I'm 25, and I have never used bc. I was given this from my gyno. because my bf kept taking off his thingy. So the first day, the very first day my hair started to come out. I gave it two weeks, and threw it in the garbage. I had hair falling out everywhere, I had EVERY side effect listed. My vision was also screwed up. I didn't know what the hell was going on with me. My bf broke up with me, my moods were crazy, my boobs hurt, i had cramps, heavy bleeding, nausea, all i wanted to do was eat food, stomach pains, depression, anxiety, a headache, I was dizzy to the point were I just wanted to start crying, I even had the shits...This pill is a joke. I can deal with minor things like spotting, and I realize it takes 3 months for your body to adjust, but I couldn't even take it for 2 weeks. I did notice that if you take vitamins, the side effects were better.. but still my heart hurt so much I thought, holy crap, I'm going to have a mini-stroke at the age of 25. I am so thankful to god that I found this site and I could read other people's stories. I really think the idea of bc is wonderful, but until they make a pill that my body will accept- I'll stick with condoms, they have worked so far, I would even go on to say, I rather never have sex again then to go through the toll of this pill. This should have never been put on the market.
I started using Loestrin 24 about 3 months ago. I almost never get my period now that I've switched from EstroStep. I really liked EstroStep, but my blood pressure SKYROCKETED (150/100, usually 112/73). So my gyno told me to immediately stop with the EstroStep, and after 2 weeks gave me Loestrin to try. So far, I haven't gotten pregnant or gained any weight. I do notice that bloat out a little bit one week before my period, and sometimes my mood can be a lil bitchy. But hey - who isnt when she's on her monthly?!
Since I was about 17, I've been on 4 different BCs including OrthoTri Cyclen (went off patent), Ortho Lo (switched as it gave me awful headaches and shooting pains in my arms and legs), EstroStep and now Loestrin 24. So as long as my BP doesnt skyrocket again and I don't get pregant, I plan on staying with Loestrin 24 for a while.