His and Her Health

Is there such a thing as a pill that doesn't contain estrogen? I was doing some searching on the net, and it seems that they do exsist, but I didn't find much info about it. Any info would be great.

Progestin only pills (Micronor and NORQD in the U.S.) are available. They are less effective than the combination pills (estrogen/progestin). They can cause irregular bleeding, weight gain, and vaginal atrophy.<P>Dr. Goldstein <P><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Jennifer42474:<BR><B>Is there such a thing as a pill that doesn't contain estrogen? I was doing some searching on the net, and it seems that they do exsist, but I didn't find much info about it. Any info would be great.</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>

I've taken a different progestin-only Pill, Ovrette, for 16 years, and have done just fine. I used the progestin only pills because I have migraine and the doctors have always thought regular pills too risky. It has not caused irregular bleeding, vaginal atrophy or any other problems for me; in fact I had nice regular periods well past my 50th birthday. (They've just gotten a little irregular in the last year or so.) However, I did bleed continuously for about a month when I first started them after my last pregnancy. My doctor said that most women wouldn't tolerate a solid month of bleeding, but once I got past that, I was fine for 16 years. Although I have, regretably, gained weight over that time period, I did not lose when I went off the Pill, so I don't really think it's related. When I've consulted several gyns from academic centers about my best options for contraception, they've universally agreed that this was a really good option. If you have good reasons not to use a combination Pill, I would certainly, (based only on my own experience) suggest consulting your doctor about giving the progestin only formulation a try. <p>[This message has been edited by Midwest Mom2 (edited 23 June 2004).]

my doctor just put me on ORTHOMICRONOR which is norethindrone (whatever that is). I used to be on ORTHOCYCLEN, but I just had a baby and am breastfeeding - so I can't have a pill with estrogen. I start taking them today - but I'll let you know how I like them. I don't know if they will be different for me because I'm breastfeeding and haven't had a period yet, but I'll let you know anyway. Also - before I went off of Orthocyclen to try to get pregnant I had been having trouble with headaches and my doctor thought the pill might be related. Once I quit taking orthocyclen my headaches got much better.

I hope the Micronor works out for you. I have been taking it for the past 18 months or so and until recently they were fine and I was getting regular as clockwork "periods" however this month I found that I have had a period for 2 out of the 4 weeks of. The same thing happened in June. I am off to see my doctor tomorrow to see if there is an alternative pill that he can put me on. Due to me having Epilepsy my options seem to be pretty limited.