Estrostep Fe and birth control

I've taken Estrostep for at least 7 years now, and I thought I have been symptom free until just recently I started to question some unusual symptoms and if they were caused from my birth control. I've had terrible bloating and constipation for the past year and I am thinking I might have a bad reaction to eating wheat, but I've never gone off the pill since I was 14 so I don't know. Also I find it IMPOSSIBLE to lose weight. I am a very serious triathlete and I train 12 hours a week, two to three times a day most days and cannot lose even 5 pounds with a perfectly clean low calorie diet. My sex drive is completely in the dumps and has been for years. It causes a lot of problems with my boyfriend and I but I'm afraid to stop taking the pill to see. I've tried Junel Fe and ortho tri-cyclen and felt that each made me gain at least 15 pounds with no diet change.

I have taken Estrostep Fe for as long as I can remember. I have always experienced pretty much all of the symptoms I have read here since I began taking it. This was the first and only birth control I have ever tried.

From what I'm reading though, it's hard to tell if what I have been experiencing is normal problems women have when their hormone levels change (anytime you change a birth control or start taking one for the first time this WILL HAPPEN guaranteed-it's a product of being a woman) or if the problems are caused by the pill.

I have however noticed through the years that certain things make the symptoms worse. Mostly dietary changes, things you eat during hormonal changes, among other environmental things actually contribute to the problems.

I'm wondering how many people that have posted here about their problems started on the pill for the first time using Estrostep Fe and also how many were just reaching the age where that wonderful gift of getting a period arrives?

A lot of teenage girls don't realize that BOTH the pill AND your period (even without the pill) cause big changes in hormone levels...and starting both at the same time, well.....if that's the case, then a lot of these posts make sense and seem to be completely normal.

FYI-to anyone frequently switching birth controls and not waiting at least 3 months in between to let your hormone levels stabilize..you can expect hair loss and/or facial hair, migraines, weight gain, and a host of other problems.

My point is, you can read things in these forums and think WOW I HAVE THOSE SYMPTOMS TOO!! DOWN WITH ESTROSTEP! without stopping to think about these things as well:

1. Women always have and always will be known for their mood changes, and bouts of depression. You also have to remember that during menstruation your body goes through a little phase that closely mimics that of being pregnant according to many doctors..PMS is a common thing. not just caused by birth control.

2. It is normal to have sore/tender breasts around the time of your period, before during and even after it. Look it up on any medical website!

3. read the side effects of the stuff BEFORE you decide to switch. they are put there for a reason.

4. the pill warns against taking it if you have or could have certain medical conditions. don't just blame it on the pill, go tell the doc EVERYTHING no matter how embarrassed you feel about it (trust me, they hear and see worse all day long)....don't be surprised if you find out you have some underlying condition you didn't know about. also, if you are overweight..taking most birth control pills is NOT a good idea for many reasons..the risk of blood clots (that can lead to stroke/heart attack goes WAY up)-also if you smoke..but did you know that if you are overweight your chances of getting pregnant on the pill DOUBLE (if your BMI is over 27%)..

My point is, keep an open mind, and for those of you just becoming a woman-learn more about how your body works because you'll need to be able to differentiate throughout life between the normal aches and pains and the ones that require a Dr. or hospital visit.

good luck!

Within days of starting estrostep my face, upper arms and upper part of my back broke out. Thought it would start to clear up, but no sign. It's getting worse and itches/hurts on my face. My ob/gyn prescribed it to HELP my acne, oilyness and large pores. My breasts seem to be getting bigger, but really need more time to tell. Very concerned about my face breaking out...will it clear up?