Top Model marathons on Oxygen, god bless them, typically include at least two commercials an hour for Seasonique. It's based on research saying if you're on birth control, you don't need to have a period every month, so Seasonique means you only have four periods a year. Over the course of a year, it
to what you'd pay for a monthly prescription. Cool, right? I don't know...
I feel like this could be one of those instances where it seems like a good idea at the time and research indicates it's fine, too, but eventually, something would go horribly wrong and we'd hear a recall like "IF YOU TOOK SEASONIQUE YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY BEFORE YOUR UTERUS FALLS OUT" or something. That's based on sheer skepticism/pessimism and thoughts from someone who graduated with a French degree (and consequently knows...not a lot about science).
And, to be honest, now that I'm on Yaz, I don't mind having a period every month.
I found that my periods were much more tolerable - they only lasted a couple days and were lighter - and consistent than they'd been before.
Given my limited knowledge of science and anatomy - but a basic understanding - I feel like what usually comes out during your normal period would have to be built up in some way if it wasn't discarded each month, right? And if not, that'd be messing with makeup of the uterine lining, and I don't think that's something I want to mess with if my future children plan to be renting the space for nine months. I guess I'm just of the school of thought that if it's too good to be true, it probably is...and I thought back to Fen-Phen and the horrible side effects therein.
I'd also want to get a period every month so I knew I wasn't pregnant - even though I'm super careful, I think every girl has the thought in the back of her mind that she really hopes nothing went wrong that month and needs to see some sort of confirmation. Seasonique would be, like,
nah, you're covered...still...okay, fourth month, never mind, no period AHHHHHHHHH. But, again, that's paranoia.
What do you think about the prospect of only having four periods a year? Are you skeptical like I am? Also, if you're on Seasonique now (I know there's at least one of you
), tell us what your experience has been like.
I feel like this could be one of those instances where it seems like a good idea at the time and research indicates it's fine, too, but eventually, something would go horribly wrong and we'd hear a recall like "IF YOU TOOK SEASONIQUE YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY BEFORE YOUR UTERUS FALLS OUT" or something. That's based on sheer skepticism/pessimism and thoughts from someone who graduated with a French degree (and consequently knows...not a lot about science).
Comments (92)
I like having ZERO periods a year. Yeah, be jealous.
Actually, the bleeding you experience on birth control isn't an actual period - that's why doctors don't care if you skip periods or take birth control that gets rid of it all together.
^That was recently was told this by my gyno - and she kept repeating "Women don't HAVE to have periods. It's not necessary - if it bugs you, it's not wrong to get rid of them." And I completely trust her medical opinion.
@whitetrashpoet@xanga - ooh, interesting (and kind of embarrassing that I didn't know that). brb googling to find out more
I'm iffy on Seasonique just like you. It's not natural only to have four periods a year. I've never thought about the getting pregnant thing (and not knowing until 3 months later), but I guess you make a good point.
I use Nuvaring, and it's pretty awesome and very hassle-free.
I don't like the idea of only having 4 periods a year. What happens if you're taking Seasonique and it fails to work properly, you end up pregnant, and there's no way to know for the next 3 months, so you continue taking birth control and it affects the baby in a bad way or something?
I'm currently on Yaz, and I don't mind getting a period every month anymore. I barely cramp at all, I'm not nearly as moody as I used to be, there's barely a flow at all - it's much more tolerable. Last year, before I was on it, I would typically have 12 day long periods, where I would be in so much pain I couldn't get out of bed, and I would be such an awful bitch for 2 weeks before and one week after that no one could stand to be around me. Now that I'm on Yaz, it only lasts 3-4 days and I'm a lot easier to deal with.
Ummm.. the idea is VERY appealing because I hate having periods (as much as I hate them now, I'll have to love them in the future... to ya know, have little me's runnin' around), but I'm willing to endure the pain cuz I HATE the idea of birth control.
@MCRUsedfreak87@xanga - lighter is better, for sure...my favorite part about yaz was that my face cleared up significantly after about a month. i'd been fighting zits for almost 10 years and it was a godsend
I'm telling my gyno either give me seasonique or else! If she tries putting me on something else, i'm liable to do jail time. (ok, not really but you get my point.)
@datingish - I never had much of a problem with zits, just oily skin, and I've noticed my complexion has started looking a lot better, and I can actually grow fingernails now!
my first thought when i saw that ad was "cool thing for the woman". but i am not so sure messing with hormones that much is such a good idea. idk. but each woman to their own and whatever works to keep ya happy works for me.
I tried Seasonale (before it was called Seasonique), and it made me have a regular flow EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR MONTHS. It's a great way to prevent pregancy... because when you're constantly bleeding out your vagina, no one wants to have sex with you....
@datingish - What is Yaz?
@methodElevated@xanga - EW! if you don't mind my asking, how long did it last before you said "forget it"? did you find one that eventually worked for you?
