Women's health advocates around the US are cheering yesterdays FDAs approval of the birth control pill Lybrel. Why, even Brittany Spears is even celebrating somewhere as she has been quotes as saying if Lybrel had been available three years ago, her life might have taken a turn for the better instead of being where it is right now. Lybrel is the first pill to gain FDA approval for continuous contraceptive use in addition to also being able to completely halt a womans period.Lybrel, a name meant to conjure up the images of liberty, is the latest approved oral contraceptive to depart from the 21-days-on, seven-days-off routine (a design meant to mimic a woman's monthly cycle) that had been standard since birth-control pill sales began in the 1960s. The pill, manufactured by Wyeth, is the first birth-control pill meant to indefinitely put a stop to women's monthly periods in addition to being a highly effective contraceptive method in preventing unintended pregnancies.
Lybrel is the first and only low dose combination contraceptive pill which offers complete protection from pregnancy without any break and is taken, nonstop, for 365 days a year. The approval of Lybrel concludes a comprehensive review process that included expert advice from a meeting of an FDA's Reproductive Health Drugs advisory committee and an opportunity for public comment on issues regarding hormonal contraception. Wyeth has announced that sales of Lybrel should begin in the U.S. in July 2007.
Needless to say, a contraceptive like this is not without controversy. Many contend that a period is the epitome of fertility and femininity, and that stopping menstruation is just, well, unnatural. What are your thoughts? Please place your vote on the following 2 polls and then follow it up with a comment by clicking the comment link below.
Lybrel Photo (c) NBC 2007
Lybrel Poll: Is the FDA Approval of Lybrel Taking Things Too Far?
- No - I think its great that women have the option to completely halt their menstrual cycles
- Yes - there is something inherently wrong about not having a monthly period
- Im not sure
For Women Are Able To Use Oral Contraceptives: Would You Be Willing to Try Lybrel?
- Definitely! The thought of never having to have a period seems like a dream!
- Absolutely Not this just seems a little too unnatural and unwomanly to me.
- Im kind of on the fence on this one
I don’t think this is “inherently” wrong because it’s “unwomanly” or because I need the psychological reminder of my “femaleness” by having a period. I do think, however, that we are cyclical beings. I think are hormones play far more important roles in our physical and mental well-being than is currently known. I think that playing with these hormones needs to be studies in-depth and LONG TERM (and this pill has not been). Perhaps (PERHAPS) there actually are physical and psychological (ie/ no PMS) benefits to this pill without long-term consequences. What I think, however, is that we need to work with our cycles in order to defeat physical and psychological problems resulting from hormonal imbalances, rather than try to eliminate our cycles.
As a side note, I’ve personally known a couple of people who have used the pill to eliminate their periods for a few months at a time. They had great success for several years. Then, suddenly, it stopped working — they started spotting, periods returned even during pill-taking times, and PMS returned with a vengeance. I don’t think they regret their time off from these whoas, but they still don’t know the long-term ramifications.
I hope those who take this pill proceed with caution.
I would love to try this new pill. However I think I am going to wait for a little while to learn more about side effects and long term effects. I will definitely go to my ginecologist and talk to him about Lybrel.
What I find most impressive about Lybrel is that is seems like “Washington” is finally giving in a bit on the conservative reign of the Bush administration. It feels like all the power-hungry politicians there are doing everything they can to try to suppress womens reproductive rights and take us back from decades of progress. As an American citizen, I am frustrated and feel somewhat hopeless as I watch this religious, ignorant people make decisions that affect millions of women.
Approving Lybrel gives me a little spark of hope that maybe somebody is campaigning for what the modern woman wants. If a woman wished to try out this new pill more power to you. Personally, although its a pain, I like the reassurance each month that I do not have a little baby growing in my stomach. The way things are going in politics, I need to make sure that I have that reassurance because I may not have the choice any longer to choose to terminate what is happening in my own body. It seems to me that until each of these religious zealous politicians have personally adopted the millions of older (usually minority) children who are currently in foster care due to their parents not being ready to be parents, they have no right deciding that adoption is the answer for an unwanted pregnancy. Seems pretty hypocritical if you ask meI dont know about the rest of you, but I know where I live, I dont exactly see people charging over one- another to adopt these children. At least this FDA approval shows that maybe the people making the rules are not total idiots.
I am 44 and still use the pill. I would possibly like to try Lybrel in the future. But, like a lot of others I think I will wait for a year or so to see how well this new pill is received by women, and what the long term effects are (if any). I am glad to know that women are finally being heard. Goodluck to those taking it.
I am 22 years old and for the past year or so I have been experiencing the most awful painful and heavy periods. I am unable to move as the pain is unbearable, I have tries a number of different pills and even injections- none of which help! On many occassions I have phoned my GP crying in agony. I would love for LYBRAL to be available to me as soon as possible, at the moment, I find it hard to look after my child when the dreaded time of month arrives! Please help me!
I would love to take this pill. I have been taking birth control pills for about two years now. I love knowing when I am going to have my period, but it still comes at the most inoportune times. I don’t have cramps, but I have headaches and back pain. This is a wonderful thing. I am going to call my doctor Monday morning. I do have one question, how long does it take before you stop having periods?
