(27 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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So I was talking with some girls at work, and we started discussing how they came out with a new birth-control that you can take year round. Yes I said year round!
“LYBREL is the first and only FDA-approved, low dose combination birth control pill you take 365 days a year, with no placebo or pill-free intervals. LYBREL provides the same low level of hormones every day — so for as long as you take LYBREL, you won’t have your regular monthly period. Breakthrough bleeding and spotting is likely while taking LYBREL. However, for the majority of women this usually decreases over time.”
Lybrel works much the same way as regular birth control pills and has the same rate of effectiveness (99%) in preventing pregnancy. Lybrel contains the same widely used hormones as other birth control pills but is taken every day without a break for menstruation. The continual daily dosing of these hormones no uterine lining is formed, and so most women experience no bleeding or only some spotting or break-through bleeding.
I talked with the some of the pharmacists here at my work, and they said they’ve seen a lot of doctors writting for it now.
Only one question left in my mind. Who do you think pushed for this discovery of year round birth control, men or women? 
~HB~
December 13th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
I want I want I WANT!
June 9th, 2008 at 10:05 am
i have been taking lybrel for a month and a half now…..let me tell you for the past 2 to 3 weeks its been non stop bleeding thru. I have not had actual red blood but it’s just non stop spotting. I wonder when it will go away? I dont know anyone else on it who can tell me.
June 13th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I have been taking Lybrel for three months now and I have had intermittent spotting the entire time! I guess it’s not working out so great for me either.
June 24th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I’ve been on it for months – at least 8 now..
i had a perfect clear first month or two. then a couple weeks of spotting. then a few weeks of clear. then a month spotting and a painfully heavy period. then two months clear. then two month spotting, and one more month light bleeding.
according to my doctor, the longer you take a monophasic pill like this, the more your body will adjust. everyone is different – but most will have spotting in the beginning months. your body is used to building up that uterine lining, and every day that you take the pills, it trains your body to make less and less lining. since it won’t stop producing lining immediately, you’ll still have spotting/bleeding until your body learns to just knock off production altogether.
my body is apparently a slow learner.
i’m going to stick with it for now, because the promise of a period-free life is something i’ve dreamt of since this awful curse started!
PS – To all you uneducated ladies out there who think that you need to have a period because it’s “natural” or “cleansing” need to do some serious research. If you’re on hormonal birth control, that period you’re having is fake anyways! So why not just get rid of it?
December 18th, 2008 at 7:27 am
I had been tri-cycling with birth control for years because I’m one of the unfortunate people whose cycle was so out of control and painful, I actually would miss full weeks of school and have to get pain shots at the doctor’s office in some cases…. so for me, the transition to lybrel was VERY easy. I had no spotting since my body was already used to the idea of not having a regular cycle, and I’m extremely happy I made the change
I love having this freedom, and I love not having to dread the pain and the misery. For some women who only experience mild cramping or normal periods, it might not be for you. Or it might if you really just want freedom. but for people like me who had doctors tell me it’s best if I don’t have regular periods, it’s a GOD-send!
December 21st, 2008 at 1:08 am
To those who just started taking this, stick with it.
To those who dont have it and want it, get it.
I have been on lybrel for about a year now, and i love it. It however can be slightly pricey with most insurances not covering it, but it is worth it. And to comfort those who have non-stop spotting, dont worry. I was that way, and it does get better. But as far as overall, i love it. No cramps, no worries, and not even close to as many breakouts as i used to have.
January 16th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I have been on Zovia 1/35 for 6 years now, and I recently switched doctors. I have been taking the pills so that I only have a period once every 6 months. I had been told by my old doctor that it was fine and safe to do this.
I told my new doctor that I was thinking of taking the pills so I would only have a period once every year. She told me she strongly recommended against this. Recent research is showing that the longer you go without a period, the more you are hitting those cells inside, that you are not allowing to leave your body via a period, with hormones – this increases your risk of cancer.
It makes perfect sense to me! I will be limiting my periods to once every six months, or maybe once every 4 months.
I am also thinking of switching to Lybrel and using this pill to have a period every 4-6 months.