I think having only four periods a year would be wonderful but since I've been on BC, they've been more tolerable & only last a few days so I don't really mind when it comes to be that time of the month. Whenever I see this commercial though, I always wonder what it would be like if you got pregnant & then didn't actually know about it until two months later when you were supposed to get your period again.
@chayswag@xanga - low-dose birth control that specializes in preventing pmdd (like pms but worse) and moderate acne. my sisters were on it and liked it so i chose it too
I wouldn't be so skeptical. I'm on the shot (you take once every three months) and basically don't get my period at all... the reason is:
Regular birth control pills has hormones that stop the egg from being released from your ovaries but it doesn't stop the lining of your uterus from growing and shedding (it sheds after ovulation if no egg attaches, since the extra cushion is meant to hold a baby if necessary).
The shot on the other hand stops an egg from being released and *also* stops the excess growing of the lining of your uterus, as extra protection that if an egg somehow slips through (rare but possibly, my mom got pregnant with my brother while taking the pills) there will be no extra lining for the uterus to ever attach to and allow for someone to become pregannt.
There might be some other health risks, as I don't know much about seasonique but I'm sure it uses a similar method of sorts and, thus, I'd probably say to talk to a gyno first for strong information on it.
@datingish - Four months. And no, I never went back on the pill after that. It also happened to completely remove my sex drive (not just because of the bleeding), and I never really liked the idea of pumping hormones into my system, anyway (especially now with what studies have shown about the strong chance of losing all attraction to your mate because of pheromone receptors getting messed up).
It is true that the period you have while you are on BC is not an actually period, it's more "hormonal withdrawal" bleeding. Which, makes sense why most girls experience lighter periods while on hormonal BC. Plus, if you are taking hormonal BC, you aren't ovulating (typically.....that can happen occasionally) so there is no need for your body to "pad" the lining of your uterus in case pregnancy occurs. So, there isn't any reason to have a period. (That's how my gyn explained it.)
My issue with seasonique or any hormonal bc for that matter is the hormone factor. And it's purely personal. My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and the type of cancer she had was both estrogen and progestrone positive, and those are two hormones found in BC pills. When I mentioned this to my gyn, she told me it would not be wise for me to be on hormonal bc. Plus, I'm breastfeeding an infant right now and he doesn't need the hormones either. I also would be worried I WOULD get pregnant and not know and continue taking the pill for the next couple of months and that it would harm my baby (if I were on seasonique.)
It's really important for everyone to understand their bodies and how the medicines they put in their bodies effect them so I use the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) for BC. No pills and I've been doing it for a little over two years now. I love it, and it helped us conceive our son on the first try! :) But, that's my personal preference, it's not for everyone!
I am totally skeptical, even after reading all these comments. I've been on BC for about 4 years now and even sometimes thinking about that worries me (the fact that I've been on 'fake' hormones for so long..I once lost it while on a trip and so I was off it for a month and I had the heaviest period of my life and was extremely emotional the first few days off of it.)
However, my sister is on Seasonique and loves it.
i'm constantly skeptical... I've read horror story after horros story on birth control and more specifically seasonique. I think having a period only four times a year is a cool concept- but then again it has it's downfalls, as you mentioned. I don't know which one to choose.. but if i do pick seasonique, i'll be sure to let you know how it goes for me. :)
I don't even need birth control because basically i get my period for like two days and it fades away. idk maybe its just because i weigh less or im so young. >.>
No thanks! I'll try it when it's been tested, tried and true.
I'm quite skeptical. I'm on a low-dose BC already and it's making my periods stop from time to time already. I actually don't mind having it because it's a relief to know you're not pregnant (even though condoms + BC = 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999% protected), and mine aren't as bad as they used to be. So I say, bring it.
honestly, I love getting my period every month. I've had irregular periods since I was 11 (I'm almost 16), and I have cried rivers and rivers and worried a lot about why I'm not getting my period. I had to take birth control pills just to get my periods, and after I lost weight, my periods have been regular for the past 3 or 4 months. it's been an emotional roller-coaster for me.
the thing is, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and had always been scared that if I'm not getting my periods, that means my egg cycle is messed up, and that I wouldn't be able to have children. so no matter how much I complain when I am on my periods, I am extremely grateful to have them because I felt broken when I didn't get them monthly. so don't take your periods for granted and don't mess with your system, because there are a lot of girls who would do anything to get them, like I did at one point.
PS. yeah, the periods you get while on BC aren't real. they just trick your body into thinking there's an egg there and that's why you bleed.
due to my health history, my doctors have suggested that I DO NOT go on birth control pills since they mess up with my own body chemistry. O_o but the idea of Seasonique is appealing however, like you, using something that hasn't been tested for less than half a decade would make me paranoid.
my period is pretty light (duration of 3-5 days max) so I can't complain too much about it. Maybe the back pains a day prior to the actual event but that can be easily ignored with Ibprofen extra strength. lol