I was on Dianette for 6 years, then after a break of two years have been on again for a year. I originally went on this pill for both contraceptive purposes and to help with my hirsutism (excessive body hair). It did help reduce my hair slightly (although not to a great extent - I was hairy!) and I had no side effects that I could note.
I recently had a short 4 month break, and went back on. For some reason I experienced extended bleeding (lasting nearly a month) when I first went on and breakthrough bleeds which I had never experienced before. After perservering for another 6 months the breakthrough bleeds were still there (and long) and my moods prior to and during my periods/bleeds are horrendous. So I am swapping to Yasmin to try and deal with these problems.
So for most of my twenties, Dianette has been a good pill that has helped with issues, although not solved them. I have now had laser surgery to remove my body hair, which is fantastic and now means that the Dianette is not needed to help with this either. I have been diagnosed with depression twice while being on Dianette, but I cannot say whether this is to do with taking the pill or due to the fact that I just had depression. I have also managed to maintain a healthy weight during the majority of the time I have been taking it. Although this last period of taking, where it has caused me problems, I have gained half a stone, but this is probably because I have eaten too much and not done a lot of exercise, rather than the pill itself.
It is an 'old style' pill so I would think carefully about taking it, and it wouldn't be prescribed for just contraceptive purposes only and there are probably better alternatives if this is your only requirement. However, it helped with my additional problems and until it caused me problems after 8 years of problem-free taking, has served me well. If you have additional problems that need to be addressed such as hirsuitism or acne this may offer help, however, other more low dose pills such as Yasmin can provide help with skin problems. I never realised there was so much choice over the different pills and it is certainly worth sitting down with your GP to go through issues that concern you, such as libido, weight, vaginal dryness, mood swings, painful periods, so that you can work out the best pill for you at that time.
I think this has made me realise that your body changes as you get older. So what may be right for you at one time may not always fit your requirements or your body at a later date. I will see how I get on with Yasmin and hopefully continue with problem free, baby free days.
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Advantages: Clear skin, reduces water retention, effective contraceptive Disadvantages: Dry skin, feeling sick, new pill (long term side effects unknown)
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