Expert: Norman Solberg - 8/20/2010

Question
Dr. Solberg, I have a question about my daughter.  We started her on OCs at 15 to control horrible periods (about 8 days of heavy bleeding, nasty cramps, fatigue, light-headedness, mood swings).  She is now 17. She started with Loestrin, which resulted in 3 months of nearly continuous breakthough bleeding.  She was switched to Yasmin/Ocella, which stopped the breakthrough bleeding and controlled the cramps, but didn't do much to significantly reduce flow.  She did stay with that brand about a year and a half. In an effort to reduce flow, she was recently switched to Trisprintec, and now the breakthrough bleeding is back.  Do we keep doing the brand dance or are there other options that she should be asking the doctor about?

Answer
Today there are many different birth control pills, each a little different.  Each one tends to have different side effects in different women.  I would try a different pill.  Usually your daughter and her doctor can find a pill that will give her fairly normal periods without breakthrough bleeding.  The pill is generally the best thing we have to help your daughter.  Best wishes.