I usually research every prescription I get (minus typical decongestants, cold medicine, antibiotics, etc) before I even think of filling them. I've never been one to trust that the doctor knows everything. Too many years of the doctor knowing just too little of everything. Plus a strong sense of taking care of my body in a more natural way...all leave me wary of conventional medicine.

I'm not sure why I didn't research the oral contraceptive that I chose in more detail. Before starting it, I compared it with Yaz (which my dermatologist chose for its anti-acne abilities) and I obviously chose Seasonique over Yaz. The current lawsuits against Yaz for increased risk of stroke and heart attack left me scared. Plus, I read extensive horror stories about how the progestin in that pill increased all sorts of nasty side effects from the birth control. On top of that, the DRSP used in that pill contained spiro which I'd taken before and experienced hair loss.

So I started the Seasonique six weeks ago hoping to see improvement in my periods as well as the mandatory contraception use while on Accutane (federal laws mandate 2 forms of birth control while on Accutane). But now that I've gone to day 14 with breakthrough bleeding (and cramping the last few days), I decided to do some more research. And the research that I found really irritated me.

Apparently, the progestin used in Seasonique is quite the opposite of what my body needs at this point. Although it has extensively lower stroke risk, it also has high androgenic effects. Basically, it increases the risk for acne, hair growth, and overall "confused" hormonal levels. That alone forced me to decide that I needed to switch pills. But on top of those effects, that specific progestin is known to cause extensive breakthrough bleeding, no matter how long the pill cycle lasts.

Those are things that I'm just not willing to risk. Why take a pill that might cause acne when I'm taking Accutane to clear acne? So I've switched back to the pill I was originally on back in 2007. Ortho Try Cyclen Lo whose progestin is known to have very few side effects and low androgenic effects.

And I'm incredibly hopeful that the breakthrough bleeding will subside soon (although part of me is scared that it will take going off the pill and regulating my hormones in order to stop it). I also know that the nausea will be gone for good. And I shouldn't see any other side effects from this pill. At least, I didn't back in 2007.

I'm also thinking that changing pills might have an effect on my blood sugars. Since starting both birth control and Accutane, my blood sugars have soared into the 200s and my insulin needs have nearly doubled. I know that both of those can cause blood sugar irregularities, but I'm hoping that it's more the birth control and less the Accutane. I'd love to see even better improvement (my averages are in the 170s this past week), plus be able to lower my insulin needs to a more normal range.

I'm sure my body needs time to clear the old birth control out of my system, as well as a few days of adjusting to the new hormones. But I'm extremely excited that I've made the switch. As to the benefit of fewer periods per year with Seasonique, there is a way to tweak Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo that I'll utilize in the coming months if I feel the need.