a few months since I've had any spotting, and when I do have my period it lasts about four days and is super light.

However, I just switched to Seasonique (took my first pill on Sunday), because my gyn said that it eliminates some of the breakthrough bleeding problems that are common with Seasonale, so based on that I'm surprised that it's been as bad for you as it has been. I'd maybe give it another week or two and then talk to your dr. if you're still having problems.

halleybird · Hermes

the same thing happened to me on Seasonique, about 2 months in. My doc told me to finish the full 3 months before switching. It stopped about the beginning of the 3rd month, and I haven't had a problem since. Sorry =( I know it sucks.

Elle · Hermes

I think 3 weeks is pretty normal, though highly annoying for sure! It most often happens around when you would have normally had a period and I had it go on for upwards of 6 weeks before. It just takes your body awhile to adjust to the extended cycling, and some bodies are more stubborn than others.

I was on it for a year previously and have been back on it for a little over a year again, and now my body is very well adjusted. My first couple periods on it were a little intense and I did have on and off spotting, but now I spot maybe once a pack for a day or two - nothing a liner can't handle. It's also cut my periods to 6 mostly light days, instead of 7+ heavy days.

I'd say hang in there - IMO it's worth it if your body will accept the longer cycling. I wouldn't be suprised if you continued spotting for most of this pack, and for some of the next, but I'd guess it'd be cool after that. If not, your body may just not dig the new routine ...

twinkle · Coach

yep. it's normal. stick it out, it's worth it. i

seasonique.

blubirde · Chanel

It happens, unfortunately. But once your body gets adapted to it, it's sooo worth it. I've been on Seasonale for about 3 years and although I had issues similar to yours at some points, now it's smooth sailing and I love it. I rationalized by saying that it wasn't any worse than having a heavy period every month (which I used to on orthcyclen).

Hopefully it'll even out and then you'll love it too.

Lilykind · Hermes

blubirde wrote:
I rationalized by saying that it wasn't any worse than having a heavy period every month (which I used to on orthcyclen).

Yes, when I was on OTC, the only crappy thing was that my periods were still pretty heavy. I'd never had light ones so I never thought anything of it though.

This breakthrough bleeding thing is really annoying, but if it means never having to buy super-plus again in the future, I'm all over it.

Thanks ladies for all your reassurance.

kenzie · Chanel

halleybird wrote:

the same thing happened to me on Seasonique, about 2 months in. My doc told me to finish the full 3 months before switching. It stopped about the beginning of the 3rd month, and I haven't had a problem since. Sorry =( I know it sucks.

Same here. I think I was actually on the second three month cycle, though. In the second month of that cycle I had breakthrough bleeding for at least 3 weeks. I kept taking it and haven't had any issues since.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Sorry you are having issues. I've been lucky and never had to experience breakthrough bleeding in all my bcp switches. I will say that if you can get rid of it you will love being on seasonale/ique. Its great to just worry about things 4 times a year.