I have had migraines since the time I started my period at the age of 13. I am currently on Depo Provera which has also ceased my periods. However, the claim that comes with Depo is that it can take up to 18 months to get your first period after stopping Depo. Another, drawback I have discovered that is that a lot of weight gain is associated with Depo. This is my second time on Depo. The first time on it I went up to 171 pounds. When I quick after fear of not having my period I dropped to 150 pounds. However, while on Depo I never but maybe twice a year had a migrain. When not on Depo and having cycles my migraines were occuring about 1-2 times a month. As I started Depo again a few years ago I am back to 162 pounds. I am getting married in November and would like to find an other alternative to birth control that will 1)not induce my migraines 2)prepare us in a year to get pregnant and 3)lose the weight I have gained while not bleeding on my wedding day.
So these various other contraceptives look like possible alternatives. I have been to various doctors discussing my fears of not having a period and not one has ever stated that there could be harm in it. Not once and I have asked doctors this question for the last 6-8 years. The question I would like to know is, “What is it that causing the igraines in the body and in the pills?”
I can’t wait for this pill to be released. I’ve been on depo for years, but I had migraines and it killed my drive, so I tried Seasonale. Nothing changed besides I got my periods back and I despise them so Lybrel here I come!
I am a teenage female to male transexual, only i don’t feel i’m ready to have testosterone injections (that would also stop periods) and become a man, so i am despreate for something to stop my periods and i don’t have anywhere else to turn. I also know a lot of other ftm transsexuals that are too young for a sex change at the moment and Lybrel would be a massive help to them. I just hope it’s on the shelves fast.
love love love the idea,just one question, is it avaiable in canada?
the period we get while on hormonal birth control is not a “natural” period anyway. Our bodies are just reacting to the lack of hormones in the ‘inactive” week, and then we bleed but there’s no reason we have to. the pill was originally designed to eliminate the period but people were concerned it wouldn’t be “natural”.
I just got my prescription filled! Woohoo! I started taking my sample pack two weeks ago. Missed a couple days and have had a period for 5 days now. They aren’t kidding when they say you should take it everyday!!!!!! (I’m horrible about that. SOmetimes I forget but I know it’s my own fault, not that of the pill.) Either way, I’m looking forward to a period-free life!!!!
I am currently taking Lybrel and I love it. I am finishing up my second pack of pills and I noticed a difference after the first week of taking it. I was on Seasonale and Nordette, and I experienced break through bleeding constantly. It was ruining my sex life and I got sick of bleeding! After taking Lybrel for 1 week, the bleeding stopped! I was so glad! Currently, I’m single and I have no need for a menstrual period, and for those who think they need to have a cycle when they are not trying to conceive, continue to suffer! There is no need to limit your sex life and happiness! (Mood swings, bloating, breast tenderness, etc.)
I am 43 and I would be interested in taking Lybrel, but how do you know when you are reaching the menopause?? I guess only if you get hot flushes, etc.
i would love to take this pill. I HATE periods because i have a back problem and it kills and also it just gets in my way of life and doing fun things. expecially in the summer. I am going to my doctor to get this pill. i dont care about any side affects. as long as i dont get a period, im happy.
I would just like to say I’ve been on Lybrel since it was available in July and I’ve had no problems with it. I had no breakthrough bleeding and couldn’t be happier to be period-free.
I am taking the depo shot now and I am interested in switching to Lybrel. I do not see a problem with not having a period, because I do not have on now. I feel that we as women should have a chance to decide to take a birth control wether it is a shot or a pill that will stop our periods. I guess the difference between Lybrel and Depo Provera (3-month shot) is that Lybrel stops your period automatically and you know it will happen, but the shot does not. It is a 50/50 chance that you might still have a period.
I like not having a period. Ever since I started my period I had very bad cramps. At times I couldn’t even get out the bed. So not having a period has helped me a lot.
I would definitely try this. I am 47 and two weeks out of every month, I feel awful. One week of severe PMS, and one week of painful menustration. I’d love to have my life back again. I don’t need it for birth control, as I had a tubal ligation. I’m just sick of being sick. This is worthy to try.
I got a prescription as soon as Lybrel was available and I happily paid the “Tier III” drug cost for it. My previous BC pill actually caused PMS for me (my hormone variations have always been VERY mild), and, in addition, caused a cyclical depression that I am not prone to unless I am on an estrogen-based pill (please do research on this if you haven’t…there’s substantial information from British and Aussie researchers about it). I’m on my second month of Lybrel, and other than some spotting for more days than I’d like (I’m on day 8), I’m good with it. No or fewer PMS symptoms and I know that after 6 months of it, I’ll be period-free. Whhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I have only been taking Lybrel for a while. I like not having to worry about a cycle but the nausea is horrific. I’m hoping that as I continue to take it, this will disappear also. Women should not be afraid to take this pill. We all have choices. As women, it is our job to know what benefits our bodies and what doesn’t.