January 17th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
For the past 6 years, I have used the pill to supress my periods. Monophasics are usually chosen for this because of the risk of break-through bleeding. I, however, have used triphasics (Orthro TriCyclen, Ortho TriCyclen Lo and Trivora) to do this. Initially, I opted to have one or two periods a year. Eventually, I decided not to have any. I only tend to experience break through bleeding after a year and a half or two years without having a period. If it becomes annoying or last for more than a couple of days, I then know it is time to have one period and then I can continue suppressing them again and have no problems. Everyone’s body is different though. What works for me may not work for you.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:10 am
I took it for 8 months, loved it, but couldn’t afford it when I switched insurances. Went back to a birth control that had 2 days of placebos and bled like a psycho, told my husband I hated him, broke out all over my face like I was 14, and cried at the drop of hat. After 2 months I called my doctor back and said I would pay any price to be back on lybrel. I had a slight period every 4 months, took regular pregnancy tests just to be sure and my life was awesome. All these people talk about how “natural” a period is and how they want one every month are those girls whose period lasts 4 days and and 5 tampons, no cramps and relatively clear skin. They have never had to call in to work to say I can’t leave the bathroom. I feel like calling in to work 3 days every month is not natural and my boss doesn’t think it is either. Bring on the Lybrel.
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
I just got my prescription for Lybrel though I can’t start it for about 3 weeks. My sister’s taken Seasonal for a few years now & wasn’t sure which to switch to & decided to give Lybrel a try though my sister still thinks I should go with the Seasonal but we shall see! I’m a little nervous but excited to finally have Lybrel
March 6th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I’ve been on Lybrel for over a year now. After the first month, I had non-stop spotting/light bleeding for about 6 weeks straight. I was ready to give up but then it just stopped one day. I then had about 4 months of no spotting and then another 6 weeks straight of spotting/bleeding. It’s now been another 8 months and I haven’t had any spotting at all. It’s been wonderful. It’s definitely worth it once your body gets used to it. I started taking it mostly to help regulate my hormones and hopefully stop mood swings and migraines which were hormone-induced. It has actually worked really well for that as well.
March 10th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I have been on Lybrel for 3 months now and have also been experiencing continuous spotting and severe cramping. I know many of you stuck it out, but don’t think that I can handle it!!!
March 11th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I have been on Lybrel for two weeks now. I have had an awful time! I feel as though I am pregnant with the random nausea, and I have severe cramping that will take my breath away. I want to stick it out, but I don’t know if I can take this much longer.
March 17th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Im 38 and have been taking Lybrel for about a month. After my last child and breastfeeding I started having wild mood swing and bouts of anger and rage that I did’t have before. I went to counselling for abot 6 months to help manage my anger and that didn’t work. It took me awhile to realize it was something to do with my hormones and not regular PMS. I went and saw my Gyno. and she suggested Lybrel to regulate my hormones. I was reluctant because the pill usually gives me nausea and headaches and I havent taken It since my mid 20,s . So, started taking it right before bed so if I had any side effects maybe they wouldn’t be as bad. It has worked I don’t seem to have any side effects. Lastly my husband had a vasectomy after our last child so I’m taking this purely for hormone regulation. It is working so well, I’m actually happy. Not only that but I’m not yelling and screaming at my kids anymore. This created a lot of guilt for me. My patience has returned and I don’t feel like I’m a emotional wreck any more! Yea! My husband has even noticed a difference with our interaction. This drug has saved my home!
March 18th, 2009 at 9:12 am
I have been on Lybrel for almost 2 years now. I had no spotting when I started the pills but after about 3 months I started spotting all the time. I would have 3 months of nothing, followed by 2 months of spotting. Last summer I had spotting the entire summer! I even had a full period for 5 weeks. I was loosing so much blood I became very weak and sick. I had to start taking a pill with higher estradiol. After 3 months of staying on the new pills I switched back to Lybrel and was good for 4 months. All of a sudden I have my period again and I have had it all month so far. I have the bloating, cramps, mood swings, break outs and increased appetite. My boyfriend is going crazy with me like this! I decided after all this that these pills are just not worth the agravation. The thought of having no periods is wonderful, but nothing lasts forever. I plan on regulating my body again and taking something else. I’m looking into Yasmin. I hear good things about it.
