I have been on Yasmin for 2 years and I’m thinking of switching to Seasonale. How has your experience been with Seasonale? Does it cause more weight gain than regular birth control? The reason why I want Seasonale is the 4 periods a year thing. I heard that there is breakthrough bleeding with this pill. I have really heavy periods and I think this is the pill for me if I can just deal with 4 periods a year. Ladies, tell me your Seasonale experiences.
Wow, I was thinking of starting this thread myself. Let me add one more question- about the breakthrough bleeding, does it occur only when you would normally get your period, or unpredictably all month long?
I haven’t been on Seasonale, but from experimenting with other single-phase pills, the longest I can go is about six weeks before I started getting breakthrough bleeding, not just occasional spotting. That’s the main thing keeping me from wanting to try this one, though.
I took monophasic birth control pills continuously for about six months and had no breakthrough bleeding or weight gain. It all depends on your body chemistry.
It isn’t even necessary to take Seasonale for the “no period” effect - most any monophasic (same hormone levels every day) pill will do the trick. If it’s cheaper to get another brand, try it. Needless to say, if you try this with triphasic birth control (differing levels of estrogen and/or progesterone on different days), you can pretty much depend on breakthrough bleeding.
I was advised it was more important than ever to take the pill at the same time each day since even a small lapse in the level of hormones could increase the possibility of bleeding. As well, my doctor saw no reason for even 4 breaks a year which is why I had been taking it for six. Your doctor may have a different opinion, of course.
Be prepared for the periods you do have to be even heavier than usual. Ugh.
I second what Cyros says.
My gyno told me that Seasonale was just an expensive version of the monophasic pill, and didn’t want to prescribe it.
I take Nordette continuously, and havn’t had a period in about 2 years. There was some breakthrough bleeding at first, but I think it had more to do with being on a new, monophasic version rather than my old pill. I’ve spoken to 3 gynocologists and one GP about the continuous pill-taking, and they’ve all been very supportive. I’m never gonna have a period again!
As far as weight gain goes, well, I’m already fat, and I didn’t notice a change.
Z
I’ve been on lessina for a few years. I’m supposed to have 4 periods a year, but I let myself have about 2. They’re very light and after about 5 days of no birth control pills, I just start taking them again. I’ve never had break through bleeding ever. My sister has tried this, but did have the bleeding. Each person will react their own way.
Seasonale will probably cost more because it’s new. These other steady dose pills are less expensive and do the same thing as far as I can tell, hormones are hormones.
I’ve had the same box of tampons for at least 3 years. It’s great.
I’m using a plain monophasic pill and I do the every 3 months period. FANTASTIC is all I can say. I was having seriously scary bad periods and this has changed my life for the better. I had a problem with bleeding only once when I screwed up my pills and that was a bitch, but otherwise every 3 months, like clockwork, I get a several day very manageable period and that’s it.
I have tried going more then 3 months, but when I did I bled anyway, despite not missing any pills. I guess my body is just made to go every 3 and no more.
I have just started week 7 of my first pack of Seasonale. My experience therefore, is only limited to the first cycle, which can apparently be a little more wacky than future cycles, when your body adjusts.
For the first few weeks, I had absolutely no spotting at all. Then on week 6, it began. I probably ruined about 5 pairs of underwear before I wised up and bought pantiliners. I’m hoping that the spotting will diminish once my body gets used to Seasonale. The spotting isn’t really bad, it’s mostly just a residue when I wipe, but sometimes it leaks out onto my underwear. Frankly, it’s kind of cramping my sex life, because while the spotting isn’t externally bad, penetration gets a little messy. And when I’m wiping away minor amounts of blood, I’m not real interested in allowing oral sex.
So the spotting is definitely going to happen. I’m just hoping that the next cycle will be a little bit better, because I will have adapted to the whole thing.
I’ve not noticed a weight change - and frankly, if I did, it’s MY OWN DAMN FAULT FOR EATING SO MUCH. 
I’ve been on Seasonale since Septmeber of last year. I’m 44 years old and was having incredibly heavy, long-lasting periods. My husband has been snipped, so I don’t need them for birth control, they are only to keep me from having 3-week long periods.
My experience with them has been quite positive. I haven't noticed any weight gain or unusual side effects. The first couple of days I took them I was a little nauseous, and I did have a few days of breakthrough bleeding during the second month I was on them, but I haven't experienced either of those things since. My periods are lighter and less painful- the third day seems to be the worst, but I've only had 2 periods since I've been on them.
They are a little expensive here- $120 for a 3-month supply. But it probably evens out for what I save in tampons and Motrin.