I wuld love to try this when/if it is lisensed in the UK. For me, PMS added to severe depression that I also deal with is horrendous and seemingly pointless.
I have been on Depo for over 11 years and have not had one period during that time. I was very pleased with depo and ready to stay on, however, my bone density test was not too good. My dr. just gave me a script along with 2 free packs of lybrel. She told me that since I have not had a period in so long I should be ok and maybe NOT have a period. As for the folks who have gained weight on depo – i don’t know why – I have not gaine one lb. due to this medicine. I actually lost weight in the last year – my gyno was happy on that note! Also – for the nausea associated with lybrel – try dramamine (spelling?) or a medicine for motion sickness. that is what my gyno told me to try should i also experience this not so nice side affect from Lybre.! I am looking forward to continuing NOT having a period for sure!
Considering that I have had debilitating periods for about 26 years now, suffering monthly with depression and irritability for about a week prior to and excruciating cramps during, a 365 pill that ends periods seems to make sense to me. My only considerations are its safety record over the long haul, my body restarting my periods when I go off of it, and that it won’t mess up my body’s hormonal balance. I plan to look into it further.
I’m 44 with two kids 16 and 13. I’ve had an IUD since the birth of my 13 year old. Over the past couple of years, my period had gotten heavier, longer up to the point that I had my first “flooding” period and bled all but about 5 days a month. I think my body was trying to expel the IUD. I had the IUD removed about 20 days ago and started that day taking the Lybrel sample from my GYN. My period began to taper off and I have had NO spotting nor bleeding since the 4th pill. It feels great to have energy again! My husband planned to go in for a vasectomy, but for now, I think I really need to be on the Lybrel for my health. I think for women suffering perimenopause symptoms, Lybrel will be a wonderful treatment. I think our bodies really are trying for another pregnancy. Lybrel seems to satisfy my hormonal cravings. I plan to stay on Lybrel about a year, if everything continues to go well. I think if I was planning to be on Lybrel long term, I’d probably still want to go off for a few months every 12 – 18 months to re-evaluate, see if my period returns, etc. I think it will be as interesting to see what I’m things are like after being on Lybrel for a year.
I think this article was written with a very strong bias. The truth is this drug has not been out long enough so the FDA does not really have enough information to determine whether it is safe or not. Also, the questions in the poll were worded in a way that suggests if you do not support this drug you do not think women should have control over their own bodies and you think women having control over their own bodies is immoral. I would think it is a little dangerous for you to advertise such one sided information about a drug. I have heard many good and bad things about this drug but you did not give any real facts about this so people could make an informed decision.
I appreciate your comments. This birth control pill has the same combination of hormones that all other combined oral contraceptive pill does, so there is no reason to question that somehow, this particular pill would be more unsafe than the others. The FDA conducted numerous, long-term studies and evaluated its safety; therefore, that is not my bias that is the opinion of medical experts in the field. Additionally, medical authorities agree that not having a period presents no health risks to women as the period women have on other birth control brands is not a real period its actually withdrawal bleeding. For years and years, women have been putting off their periods by using other birth control pills and just beginning their new pack when their placebo week begins. The only difference between what has been long-term and regular practice by women world-wide and Lybrel is that this pharmaceutical company was savvy enough to obtain FDA approval to market the pill as a 365-day, no more periods pill. In all actuality, a woman could do the same things with any other combined oral contraceptive and achieve the same results.
The concept is great- no periods for a year! But Lybrel didn’t do as promised. I’ve been taking Yasmin for 4 years, and I have been skipping the last (placebo) pills in the pack and starting a new pack in order to skip my period. I planned this so that I would have my period every 2-3 months instead of every month. There’s nothing harmful in doing this, and my body had no side effects or breakthrough bleeding. My doctor encouraged me to try Lybrel because he was aware that I was skipping my periods anyway, and I was thrilled to have the option of no periods a year. I’ve been taking Lybrel for 2 1/2 months, and I’ve pretty much been bleeding every day since I started! I read on the Lybrel website that after 1 year of clinical tests, 40% of women were still having breakthrough bleeding and spotting that varied from light to that of a regular period. That doesn’t sound like it’s effectively eliminating periods for a whole year!! I called my doctor TODAY and told him I’m done with Lybrel. I’d rather have a period every 2 months or even once a month than EVERY DAY for 2 months! Every single time my husband and I had sex, I would bleed heavily. It’s likely to decrease over time, but I’m not willing to experiment and keep getting daily “surprises” for the next year. My advice: If you want fewer periods, just skip the placebo pills at the end of the pack once in a while.
