Taking Lybrel and still bleeding

Hello,
I am taking Lybrel only as an alternative to end my periods. I am not in any relationship, I already have an IUD (paraguard). I don't need to take birth control pills but I am only taking Lybrel because I heard that it ends periods. I hate having my period because not only are they uncomfortable  but I go through severe pms. I asked the doctor for them and she prescribed them for me. However, I've been bleeding (having my periods) for three months now! What's the purpose of taking these pills if now I bleed everyday! It's a really dark bloody discharge that stains my underwear. I have to wear tissue or panty liners everyday. I am not happy with the results. I've been taking lybrel every moning when I wake up. I have not skipped a day. I don't plan in having any more kids, is there any other way I can end my periods? Please help me. When I was pregnant I became anemic. I haven't had a blood test ever since but my hair is falling and it worries me a lot. The only advantage I noticed was a very slight breast growth.  What should I do?

[healthfiend007]

Wow, that is ridiculous. Did Lybrel work at all before this started happening - i.e., did it work for a few months, and then stop? I've heard that it can cause some breakthrough bleeding/spotting, but not bleeding every day! Sheesh, that *****. It's really new, and though it's FDA approved, I was skeptical when I heard about it.

I'd go back to your doc... Don't give up, there is probably a pill out there that can make your periods more manageable. Have you tried Depo Provera, or Loestrin? Something that would at least reduce the frequency & heaviness? That might be better than having bleeding every day. Good luck, sorry, but you probably need a doc's advice on this one.

[mLiz79]

I am trully deceptioned. I am thinking on not taking Lybrel anymore, it's not reaching its purpose. I am miserable. The worse part of it is my doctor! When I told her about lybrel she gave me a perplexed look. Mind you, she's a gynecologist! I had to bring her a print out, and this was on my second appointment. In the beginning she prescribed ocella, I stoped because it was making me bleed. She told me that I shouldn't had stoped because it was my body adapting to the pill. When I read about Lybrel, I immediately printed the information and asked for it. I had faith on this pill. My period started on Feb. 11 while on Lybrel and I have menstrual staining, occassional bleeding, every single day. Good thing I am single, if not my partner would have been really sick and tired of this! Ending my periods is hopeless, I've been thinking of asking for a  hysterectomy or just getting my ovaries removed. I don't want anymore children. I went through a horrible episode of post partum depression, abandonment by my ex husband, divorce, deception, child used by my ex against me, I'll say I went through a living hell. Pms doesn't help as well as bloating and acne. I've gotten to the point where I hate being born a woman. I feel it's a curse, not even transexuals have it this bad.

[healthfiend007]

Did you make sure to give the pills (when you tried both ocella and lybrel) a few cycles to work? I know it's annoying, and in the mean time you have a life to contend with... But sometimes it takes a while for these things to work. It's weird that ocella (generic Yasmin, I think) would make you bleed, because that is usually one they give to women who have problems with breakthrough bleeding. How long did you try it before you quit? Doctors can be aloof and dismissive, but you have to follow their advice correctly before you can determine whether or not the treatment was wrong. I know it's hard, they can be so frustrating.

Hysterectomies are sometimes necessary, but don't do anything rash. Whatever it is, you should go back to your doctor (or get a new one), and keep trying! It sounds like this condition is really demoralizing, and damaging your self esteem.

I might look into therapy or a support group for the depression issues, too, if there's some way you can get access to it affordably. It sounds like you have been through a lot, and you deserve somebody to help you through it! Good luck, Liz. :)