I am 21 years old and have been on oral contraceptives for 2 1/2 years. My gyno first put me on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and after using it for about a year and a half, I noticed I still had unusually long periods (lasting between 7-10 days) so she switched me to Lo-Ovral. Since then, my libido has taken a complete nose-dive and I have NO sexual drive, but my periods are normal length and flow (about 3-5 days, no heavy bleeding). My boyfriend of 3 years is obviously not happy with me having no sex drive, so I made an appointment to meet with a nurse practitioner on Monday. I have been doing some research and I read a few articles that said that monophasic oral contraceptive pills (like Lo-Ovral) have been found to lower the libido, while multiphasic pills (like Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo) have been found to increase the libido. However, when I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, I had unusually long periods. I looked into the mini pill (POP's) and it sounds like it might be a better option for me. Periods are often lighter and less painful, and while often irregular, they usually settle to a regular pattern in time (about 7 months). I also liked that there is less weight gain associated with POP's as compared to COCP's, although this has not been a problem for me. In fact, I have lost 20 pounds since being on oral contraceptives. However, I did read that a lot of women gain weight on Lo-Ovral. So my question is, what are your personal experiences with POP's? Advantages and disadvantages? Or do you think a different type of contraceptive might be better suited for me (the Patch, IUD, IUS, Nuva-Ring) based on the information I gave. I also do not smoke, I do exercise and I try to eat healthy. My main concern is my libido-I have to get my sex life back! Thank you in advance!

Edited to add that I also experience vaginal dryness during sexual intercourse since switching to Lo-Ovral. I don't know if this is common or not.

I think that POPs are mostly prescribed to breastfeeding women, because they are less reliable (but combined with breastfeeding, which also is a method of contraception, they work well). With POPs, as you probably know, you do not have placebo days, which is why there is often breakthrough bleeding in the beginning -- you may stop getting your period at all, eventually.

My guess is that the progestin in Lo-Ovral is probably what is killing your sex drive. Also, it has less estrogen in it than Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, which is probably why your periods are shorter, because estrogen both controls breakthrough bleeding, but causes you to bleed more on your actual period.

Of course, you should talk to your practitioner... but I am 21 also, and I would not choose POPs as my method of birth control because I don't think I would trust them (and I take my pill at the exact same time every day - to the minute), although if you are very responsible about taking them, you will probably be fine.

If I were you, though, I would look into other combination pill options first. If you have only been on two pills, then it is possible that with another one, with a different progestin your, sex drive will return (it also may not). Since you didn't have any trouble with your sex drive on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, you may want to look for a progestin that is similar to the progestin found in that pill. Ortho McNeal makes several pills, so maybe try looking on its website to see if there is a better option for you (it also makes a POP, which may be the one you would want to consider).

I was on several pills before I found one that worked for me, and sometimes it's just trial and error -- every pill works differently. It is a hassle, but luckily you have only had annoying side effects and nothing that is terribly serious or life-threatening. I hope the nurse practitioner has good advice for you, and that you are able to find a method that gives you no issues.

good luck!