The Pms Symptoms I expirence are above and beyond the norm .My mood swings I could not controll and was once deemed bi polar although I never had HIGHS! I would be moody a week before my period with violent out bursts and episodes of depression so dibilitating it wrecked havok in my first marriage and with interacrtions with my children and depression from PMS kept social interactions very edgy. Finnaly PMS is recognised and there is a cure. I am not concerned with pregnecy as I had a tubal years ago. Stopping the hormonal flunctuations I think will change my eating habits, my moods will remain level, and my emotions will be once again stable. I may also be able to not have to have a hysterectomy for a few more years as my uterus is prolapsed and increases the pain from my period and gives me longer periods and anemia. I am taking this medication to litterally change my life. After this is on the market for awhile and the studies are in regarding the abilitie to get pregnant after use of this pill for young women …I will also recomending this birth controll to my teenage daughters when they ask about contraception ,two and somtimes four ( two live out of the home) of them under one roof all with PMS is tooo much to have sanity in our home.So far so good so long periods…Hello to normal… MG
I have been taking Lybrel for just over a month. I am having spotting, but that is it. It was so nice to not have the mood swings and roller coaster ride that my period is. Plus I get migraines with the start of my period. I did not experience it last month. I will keep taking it and see what happens. I am really hoping this helps eliminate some of my migraines. I will also keep a close watch to see if anyone has side effects.
I found lybrel pills will help you if you continue to use for couple of months in a row to get the benefits of “no periods”.
I was given Lybrel as a sample from my doctor. After reading the inserts, I noticed all of the side affects. They are different from any others I have taken. After taking it for 2 days, I had a headache that would not go away no matter what I did. I quit taking them and returned to my normal low dose birth control.
I just finished my first pack of Lybrel, I started spotting only days after I started taking them, then, 2 weeks ago I started having a full blown period, complete with the worst cramps, headaches, nausea, clotting, and irritability I have ever had in my entire life! I have bled more since I have taken these things than I ever had. Any advice??
Is good for Endometriosis ? I have Endometriosis and the best for me is to stop the periods… Can I find it in China ? Please reply to my E-mail address, to aylin_yuky for yahoo.
Thank you !
I started Lybrel 7 months ago due to my horrible migraines that came with every period. I took it the first month with no problems, no period. The next month while I was on my wedding/honeymoon I bled the ENTIRE time. (hard to find affordable sanitary products on a cruise ship!) I stopped bleeding, then for a few months with only a little spotting every now and then, but all of a sudden I just started bleeding again and have been continuously bleeding now for 2 months!!! My migraines have gone away but I can’t stop bleeding and I have gained about 10 pounds since I started it. I have also lost my drive and I feel tired a lot. I am going to my Dr today and switching back to a low dose bc. Ladies do your research before letting your Dr talk you into something like this!! It’s not worth it!!
I have been taking yasmin continuously for the past 3 years without breaks between packs. I have found this every helpful as I use to have very heavy painful periods. I’m glad to see that there is finally a pill approved for continuous use.
I have been taking Lybrel for a month now, I am a endometriosis patient and so far I can say I like not having a period, I don’t like the hot flashes, headaches, and the tender breast that come along with it but I think I would rather deal with headaches than the severe pelvic pain.
I started on this pill back in February to stop my extremely heavy periods. The first two weeks of the first pack went fine and I skipped my first period. It went down hill after that. There was just breakthrough bleeding for the next 2 weeks. When I started pack 2 the bleeding became heavier and continued for the next 7 weeks. I called my doctor about every 2 weeks to explain that I was having an actual period and it was not stopping. She encouraged me to continue to the end of pack 3. It did not slow down so I just stopped taking it. I bled for another week after that. Just when I thought it had stopped I began bleeding very heavy and could not stop it. I ended up in the Emergency Room. I had bad clotting and once the clot(s) passed it slowed down. They did tell me it was because of the pill and gave me a large injection of Estrogen to stop the bleeding. It finally stopped within 48 hours but I am still “spotting” from time to time. 10 weeks of a period really took a toll on me both physically and emotionally.
It is a wonderful concept and really wish it had worked with me. My gut told me to stop long before I did. So please just trust your instincts you know your body better than anyone.
I have been taking Lybrel for about 10 months or so now. I originally was put on it to help with horrible migraines that I have been having for 4-5 years! I was on ortho-tricyclen and loved everything about it except that it seemed to be the problem for my migraines. I tried going off BC completely but the migraines got worse. WELL with Lybrel, they have gotten MUCH better. I still get them, but they are not as bad and not as often. I did spot a lot for many months at first, but it was very light. I do get cramps (not nearly as bad as when I was not taking BC but worse than with the ortho) but I only get them once every 3-4 months with the Lybrel. My period (if I get it now) lasts 1-2 days. Very light, minimal cramps. So it’s not too bad. And like I said, migraines are much better, which for me, is the biggest thing. They can be AWFUL. I experienced no other side effects (nausea or weight gain, etc.) – none of that.
Well..I am a healthy 20 year old and i have tried this pill (the correct way, not skipping any or taking late)and i am a believer in some pills may work for some and not for others. I did NOT have a good time with this.. i found out after i had started taking them that they are supposed to rid you or your period, which is something i don’t like personally. I would much rather not worry that I am pregnant. Also i lost my sex drive..i mean lost it..and i had “breakthrough bleeding” for months..i thought i will give it about three months to take effect and after 9 months it didnt get any better. I just had a bad experience with it hopefully it will work out for many if they decide to try it. I did however had a good experience using Estrostep always regular and no cramps i felt just fine.