April 19th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I was on Lybrel for about year and a half.I went on it at the tail end of some health issues…I went septic from an infection. At first I thought the pill was working for me and that I wasn’t feeling well due do to going septic. Then, the symptoms got much worse over time and after brain scans, several blood tests, and 3 doctors, we found out it was from the Lybrel! Because of this pill I gained 18 pounds. I’m only 5″1′ and weighed 120 before the pill. At my last dr appt I was 138! I had migraines often, and when it wasn’t a migraine it was a nausiating headache. I had NO energy..I couldn’t go to class or work, I would sleep 13 hours and still be exausted. I threw up almost every morning. I stopped caring about everything and cried constantly. It was terrible. Within a week after I stopped taking it, I lost 6 pounds, was able to wake up in the morning and actually felt like a normal human being with emotions! It cause such terrible depression that I ended up on Welbutren until my hormones were leveled out. SO, be careful!
April 28th, 2009 at 6:51 am
I started Lybrel in Novemebr and bled/spotted for nearly 5 months straight!! My doctor kept encouraging me to hang in there. Most of the time it was heavy bleeding or old blood. It was a BIG inconvenience and wasn’t worth bleeding that long. I switched in April and my body is alot better.
May 4th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I have been on Lybrel for 9 months now. My doctor put me on it because I started having terrible migraines that would last for 5 days at the end of my cycle. I couldn’t take the headaches anymore! The migraines were due to the drop in estrogen during the “off week” of regualr birth control pills. These pills have been a wonder drug for me. I only spotted the first month. I do not have symptoms associated with PMS any longer–moodiness, tiredness, cramps, aching breasts. Everyone’s body is different, but hang in there if you can. I will pay whatever Lybrel costs to be migraine free!
May 10th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I have been on Lybrel for a year and a half. At first there was lots of spotting…for maybe 6 months .It wasn’t heavy and it wasn’t bad, it was just a pain in the butt. I was almost ready to give up on it and then one day I completely stopped spotting. I love Lybrel, except I get migraines. I get migraines about once a week, sometimes more. My doctor thinks it could be the Lybrel cuz I never used to get them that much. I’m trying to weigh which is worse, migraines or a period. Basically, they both suck. I’m gonna give Mirena a try in a few days and hopefully I don’t have any issues with that and it helps with my migraines. If I didn’t get migraines, I would stay on Lybrel forever!!! It’s worth sticking through all the spotting for the end result of no period at all.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:20 am
i have been on Lybrel for about a month now. and i have had non-stop spotting. and I thought i had something wrong with my body but after reading this i think i was wrong. I will just stick it out and deal with the spotting for now. But its weird. cause first its light and brown, then its heavy and red. All i know it im ready for this to stop. But other than the bleeding i havent had any other problems(:
June 10th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I have been on Lybrel for a year and a half now. At first I hesitated to take it because I was not sure how I felt about not getting a monthly period. I had then found out that I have Endometriosis. By stopping my monthly cycle, the Endometriosis would eventually go away…. and it did. I as well had spotting for the first few months. But for the past 5 or 6 months now, I have not had any spotting. I love this pill! I have taken other birth controls and had major reactions to it (emotionally and mentally) but Lybrel has not had any negative effects on me! I would like to eventually get off of it so I can have children but being in Grad school… I don’t want to worry about that now!
June 12th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
begged my gyno for a drug to stop my period dont need it dont want it cant have children so why have this cursed thing got lybrel havent had a period since oh my god what a gift. its been a prefect year.
June 14th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I was perscribed lybrel for numerous problems, little did i know it would have the reverse affect. i took it was 9 months and out of those nine months 5 of those months i had a 20 day long period, which caused me pain, and even more cramps than i had had before. i tried doing it different like after each pack i would go off for a week but that just was even worse,
July 14th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Hello. I’ve been on Lybrel since June 2008. In the begining I had spotting for about two weeks.. every two weeks… it took about two to three months for this to stop.. and I’ve been happy since. . . I am getting married in October 2009 and would like to start trying for another baby soon after.. does anyone know how long it takes to get your regualr cycle back… (or how long it took you). Thanks in advance!
