Lo-Ovral has 30mcg of ethynal estradiol... which is more than Alesse, and the same as two weeks of Triphasil (according to drugs.com, the second week of Triphasil takes you up to 40mcg of estrogen)... but 30mcg is still considered a low-dose birth control pill (anything under 35 mcg is).

I do think you were misquoted that the pills you were on had varying hormones in them... Triphasic varies, but Alesse is a monophasic pill, just like Lo-Ovral. You probably spotted due to the lower amounts of estrogen.

Anyway, it's great that you have found a pill you really like -- congratulations. I would certainly keep in mind others' warnings... I'm on a different pill and I have read horror stories about it, and I will always be aware of them... if I notice changes, I plan to stop right away =)

good luck with everything! it took me forever to find a pill that works for me, so I know what a relief it must be!

-Mirabelle