I have been taking Lybrel for about 5 months now. I used to have normal periods, except for ridiculously painful cramps and irritibility. For the first 3 months of taking the pill I had break-through bleeding twice, and my other symptoms completely vanished. In the five months now I have only had the breakthrough 3 times. I believe this pill works for some, but not all. I do however find myself tired more, and continuously losing my sex drive. I think I may have also gained weight but I did just have a child 10 months ago, so I may just not have lost my prego wieght. I love this pill and until i see any outrageous side effects i will keep taking it. I say try it, because it may work for you.
I started Lybrel in April 2008 and was 175 lbs. It is June 24,2008 and I am now 192 lbs. I have felt great until June. I am now getting swollen ankles, hair thinning, and cramps. Something is going haywire. I am scheduled to go to the NP tomorrow. I am a very active 36 yr old and this is really worrying me. The weight gain is going up and up fast.
I have been taking Lybrel since February. My doctor suggested it because of my severe endometriosis. (I’ve unsuccessfully tried to get pregnant in the past and have had surgery to remove as much of the tissue as possible). I have had mostly negative experiences with all the different kinds of birth control options. The first two months on Lybrel, I bled almost continually. I went back to the doctor, ever so hopeful that if I continued, it would get better. He examined me thoroughly and actually saw visual healing starting! He encouraged me to continue for one more month to see if the bleeding would stop, and it did. I have not had breakthrough bleeding since then, and I am very excited by the possibility of my body actually starting to heal. I don’t want to say Lybrel is a miracle drug for everyone, but for my body, it has been a life saver in every way. Now I have hope that someday I’ll actually be able to be healed enough from endo that I can get pregnant. (Oh, and I have to say the click case thing is just too much fun!)
I just started Lybrel 3 weeks ago, I’ve gained 8 lbs since starting it. I’m more bloated then I’ve been ever, my breasts grew a cup size and I am a Triathlete. I am seriously concerning NEVER taking this pill again ……… IT sucks.
I started taking Lybrel about 1 year ago, after the birth of my second child. A little hesitant at first, my OB reassured me and I tried it. LOVE IT! Did have a little bit of breakthrough bleeding the first 6 months, but now have none. Most importantly, no more pain from endometriosis, no more PMS of any kind. And also, no weight gain or any other symptoms. Every woman is different.
I can honestly say I am disappointed because I used it perfectly and had sex w/ my husband and still ended up pregnant. I would say that it’s good as long as a condom or some other non-hormonal birth control is used with it, just in case.
I used it for two months. My period- which happened at the normal intervals were twice as heavy and twice as long. I also had nausea so bad every day, everyone thought I was having morning sickness. I have now stopped taking it for 3 weeks and feel much better. It is not a drug for everyone. (I had never had a bad reaction to BC before but because they stopped making Alesse…I had to try another one.)
I have been using Lybrel for a year, and it is wonderful. The hormone ups and downs of no pill or 21 day pills are not something I miss.
I get the same amount of hormones every day, which for me means less mood swings. And I don’t miss the cramping and bleeding. Try it for a few months. You’ll see the difference.
I have been on Lybrel since January 2008. At first I had a little spotting but nothing major. I was put on Lybrel due to being prone to ovarian cysts. My OBGYN thought this pill would be perfect for me because it would stop ovulation and I would not have to have any more surgeries to remove large ovarian cysts. Now (about 9 months after being on Lybrel) I have experienced spotting and breakthrough bleeding. After 10 days of spotting, I called my OBGYN & she advised me if I bled for 2 weeks, call them back. Well, the spotting had stopped for about a week and then returned about 4 days ago. The menstral cramps have been constant (not like before I went on Lybrel) and needless to say, it hasn’t been fun. (Thank God for those menstral cramp heating pads that attach to the undies!). I called my doctor again to let her know the bleeding is back and is heavier than before. She advised me to stop taking Lybrel for 3 days and then start it again. I guess I will play the waiting game now and see what happens. As with any medication, some pills work for certain people and some don’t. I can deal with the bleeding (as long as it’s not for extended periods of time) but the cramps are horrible. Maybe because I haven’t had cramps for so long I forgot what they were like. Anyway, I just wanted to post my story to let women know not to panic if you have spotting/breakthrough bleeding but I do suggest making your doctor aware of what is going on if this happens to you.
i hated it! I bled 4 months straight and it was totally the opposite of what i wanted it to be….i dont recommend it.
Call it “unnatural” or whatever you wish, but this pill is a lifesaver for women like myself.
I am a young adult female and have had terrible periods since I can remember. Very heavy, extreme cramps where I would miss school/work, vomiting, etc. I mean, it just didn’t get worse.
I had never taken any b/c before lybrel and soon after it came out I asked my doctor if I could try it. It attracted me because it is LOW dose and because it’s the 1st pill approved for non stop use.
I started Lybrel 6 months ago and it just gets better and better. I didn’t have any side effects, no weight gain, no headaches, etc. I had/have spotting but it’s normal and it’s not unexpected. I can “feel” when it’s coming and it’s very light, it just lasts a lot longer than my usual period but trust me, if you had the periods I had, 2 weeks of barely anything spotting is HEAVEN.
