Experiences with Lo-Estrin 20 vs Mercilon

[BumbleE17]

Just wondering if anyone has tried Lo-Estrin 20 or Mercilon (both combined pills with low oestrogen)? Over the past year and a half I’ve been experimenting with different treatments to see what works for me. I tried the Mirena coil (which didn’t agree with me at all), I tried purely herbal/natural remedies (which did help in some ways, however didn’t reduce my horrendously heavy periods and two weeks of pre-period endo pains), and I have recently been trying the combined pill, which - hooray! - is actually working.

Lo-Estrin 20 has lower levels of oestrogen and a different progestogen than what’s in the Mirena (Levonorgestrel). I have had a few side effects (a bit of weight gain, tiredness/generally feeling a bit run down, and low libido), but I’m willing to put up with these in compensation to being virtually pain free.

am wondering though if there’s any other low-oestrogen dose pill that anyone has tried? E.g. Mercilon? I am generally happy with Lo-Estrin 20, but I want to see if there’s a pill that works for me but that doesn’t cause the side effects (especially low libido!). I know everyone reacts differently to things, but would be good to know if anyone has had experiences of low-oestrogen combined pills that have worked for them. (I don’t want to try the mini pill as I’m worried it will cause acne and exacerbate anxiety.) Thank you! 🙏

[Christin_a]

Hello

I don't have any recommendations for low oestrogen pills, but I know there are a few other options.

But I thought I'd let you know that loestrin 20 and 30 has been discontinued by the supplier and they don't know if/when it'll be available again. I'm currently on loestrin 30 and only found out about i5 when I went to get my script filled.

[BumbleE17 in reply to Christin_a]

Oh no, that's so annoying.... thanks for letting me know though. I've just googled and read the same thing. I guess I need to start looking for an alternative as I've only got 5 pills left in my last pack! Have you thought about which one to try next?

I'm going to ask my GP to prescribe me Mercilon (or Gedarel, which seems to be the same ingredients but just another name).

[Christin_a in reply to BumbleE17]

I'm going to try the coil as I was starting to get more issues on the loestrin 30 after 3 or 4 years and mostly okay but recently having more flares and worse pain. Fortunately I was considering the coil anyway so it just bought the decision forward.

To get me through until when I have my coil fitted I actually bought a loestrin 30 privately as none of my local pharmacys had it and I wasn't willing to change pill just to the change to the coil

[BumbleE17 in reply to Christin_a]

Good luck with the coil - it didn't suit me, but I know it really helps some people. Hopefully it'll help you too!