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'm totally digging your style! I watch ANTM all the time and see these ads! The one thing that throws me off is the "4 periods a year, but you may experience spotting that can be light, or heavy that it seems like a period"... then what's the point? I know it takes your body a while to get used to that, but why mess with it? And I'm so like you, even though we're careful with the pill, I always so a little happy dance when my period comes. I like knowing for sure! And if you're married like I am, and are in a relationship, things could happen! And what if you keep taking the pill for 2 months after you get pregnant and not know it! That could be really bad! I'm on Yasmin, have been for a while, my periods are super light and I'm perfectly happy!
I don't think its natural and women have had monthly periods, if they are healthy, since the beginning of human time. I don't usually mess with that nature. I also know that it helps clean your body every month when the uterine lining is shed from your body. If it is not regularly shed some women can experience bacterial infections, among others, more often.
I do not want to take this risk however I am fortunate enough to be on a regular monthly schedule without any birth control. In my experience the BCP only made my schedual worse.
The thing that I think you're misunderstanding here is the role of birth control on your uterus' monthly lining. First of all, fairly all birth control messes with your lining. In fact, Yaz states that it adjusts the make up of your lining so that if you do, by some chance, ovulate, the ova or egg won't be able to implant. That is, it can't attach to the lining, because the lining isn't right for that any more.
As it is, Yaz also makes the lining lighter. Seasonique would do the same. You'd have a period after three months, and as a result of a lining. Just one that is thinner and therefore discarded after three times the wait.
When I started taking Yaz, my OBGYN said that if I didn't want to have the periods, skip the placebos and start the next pack immediately. That it would have the same effect. Frankly, I keep my periods, because my husband doesn't let them come in the way of our intimate time, and for religous reasons.
I have a theory about this birth control. I, normally, have very heavy periods that always last seven full days. Also, I'm already emotionally unstable to the point it doesn't take much to make me cry. I always have really bad cramps as well.
I just started taking Seasonique and already I'm so much more stable and calm. I hate periods and see no sense in them, so I was very attracted to this BC.
Anyway, my theory is that some women who were happy and normal before they started BC ended up emotional wrecks before they finally quit taking the pill. The opposite has happened to me. Hopefully since I'm already a little chubby, I won't gain weight on this pill either. Hopefully. But I don't really trust my theory.
As far as the spotting, if you take the pill at the exact same time every day, you're a lot less likely to have BTB. Set an alarm on your phone and make sure you always have your pack with you.
Really, ANY form of birth control is dangerous for women. It disrupts their normal cycle which includes shedding a layer from the uterus and discarded eggs (ew I know), but with any pill when you bleed it's simply a withdrawal bleed because you stopped taking your hormones for those few days. There are some "natural" forms like taking your temperature and tracking your cycle, knowing which days you're fertile or not...there's even a little computer to do all the hard work for you - LadyComp. It's awesome and it works!
@K - Well of course condoms and whatnot are a whole other issue.
Birth control is unnatural because it alters the way your body works. For some women it works fine, but I have a terrible time still because of it. My point is, women should be very educated about these things before just diving in. That is all.
Besides, sometimes you just have to man up. I have ridiculous cramps that keep me from carrying on with my normal life. It's the worst pain I've ever experienced. But that is the price that I as an individual must pay in order to have mental and emotional stability.
For those of us that aren't effected, good for you. But I know many women who have been effected negatively, and I don't want to see it happen to a lot of others. Not that they should get pregnant. That was a terribly out of context remark.
@whatblokedoufancy117@xanga - See, that is why I got on birth control too. I hope you didn't take my comment in a way that you should not take it, because that is wonderful for you. I just didn't have the same results.
I'm 15, 16 next March, and I'm questioning birth control... I mean, I don't like the idea of messing up my hormones with a pill or something, and I understand if I don't go on the pill or something there's always condoms, but I'd like a little bit more reassurance that I wouldn't be getting pregnant. I'm curious exactly how birth control works, and the pros and cons. I'd appreciate anyone who'd be willing to answer my questions for me...
Hey, sorry. You said you have a degree in French? Can I ask what job/occupation you're currently doing? I'm doing my french degree right now. I'm loooking for ideas :) Thanks I appreciate it.
Be happy you get yours. I naturally don't get mine, maybe 3 or 4 times a year if anything. There's a chance that i might not be able to have children but that comes with the territory. lol
I'm on the generic version of Seasonique, and I absolutely love it. Granted, before I was on it, I would have my period like every two weeks, so I love that I don't have it for awhile. I was a little iffy on it, too, at first, but I really like it now. My gyno said that it would help get my periods back on a normal cycle, so I probably won't stay on it forever.
Seasonique [& other BC pills like that] are the only kind I've been on for the past 3 years.
I got put on BC when I was 15 to help me control my anemia because i had really bad periods to the point where I couldn't get out of bed and it was making my anemia that much worse.
I've only started having sex about a month ago, so I'm not sure how it compares as far as controlling birth goes [but I've been using condoms also, so I'm not too concerned about that]
But it seems to be just the same as anything else to me.
i think i'm the only girl on here who doesn't care if birth control messes up my ability to have children.
its a verrrry different outlook on birth control when i dont really care about what it does to my uterus. obviously, i don't want to hurt myself. but if it happens to screw up being able to keep a baby inside of me, i'm not really worried.
It really all depends on the person to be quite honest. I've been on Yaz for a little over a year and while it works wonderful for some of you, I'm less than pleased. It didn't clear up my face, my cramps (which were enough to keep me home on several occasions) got a little better at first but now they're back to normal and actually last longer, AND my period is longer than it used to be (it used to be 6 days now it's 8). While it's good to get opinions from fellow experienced females, you really do need to do a test and trial with most birth controls to see what's right for you.
My mom recently discovered she had endometriosis and had to have surgery for it. Her doctor actually reccommended Seasonique for me since it is a hereditary disease and something about the make up of this particular pill would make my chances of developing the disease less. I haven't gotten a chance to go to my gyno yet, but i have no problem with trying the switch. I have considered the pregnancy situation where i may get pregnant but not know and i decided if it's really that much of a concern for me i'll shell out the extra cash to buy a pregnancy stick each month, it will probably just equal the cost i would be spending on pads and tamps every month anyway.
My other concern was also mentioned here. Someone mentioned bleeding for months. When i first started Yaz i bled for the entire month until i got my period and my body was "given permission" to clean itself out. It was fine after that, however. No spotting or anything. I'm worried this might happen again for Seasonique. One month of straight bleeding was unpleasant enough, and now i might have to go through 3? I decided that's something i should take up with my gyno though. If i do make the switch i'll be sure to let you all know how it goes.
P.S. has anyone been on a pill that actually made their boobs grow? 'Cause Yaz didn't do that for me either -_-
@Cest_LaxVie@xanga - when i was on it i gained 35 pounds in a little over a week it was bad.. it gave me stretch marks because my body grew to fast and i finally lost all the weight in about a few months after getting off of it lol.. my best friend got on the depo shot same time i did back in 07 and she just now started to gain the weight and she decided she was gonna get off of it. Idk at first i didn't think i was responsible enough for pills but the pill doesnt make me a psycho bitch lol
pretty damn nice....considering the fact i have gone from having 2 peroids a month to 4 a year!! yay! i would rather pay the same amout i would monthly all at the same time than go though the crap of going though that many damn tampons!! save time and some money there