I love to receive emails from my readers, so I thank all of you for your support. I am commonly asked to suggest which pill brand would be the best choice given somebody’s particular situation. Just to clarify, I am not a medical doctor, so although I can provide you with information about a given brand of birth control pills, this information should not be taken as medical advice. It is always best to discuss pill brand concerns and side effects with your health-care provider.
That being said, Angel asks, “I am 22 years old. I take oral contraceptives to reduce acne and regulate my period. I have tried 4 different OCs in the past 2 years, but I have spotting days 10 through to menstruation. Could you suggest some brands that could cure my acne and spotting? … Oh and I'm a bit confused about ethynodiol diacetate. Does it actually CAUSE spotting?”
Combination birth control pills are made up of estrogen and one of eight types of progestins. Each progestin has a different potency in terms of progestational, estrogenic, and androgenic effects. The result of these effects (which may be experienced as a side effect) is dependent on the combination of the type and dosages of progestin and estrogen. Women may also respond differently to the combination effects of various pills.
Combo birth control pills that contain a higher estrogen level, higher progestin potency, and lower androgen potency tend to be less likely to produce the side effects of spotting and acne. The following pills have been shown to reduce the chances of breakthrough bleeding: Demulen 1/50, Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Ovcon 50, Yasmin, Zovia 1/50E, Estrostep FE. As a side note, Demulen 1/50 has also been shown to minimize problems with acne.
Estrostep FE, on the other hand, follows more of a high androgenic/low estrogenic pattern (which differs from the “suggested” combination pattern associated with reducing spotting). This brand, though, is a triphasic pill that was actually designed to help prevent breakthrough bleeding while attempting to keep hormone exposure as low as possible.
Just to quickly address Angel’s confusion about the progestin, ethynodiol diacetate. This progestin is typically associated with increased early or mid-cycle breakthrough bleeding and spotting. It is actually the estrogen dose (rather than the specific progestin) that is most associated with breakthrough bleeding. This means that higher estrogen dosages can counteract the likelihood of spotting. So in pills containing ethynodiol diacetate, the brands that also include higher levels of estrogen can alleviate this side effect (and thus minimize spotting).
- Progestational, Estrogenic, and Androgenic Effects of Progestin
- Monophasic, Biphasic and Triphasic Pills
- Minimizing Pill Side Effects
Photo © 2009 Dawn Stacey
Dawn – thanx for the great information. I use Estrocept and it works great. I am thinking of switching to Lybrel. Anybody have any thoughts on that?
Keep up the great work – we readers appreciate it!
Hi, I started taking Lutera 28 and was having a lot of side effects like headaches, nausea and just felt really sick all the time. My doctor changed my pill over to Loestrin 24 I have been taking it for a week and a half and got my period 2 days ago. Is that normal and will it stop? Thanks
Hey i am currently on the jasmin pill and i am on my fourth packet i stop taking it for a year and half previously and it worked perfectly. This time round im getting breakthroughs alot and its realy affecting my relationship.I am also terrified of doctors im terrified to go back up incase he checks me iv a phobia of blood. Any suggestions on how to stop the spotting and just
have a 5 day period every month.
I’ll look forward to your reply…
im schedualed to talk to my doctor soon about diff pills what do you guys think is the best?
Thanks so much for answering my questions! I will be discussing my options with my doctor soon
was on yasmin. It completely cleared my acne; skin was gorgeous (sadly, only when I’m on the pill); however, I had constant breakthrough bleeding. It was such a hassle I went off the pill. Now, no spotting but acne. What’s a girl to do…
i’m 49, on birth control pills ovcon 35,for like i year & is having trouble with breakthrough bleeding,
went to get a ablation but couldn’t get the surgery done because of a prior sugery i did in 2004, (essure),permenant birth control,a coil inserted in the fallopian tube. did a D&C but bleeding very heavy, HELP! thanks for any feedback,,,denise
I just switched from Lybrel back to my old pill. For the first month, I had some spotting. The second and third month involved breakthrough bleeding. My fourth month, had a constant period. I developed mood swings, some acne, and less interested in sex. I’ve been back on my regular pill for two days and can already notice the changes in my mood. I do not recommend lybrel to anyone. There is another pill on the market where you only have a 3 day period but I’m not sure what the name of it was. Good Luck!
Will Natazia reduce breakthrough bleeding as well??
I have been taking Natazia for 6 months and always start breakthrough bleeding about a week into the pill-pack. The breakthrough bleeding is constant, so basically, I’m bleeding (to some degree) for 3 wks out of every month. I’ll be speaking to my doctor within the next couple of days as to what other pill(s) I might be able to try instead of Natazia.
thank you sooo much i have taken the ortho evra patch i gained a ton of water weight all tho it did help with my acne and i had no breakthrough bleeding i am very concious about my weight so i switched to ortho tricyclen lo being i took it years ago with no problems now that i am taking it i am having break through bleeding this is the biggest nusence! i will tell my dr. about the birthcontrols you have listed thanks sooo much!
I have taken 2 months of Lo Loestrin Fe. I had only 7 days of no bleeding each month. And I am not talking spotting. It was worse than my regular periods. I was put on these pills not for birth control, but for already out of control periods. I spoke with the doctor and they are now putting me on something else. The nurse said that she has had numerous, similar complaints regarding this pill and is going to pass all of the info along to the drug rep.
I have been on Yasmin for the last couple of years and have been breakthrough bleeding alot..I’m wearing a pad about 2 weeks a month, getting frustrated…Anyone know of a pill that would stop this?
Thanks,
Michelle
That was helpful, Ive been on three different brands of bc. I just tarted my 3rd one last month and I’m my 2nd pack. The problem I have is spotting on them. My first pack I spotted for 4 months, my 2nd one I spotted for 6 months and it has begin again with this one its called orthocare 1/35. I’ve been though blood testes and ultrasounds and everything is alright. I’m starting to get pretty upset about bc.