July 19th, 2009 at 1:57 am
as of right now, i do not like this pill. i still have about two weeks left of this pack, and i’m seriously thinking just stopping.
i started taking it at the beginning of march 09. i was blood free until the beginning of may where i spotted for about a week and it went away. then i was blood free until july 3rd, and i’ve been spotting ever since. its been over two weeks now! me and my boyfriend are about to go nuts.
i have never been that poor girl who has super heavy, crampy and headachy periods. i’d much rather have my normal period for five days out of the month than weeks of bleeding and not knowing WHEN IT WILL END.
July 20th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Does anyone find it peculiar that Lybrel does not have a patient feedback area on their site? Or anyone to notify or ask questions? I get the feeling they really do not care how well their product works.
I have taken Lybrel for 19 months religiously every night between 7 and 8:00. And although the spotting is light, I am on my 10th day of a light period with crankiness! I’m thinking of ditching the Lybrel and go back to the regular pill and take it every day. My doctor said that before Lybrel came out that was what Endometriosis patients did.
July 29th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
I HAVE BEEN TAKING LYBREL FOR ONE YEAR AND A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW AND I AM HAPPY THIS PILL CAME OUT. I AM 17 YEARS OLD AND I AM FINALLY LIVING THE TEENAGE LIFE AND CHILDHOOD I ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE. EVEN THOUGH SOMETIMES I SPOT ITS BETTER THAN GETTING MY PERIOD. BEFORE TAKING LYBREL I USE TO GET REALLY SICK. I WOULDNT GO TO SCHOOL FOR A WHOLE WEEK THAT I HAD MY PERIOD AND THE WEEK I HAD BEFORE MY PERIOD. I HAD THE WORST MENSTRUAL CYCLE IN THE WORLD!!
YOU HAVE NO IDEA THE PAIN I WENT THROUGH. I HAVE HAD THOSE PAINS SINCE I WAS 9. BUT NOW THAT IM TAKING LYRBEL I CAN HAVE FUN I CAN GO OUT AND HANG OUT WITH MY FRIENDS WITH OUT WORRYING IF I WAS GOING TO GET MY PERIOD BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE HEAVY AND HURTFUL CRAMPS FOR A WEEK BEFORE I EVEN HAD MY PERIOD AND HAVE MORE PAIN WHEN I HAD MY PERIOD.
THIS PILL CHANGED MY LIFE SERIOUSLY NO JOKE.
SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT LIKE THIS PILL BUT IT SURE WORK FOR ME. YEAH THERE IS PROBABLY SOME DOWNFALLS ABOUT THE PILL BUT BY THE END OF THE DAY I DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTTING MY PERIOD OR HAVING TO DEAL WWITH THE PAIN ANYMORE. I AM PAIN
FREE!!
NOW THAT IM PERIOD FREE I CAN FINALLY HAVE A JOB.. .. I AM HAPPY AND I AM GLAD THAT THIS PILL WAS MADE BECAUSE IF I WERENT TAKEN THIS PILL I WOULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF.
THANKS PEOPLE WHO MAID LYBREL.
August 8th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I have been on Lybrel for over 2 years now. I was very excited when it first came out, and actually tracked on line when it would become available. I have endormetrioses, which equals horrible periods for me. We had been trying to have a baby, but then I was diagnosed with the endo. after the surgeon who took my appendix out found spots of the endormetrioses on the removed appendix. The endometrioses had attached itself to the appendix, and every month during my peroid I would have bouts of appendicitis as well. I was very sick and in loads of pain every month, and went to the ER numerous times. We tried to over two years with no success. Even after the appendectomy, my periods were really bad. Before that, I was on a regular birth control pill, but that just meant I knew when my horrible time would come, and it would last the entire 7 placebo days. Before that, it was pretty regular, but I was never able to make plans during that time, because I didn’t know if my period would be early or late, if it would be 7 days, 9 days, or 2 weeks long. It varied month to month. I have gained weight, 20 pounds, on Lybrel, and I am working on taking it off. I have alway had headaches, but I can’t say Lybrel has made them worse. I do find that I am more depressed than usual, but I blame the economy for that. I thank God for lybrel everyday. I have my life back. I had some spotting and a few cramps, but compared to what I went through before, that was nothing. I just make sure to always carry some stuff with me. At least now I can carry just a few pieces of he light stuff as opposed to a box of super heavy duty! I would say that I recommend Lybrel to people who have endo like I do. They know what I am talking about. For the girl with a more average period, sorry, I don’t know what that is, and you may not find Lybrel to be a good fit for you. I would say Lybrel is perfect for any woman or girl who has every begged to a doctor in an emergency room “please, just take it all out, I don’t want it, I don’t need it, and I can’t take it anymore!”