I continue to use this pill for a while, and hopefully with time my periods will cease completely. There is also a possibility I have endo, so even better that this pill is available!
The only downfall is that my insurance barely covers it and it is VERY pricey compared to other birthcontrol pills.
Every woman is different. Keep that in mind. This may work for some and not for others. I have been on Lybrel for 13 months. The first 4 months were ok. The next few I had bleeding every 3-6 weeks for about 1-2 weeks. Doc said try Lybrel 2X a day. I did. That was about 2 months ago. I have now been bleeding for 48 (yes, that’s right) DAYS in a row. Keep in mind I have many other “OBGYN” problems, but it’s something other women should know. I am going in for a complete D&C to see what else may be wrong. Before Lybrel I was a mess with pain. Now? I’m afraid to stop because I don’t want the ovarian cysts & endo to come back. Don’t know what to do.
I STARTED TAKING LYBREL BECAUSE I HAVE ENDOMETRIOSIS. I EVEN HAD LASER LAPAROSCOPY, BUT THE DOCTOR WASN’T ABLE TO REACH ALL THE ENDOMETRISIS AND HAD ME TO GET ON LYBREL. I’VE BEEN ON LYBREL FOR ABOUT 3 WKS AND HAVE ON AND OFF SPOTTING OR BLEEDING SINCE. I’VE TRIED TO HAVE SEX, BUT EACH TIME I START BLEEDING. I HAVE NAUSEA FROM TIME TO TIME AND SOME CRAMPING. HAVE THIS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE AND IF SO WHAT DID YOU DO?
Is This Avaliable in Canada Now???????
I am currently taking Lybrel and this AFTER my hysterectomy! It seems that I have a cyst on my ovary as well as a place on my cervix that STILL BLEEDS and causes pain every month.
So my doc prescribed Lybrel. I am going to stop it because I have constant pressure in my head as well as an increase in my blood pressure. I’ve taken it for over 1 year. And, she doesn’t want to remove the ovary & the cervix which seems to be a logical answer to my problem. There’s got to be a better way.
Lybrel is by far the worst contraceptive I have ever used. After taking this for 7 months I still have break through bleeding every single day(not spotting)! With the four other contraceptives I’ve tried through the years I had your usual spotting and break through bleeding but just for the first 2 months. I have never bleed for 7 months straight. I want to get off of it and start a new one, but my hope/fear is that what if tomorrow it finally stops, or if I start a new one then I’m guaranteed to continue this for another 2 months. I’m at my wit’s end!
oh my god ! I find this all quite scary – it is sinister and strange. If you were meant to be born as a man [ie, no periods] you would have been. A woman’s power is her biology, but women have been so dumbed down by the patriarchy that we actually now celebrate the fact that we can medicate something normal and natural. Ok, cycles can be ‘stressful’ but in there, is your self, your natural, wild self. Now you’re just dumbed down. wake up !
This is just another big idea from the money hungry labs, they dont care about the consequences. Withour getting into a moralistic discussion, from the health point of view, this unnatural way to prevent menstruation certainly must have serious side effects. I wonder if the labs are disclosing the whole truth about it.
I’ve been there and had very painful cycles to the point I would pass out from pain, it happened to me several times, plus the discomfort the days before, etc. but I would NEVER try this. I don’t know if the Nicole Dishuk story is a scam or not, but some details sound logical enough for me.
Lybel has been an absolute lifesaver for someone like me. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Endometriosis in ’06 and prior to that, had extremely heavy periods with cramps and PMS symptoms so bad that they caused vomiting and passing out at least once per year. I had minor spotting the first year, but since then I have felt the best I have in 15 years. Note that I did undergo a laparascopy to remove an endometrioma and surrounding blood cysts, then went on Lupron Depot (ugh) for 6 months post-surgery prior to going on Lybrel full-time to treat and maintain my endometriosis.
As a long-time sufferer of many disabling symptoms when having periods, including severe headaches, nausea, cramping, severe fatigue, bloating, etc. that made me miss work or stay home and miss social events because I felt sick and did not want to do anything, I am overjoyed to hear there is a potential solution. My being a woman is NOT defined by my fertility. If I never had a period again, I would be thrilled. I think people have old-fashioned ideas about their periods. I would of course want to know that any medication I take has been thoroughly tested and is relatively safe.
My daughter has been taking Lybrel now for over a year and loves it. She’s had break through bleeding a few times, but the severe cramps she had with her periods…disappeared. She likes not have a period every month. She is not sexually active, but had severe long heavy periods with cramps and Lybrel has given her relief. I’m very pleased with Lybrel and what it has done for her. There is an e-mail going around saying that because there is not a period every month and the blood is not released, that Lybrel can likely cause a blod clot in the young adult life???