August 19th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I have been on Lybrel for about 4 months. I never had any bleeding, which I thought was great while switching to a new pill. I had been on Seasonale since it pretty much started but the generic had been giving me a fit so I was looking for something new. I have endometriosis, which is why I have always been interested in less periods. I have had more cramping on Lybrel than when I have periods! It has not been as intense, but it has been pretty bad and almost every day. I kept deciding to wait it out, but now I have noticed a trend that it seems like I am almost always hungry and have gained 5 pounds…but it looks and feels more like 10! I am really craving sweets. I have no energy, tired all the time, no matter how much I sleep. I just had a full set of blood work done and I take vitamins. I think it’s time to give up on Lybrel for me. I was just wondering about the weight gain and hunger with other people. I did see a couple people say it. It’s the only thing I have changed that I can guess may be the issue for the problems I am having.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:36 am
I started taking Lybrel 4 months ago. The thought of having no periods was great! Everything was perfect for the first 2 1/2 months, then the breakthrough bleeding started. Like someone else mentioned, it started out light brown, then turned to bright red. It’s been light to moderate non-stop bleeding now for 7 weeks. My doctor’s office is not optimistic that the bleeding will stop anytime soon, so unfortunately this pill is not going to work for me. At the end of this pack, I’ll be switching back to my old faithful pill, Necon.
September 4th, 2009 at 5:51 am
My doctor told me if was to start bleeding to stop taking the pills for a few days and have a period. Your body will take time to adjust.
September 4th, 2009 at 7:04 am
I manage an OB/GYN clinic and have an 18 year old daughter who has suffered from extreme menstual cramping ever since starting her period. I finally agreed for her to go on the “pill” after consulting my doctors in an effort to eleviate her heavy bleeding and cramping. I immediately wanted them to prescribe her the Lybrel because I had listened to the Pharmaceutical Rep for this product make a bold pitch about how the patients taking the drug consistently would “no longer have a period” WHAT A CROCK! MY DAUGHTER COULDN’T STOP BLEEDING ON THIS PILL! Needless to say, I felt like an idiot because I ask for this particular brand AGAINST MY DOCTOR’S ADVISE! THEY DIDN’T BELEIVE IN THE PRODUCT THEMSELVES! AND I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED! Afterall, I know these physicians personally. Since then we switched her to YAZ. But it hasn’t been an easy transition. Her hormones cannot seem to get regulated, and she’s still having a light ongoing period. She is miserable, and I blame myself because she trusted me. She called me today from college in tears because she’s bleeding so heavily today she ruined her pants just before she had to stand a give a presentation in class. And for everyone else who thinks so highly of this drug, here’s a bit of 411. My physicians just attended conferences where the drug and the drugmaker were not spoken of very highly. Additionally, no reps call on our practice anymore or drop samples of the Lybrel for us to distribute to patients. Hint Hint. Don’t think this drug will remain on the market.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
I am going on my second month of Lybrel and I have to say its my EVERYTHING! Before taking Lybrel I had very short but painful periods. Not to mention 2 weeks prior to my period I became extremely emotional, moody, bloated, and hungry all the time! Not to mention I was like that the week of my period also. So that meant I only had one week of happy, sane life. Since taking Lybrel I’m had NONE of my old PMS symptoms. I’ve been relaxed, happy and I have energy. Best of all I’ve gotten no period. Not even spotting and no weight gain. I missed a pill one day and did have some cramping that night but nothing intolerable. Lybrel cost me about $20 a month with my insurance but is welllll worth it. I understand that different women will have different results but if at all curious you should definitely try it.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Helpful hints also….Set your alarm and take the pill the sameee time everyday…preferably before bed. I take mine at 11 every night. Not 10:30 not 11:15. 11:00 on the dot. I really think that helps. Also from a lot of the research Ive done before taking this pill I think it helps woman with slightly annoying to average periods the most. I think if you have an extremely heavy period you’re gonna have a lot of spotting still. Just my opinion from taking the pill though.