I am 43 yrs. old with 2 children. I have been off and (mostly) on the pill for 24 years. I started taking Lybrel in 8/07. A little light spotting at 1st but nothing worthy of a panty liner. No weight gain,mood swings, etc. Lovely, just lovely. WELL….in 8/09, I started spotting and it turn it to a flow that was worthy of post-birth bleeding. I could feel the blood and big clots draining out of me. I bleed through a tampon in less than 1 hour. Gross, right? Not to mention a little scary. This went on for 3 days. Turns out “this isn’t unusual”. Thanks for 2 great years, Lybrel, but I’m going to have to let you go.
I’ve been on Lybrel for 2 mos and am changing back today! The migraines are awful and my blood pressure has shot up. No periods is great but my mood is out of control. It’s like having PMS 24/7
hey people there’s a safe site there you can read about contraception and buy on-line drugs 24drug.com
I’m researching to find my first birth control. It’s kinda nerve wracking when you look at the possible side effects. But out of all the ones I looked at, Lybrel seems to be the safest. I’m not done researching, but I’m definitely pulling for this one right now.
I have been taking Lybrel for over 2 years and only recenly have experienced heavey bleeding. I have not had a period in 2 years and just this week I am having a period. I had some occassional spotting throughout but nothing major. I’m wondering if the pill loses its activeness after time.
I was on Lybrel for exactly 1 year starting in April 2008. I did not have breakthrough bleeding but over that year gained 30 pounds despite alternating Yoga and Aerobics 5 days a week and staying away from fast food. At the end of that year I quit taking it because my new husband and I wanted to get pregnant. My first period off of Lybrel was the worst period of my life. My periods since have been heavier than before I took the Lybrel. I found my emotions have been very out of control around my periods and much worse than the typical PMS grouchiness and cramping is worse than before also.
And here is the kicker. I now have Fybroid Tumors and Ovarian Cysts and cannot get pregnant. I did not have Tumors prior to Lybrel. I had cysts when I was in my early 20′s and they went away around the age of 28. I am now 40, a newlywed of 2 years and cannot conceive.
I thought not having a period the first year of our marriage would be great. Now I completely regret taking Lybrel and wish we would have started trying to get pregnant right away. We cannot afford fertility treatments and my hormones and periods are a complete mess.
God gave women a monthly cycle for a reason. Don’t mess up your body by trying to skip it.
I started taking Lybrel about a year ago. Before I asked my Dr for the Rx, I read reviews and side effects. The comments I was most concerned about was the possible increase in heavy bleeding. I still wanted to try it though and thought the benefit of not having a period would outweigh a few months of bleeding. When I first got Lybrel, I actually went out and stocked up on heavy flow maxipads which are still sitting in my bathroom cabinet. I have had great results with Lybrel. In the first few weeks I had very light breakthrough bleeding, not really even enough to wear a pantyliner. I love not having a period and have not experienced weight gain or nausea like some of the other women have commented on. Before Lybrel, I had been on conventional birth control continuously for seven years so its possible that this helped to reduce any side effects from the Lybrel. Every woman is different but if you don’t like having your period, I would definitely recommend trying Lybrel as a solution.
I used Lybrel when it first came on the market. I was a Seasonale user from the date it was available. I had a terrible experience with Lybrel, constant bleeding (not spotting), swollen breasts, and mood swings. Basically I felt like I had my period all the time. After three months I stopped. The doctor said my body had to adjuster, but I could not stand it for that long. It was explained to me that because you take this constantly it is actually a lower dose that for example Seasonale or another form of birth control. I now take the generic form of Yaz, just like I took Seasonle and it works wonders. The only reason I got off the Seasonale was because I was getting adult cystic acne, and the Yaz took that away within the first three months. I would not recommend Lybrel at all.
I would absolutely give it a try. I can’t wait to get my hands on Lybrel. Is this available in South Africa yet?
I wanted to try something taht would help with my heavy bleeding I heard about lybrel, its been a month since I start takeing it, doing my 3rd week my period started and this has been the worst preiod I ever had my period never lasted no more than 5 days, my period is much much heavier and I am on my 10th day with my period, I am not going to take lybrel anymore.
Hmm… I surely think that anyone choosing to take Lybrel would have to proceed with caution knowing that it has not been tested for long term effects on womens health. On the other hand this was not a political debate though we are free to speak our minds so Im not disagreeing but puting facts on abortion for the world to see is sad. If you arent ready to be a parent then you arent ready to lay with a man/boy at this stage in your life. Making right decisions come first not second to the decision of killing that small human growing in your body! Its horrible that people would take that route knowing their are millions that go to clinics everyday to pay thousands of dollars just to be on a waiting list hoping that they get a call one day someone will make the “right” decision and have the child and they will get to finally be parents! There is a God and I pray for those that don’t follow his lead!
Well, I’m thinking of trying this medication because my dr says that he thinks it will stop my seizures. Well I’m all for that, its been 18 years now & it really is frustrating going to the hospital every month. The doctors don’t know what to do with me & they come around the time of my period. They started when I was in labor with my son , . I have a VNS, (vagus nerve stimulator in my kneck, its like a pacemaker in my chest), it shocks my brain every five minutes, plus I take medication daily. I also had brain surgery a year & a half ago, helped a little but still have a monthly episode of seizures. In 24 hours I had 5, that was last week, anyone else with epilepsy tried this lupron treatment? for treatment of seizures.Hormone therapy isn’t working either. Hopefully this will.