September 29th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I’ve been on Lybrel since March 2009. I agree with taking it at the EXACT same time every day – after spotting for 2-3 months daily, it stopped. When I missed that ONE pill, I started spotting again. Right now, I’m spotting every day and it’s really annoying, but I’m hoping it will go away soon. I’m sticking it out – I love not having a period!
October 23rd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I had been on Lybrel since May 2008 (It is now Oct 2009) and love it the whole time! Aside from the spotting off and on during the first few months, this birth control is AWESOME! Ladies, if you don’t have it GET IT, if you want it, GET IT! … I’ve recently just came off of it On Oct 14th to try for another baby, and had slight spotting about 4 days after and the spotting only lasted for about 3 days and I will defiantly be going back on Lybrel after I have my next child! Best of luck to everyone who tries Lybrel!
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:09 am
I know that everybody has a different experience with birth control, but Lybrel was a serious life saver for me. I don’t know how I ever lived without it. I had severe PMDD. I couldn’t get out of bed for days when I had my period. There were times when I literally had to crawl to the bathroom because standing up hurt so bad. I had the worst mood swings, and would always have diarrhea when I was on my period and for the rest of the month I would be extremely constipated. I tried Yaz for about 2 years and it helped with everything except the bowel movement issues. I would still have to miss class all the time because of the awful stomach aches, and in college, that’s really hard. I went to several gastroenterologists and nothing worked. I was miserable 4 out of 7 days a week. Then my Yaz stopped working at all. My periods were back the the same hell as before. I went to my gynocologist to ask for seasonique, the pill where you only get 4 periods a year. He basically told me no, that I needed Lybrel. I have loved it from the first pack. I did have spotting for the first 2 or 3 months, but no heavy bleeding. I’ve been taking it for about 8 months now and I don’t ever have spotting unless I miss a pill. This pill fixed everything with my cycle and it fixed by bowel problems. I FEEL AMAZING, all of the time. I can go out in public, eat at restaurants with friends, and make plans in advance because I’m not worried about being severely constipated or having diarrhea or debilitated stomach aches. I’m not planning my life around the 3 days a week that I felt okay to do things. Until I am ready to have kids, I will never stop taking this pill. Cheesy as it sounds, it really changed my life. I am so happy to be free of all the problems I had before.
December 9th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I started out liking Lybrel, for the first few months I had no spotting. But after that I had spotting every day, and moderately heavier even if I was 20 minutes late to take it. Multiple times I had such intense breakthrough bleeding that I had to wear pads for weeks. I finally switched just now…
December 30th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I started Lybrel 2 years agos and I spotted the first 3 months, stopped completely and last summer May 09 I started to spot again, my dr had me stop for a week and start the pills again and I had spotting for 2 weeks and none since. Just hang in there and it is all worth it in the end. No more migraines and bloating..it is wonderful!!!
March 13th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I am 39 and have been on some form of pill since I was 18. (Not having kids.) A few years ago the Dr. asked if I was open to changing from once a month period to once every 3 months. I jumped at the chance. Did not have any problems with that. I took those for a few years, then saw an ad for Lybrel. Asked Dr. about it and he gave me Rx. Been taking for two years now with no problems whatsoever. Last time I went, he asked if I was having any bleeding. I said no. He said that I was the miracle, so sounds like there have been some issues. Maybe the slow change from once a month to once very 3 months to nothing had something to do with it? Just something to think about and try…. I love Lybrel!
March 27th, 2010 at 4:11 am
I was on Lybrel for almost two years. I had three week long periods and might be facing fertility issues down the road so my gyno and I thought it would be great to save up my eggs and not have such long periods. I started taking the pills and up until 8 months later I was spotting so heavily I needed a tampon most days. Finally I got off of it after gaining 43 pounds! This was not due to lack of exercise or poor diet! I was getting to a point where I was exercising so much everyday I felt weak because each week there were more pounds to worry about. I’ve been off for a few months now and the pounds are coming off… SLOWLY. Also, just an FYI, I started getting periods again about 2-3 weeks after being on the pill. So for now, I’m just going to have to risk the fertility issue and deal with the long periods… but I’d rather have the periods than keep gaining weight like I did! I would NOT recommend this pill. I hope this helps at least one girl out there! =)
April 8th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
As Jane states in post #32, if you are thinking of trying Lybrel, I seriously advise that you wait until the product has really been tested. All birth control pills carry serious side effects, but Lybrel has been really terrible for me. I am going into month #3 — no real breakthrough bleeding, but terrible PMS like symptoms most of the month, including hives, increased body temperature, weight gain, and now weird vision issues — not able to see clearly sometimes. And, most importantly, I have no energy and workout regularly. I am stopping this pill immediately and may return to something more traditional or just stop altogether. Please seriously reconsider taking this drug.