I took Lybrel for a year before I decided to have a baby, and I loved it! I loved not having a period! I became pregnant the first month I stopped taking it. I did however gain a but of weight while taking this pill and also experienced a lower sex drive:( I just started taking it again and I’m going to try and get to the gym as often as possible to counteract the weight gain because I loved not having a period! I also didn’t experience ANY spotting.
I’m almost 46, and had my tubes ties many years ago. I need to go on a low dose pill to regulate my periods, which are right now about 10-11 days long, 21-25 days apart, and heavy. This pill seems like a godsend to me – I’m not worried about pregnancy, and am approaching menopause anyway. I’d LOVE to not have a period!
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I took Lybrel for 3 weeks and I noticed that I was so depressed that whole time that I just had to stop taking the pills! I would rather be depressed and moody for a week from my period than ALL the time from the pills! I didnt know why I was so depressed, and then I looked into the side effects of Lybrel. I will report back in a few weeks on the progress!
I am 22 years old and have been taking Lybrel for 3 years and I have never had any issues. I spot bled around the time I would have normally had a period for the first month but after that I’ve never had any spot bleeding. I have actually lost weight since starting Lybrel, and though I don’t credit this to the pill I do not think it has hindered my weight loss goals at all.
I have noticed that some months I go through a week where I’m a little extra moody but it’s not every month and I’ve never had cramps or any other symptoms. I will continue to take it until I decide to have a family or until my doctor recommends that I stop.
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I have used Lybrel for two years. When I dont use contraceptives I have terrible cramps, mood swings and atleast 4 migraines during the seven day period. Lybrel eliminates all of that. I LOVE IT. I can’t wait for the generic to come out because it is expensive. Before Lybrel came out, I use Ortho Novum 777 and took it everyday to eliminate my periods because I cant handle them. The migrains are debilitating. There are women who have their uterus’s cauterized to eliminate a period so whats the big deal? I’m almost 45 and it’s not like I’m going to have anymore kids. I just cant handle the effects anymore of a period. Lybrel is GREAT!! I recommend it to everyone. NO SIDE EFFECTS. Yah!
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I have been on Lybrel since June and my body is still adjusting to the drug. I had PMS and spotting in the beginning, and then, experienced a couple of really good months. Recently, I have been dealing with oily skin and acne, and more PMS. I hope to have more really good months and am sticking with Lybrel. I would rather go without a period and am willing to wait out the craziness.
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Recently this past week, a 31-year-old newly graduated student, with a
doctoral degree about to start her new career as a Doctor, was flown into a
nearby hospital, because she passed out.
They found a blood clot in her neck, and immediately took her by helicopter
to the ER to operate.
By the time they removed the right half of her skull to relieve the pressure
on her brain, the clot had spread to her brain causing severe damage.
Since last Wednesday night, she was battling. They induced her into a coma
to stop the blood flow.
They operated 3 times. Finally, they said there was nothing left that they
could do.
They found multiple clots in the left side of her brain.
The swelling wouldn’t stop, and she was on life support.
She died at 4:30 yesterday. She leaves behind a husband, and a 2yr old
Brandon and a 4yr old Justin.
The CAUSE of DEATH – they found was a birth control pill she was taking that
allows you to only have your period 3 times a year…
They said it interrupts life’s menstrual cycle, and although it is FDA
approved… shouldn’t be –
So to the women in my address book – I ask you to deal with your period once
a month –
so you can live the rest of the months that your life has in store for you.
Please send this to every woman you know – you may save someone’s life…
Remember, you have a CYCLE for a reason!
For Your Information:
The name of this New Birth Control pill is Lybrel.
If you go to Lybrel.com you will find at least 26 pages of information
regarding this drug.
The Second Birth Control pill is, Seasonique.
If you go to the website Seasonique.com you will find 43 pages of
information regarding this drug.
The warnings and side effects regarding both pills are horrible.
Dear Dawn Stacey or all else out there with much experience or clinical post-market knowledge of Lybrel:
What are the hormonal long term poyential side eddects? I’ve heard from several MDs that. after time, Lybrel (or simply menstrual and/or withdrawal suppression) can cause a woman’s body to enter a state of early menopause and testerone may also plummet.
Also, what do the studies say about ACNE -help or make it worse – in women?
I have been taking lybrel for 8 months now. I love it! I had very light spotting of and on the first 3 months and never again after that. I have gained about 8 pounds and my breast went up about a cup size which is a small price to pay for no mood swings, cramping, spotting and of course, no periods! I highly recommend taking this birth control. I was on a traditional birth control for 6 years prior to trying this one and my body had no problems adjusting to it only minor spotting.
Are any of you currently taking Lybrel, living in Canada? I have called 2 pharmacies and talked to my doctor and they have never heard of it!!! I’m so bummed! I’d like to try this pill, but don’t know where/how to get it. HELP!!!! PLEASE!! I am on Sesonale and I HATE IT!
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