April 21st, 2010 at 5:04 pm
I love this pill!!! Was on Seasonel, but I still had bleeding. I’m disabled (for 23 &1/2 yrs) and had a hellish time with it. Nerve blocks had caused bleeding EVERY day for a year and a half at one point. Lybrel saved me from goin through the bleeding completely!!
May 7th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
I’ve been through 3 different birth control pills. I started lybrel about three months ago, the first month was great no bleeding at all. But now I spot randomly, sometimes have my period for a day and then it will stop and ofcourse the most embarrassing part is it tricks me, I think I’m not bleeding but anytime during intercourse there’s a little bit of a blood; I’m frustrated. I’ll stick it out for another 3 months. Hopefully my body is just trying to get used to it, it’s been better than the last bc I tried (Loestrin 24 fe) (microgestrin) those were awful! But I’m still not thrilled. And I’ve been retaining a lot more water weight. I REALLY hope it starts to become regular soon! Miracle pill or not?
May 12th, 2010 at 11:31 am
I have to say, I enjoy reading your post. Maybe you could let me know how I can bookmark it ? Also just thought I would tell you I found this site through google.
May 12th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
I have been on Lybrel now for app a month and a half. At the end of the first month when I was supposed to have my period I began to spot. The spotting lasted about a week when the bleeding got heavier. I have had to use a tampon since then. I am willing to stick with it to see if I can get some relief from PMS and Migraines. I do get tired of the bleeding and I am more than ready for it to stop.
May 16th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I love Lybrel. Am 34 and been on BC since I was 18 to control painful periods and cystic ovaries. Been through I don’t know how many different brands of pills. Tri-phasel, mono-phasal and everytime I had to the the ‘off’ week pills — I would be moody, depressed and feel awful (plus deal with the period). Over a year ago, my Dr. prescribed Lybrel. I have been taking it and while have had some break-through bleeding from time to time, this has been a God-send. No periods, no breakouts, no moodiness and depression, no ‘off’ week, I haven’t bought pads or tampons in over a year. I haven’t had any weight-gain and love this medicine. It is in the highest tier as far as my insurance goes, but it is partially covered (and worth every cent)!
June 28th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
I am 17 and I have been on this pill for like a year and I have mixed feelings. I had awful migraines that would last my whole period week and basically incapacitate me. So my doctor was like, here have this! The first few months I had spotting and if I didn’t take it at exactly the same time each night, I would spot the next day. That has stopped and now I can even miss a day and be totally fine. The one thing I hate about this pill is that in the year since I’ve started it, I have gained 50 pounds. I have been eating only 1200 calories each day for almost the whole year and lead a fairly active lifestyle so I do not understand the weight gain. My Gyno said it was definitely not from the pill but what other conclusion can I then draw? I don’t know, it works for some and not for others. 50 pounds is worth not being in bed with a heating vomiting every hour for a week every month, though.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:48 am
i have been on lybrel for 4 months now…spotting pretty much every day…..has anyone else noticed hair loss? i am not sure if i am just being paranoid….but their seems to be olot more hair in the tub after i shower….
August 13th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@tracy
Thanks!
wow yes! I’ve been searching for reviews on Lybrel to see if other ppl have had hair loss issues… it looks like quite a few ppl have! I’ve only been on it for three weeks and my hair girl, who I see once a month, mentioned to me that my hair seems thinner ::gasp::. I’m going to give these pills until my next appt, if I’ve lost much more then I’ll have to try something else. But I LOVE this pill! (other than the hair loss of course) Does anyone know any other BC options that will minimize my periods? I just removed my mirena last month after 4 years, I have no interest in ever bleeding again, but I also don’t want any foreign objects in me either