Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thebektionary]

I was using the generic version of Alesse oral contraceptives for years and never had a problem with it. I got enough to last me for 6 months while in Korea, but after 6 months I started using the widely available and cheap Mercilon. It didn't give me any problems I was aware of so I used it throughout the remainder of my time in Korea. Because it was so cheap, I bought a lot of extra packs before I left Korea to use at home and continued to use it until my most recent cycle ended.

I noticed that in the past year my sex drive had decreased so dramatically from high and healthy to zilch. I always just attributed it to "getting older". I have had a high sex drive my entire life so it did seem strange that all the sudden it was completely gone, but I thought I was just turning into a typical woman. I didn't link my lost sex drive to the birth control until I was talking to a friend of mine about it who said that the same thing had happened to one of our friends and it was due to her birth control. When she mentioned that, I realized that my sex drive went away around the same time I started taking Mercilon.

I switched back to my old brand and now everything is back to normal. But now I'm realizing that when I go back to Korea it's going to be a problem unless I want to shell out hundreds of dollars to buy my brand from the U.S. up front and pay 9 dollars more per pack than usual because only one is covered by insurance per month. This is presenting a problem for me. I'd rather pay hundreds of dollars for a year's supply of this brand up front than suffer through what we were going through again with Mercilon. But I'd rather not have to do this if there is another possible solution.

Has anyone had this problem with Mercilon? Has anyone taken any Korean brands? I will maybe consider getting that implant or something else long-term but I'd really rather just stick to pills. I'm just trying to weigh my options.

[iselynjenniep]

this story sounds very similar to mine. i have been on mercilon for about a year and a half now. i barely have a period anymore (which i don't mind) and while my sex drive has gone way down, i also just thought it had to do with being getting old/being with the same person for 7 years. hmmmmmmm...

[jjurabong]

Abso-freaking-lutely. It completely killed my previously very healthy appetite. I switched to tri-phasic (triquilar - not widely available but doable ) and had better luck. Still, last year, I went off all together and it's like I'm a teenager all over again.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I don't seem to have any problems, but I did prefer using ortho tricyclen lo back home, and am interested in triquilar. If I miss one dose of mercilon, I get super crampy, and that wasn't the case with ortho.

Is triquilar low dose? I'm really petite, so don't want to take anything too strong. Also, is it available without a prescription? If not, I'll stick to mercilon. I keep the pack on the tea tin so that I don't forget to take it.

[jjurabong]

Not sure about the dose, but the pharmacy next to Taco Bell in Itaewon always has it in stock, and will sell over-the-counter. Triquilar is made by Bayer Schering, so maybe do some research that way about contents.

I went off the pill because I was turning 41 and was worried about continuing. I sprang for one of these: http://www.lady-comp.com/en and wish I had done so long ago.

It is incredibly accurate, and really puts you in touch with your cycle. I swear after a year of using it, I know now when I'm fertile just by how I feel. This, combined with condoms is a solution that really works for me at this point in my life.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I only went on birth control, because it's been shown to reduce the chances of getting cervical and ovarian cancer if taken for 8-15 years. It does raise the chance of breast cancer, but that kind is usually spotted in the early stages, whereas cervical and ovarian are often diagnosed in stage 3 or 4.

Thanks for the info! I'll be sure to check it out. I'm wary of switching, but I do prefer the tri-types. I'll call my doctor back home tomorrow and see what he thinks. Thanks again

[thebektionary]

[Dazed and Confused]

Implanon will most certianly kill your sex drive.
Try the IUD if you're in a monogamous relationship. Best decision I ever made. It was worth putting up with heavier periods just to feel "normal" the rest of the month.

[MollyBloom]

After being on Ortho-Tricyclin for a long time, I switched to Mercilon when I came to Korea and it f-ed up my body so badly. Finally went off it in 2009 and my body is feeling so much better. While the pill can offer some positive things, I personally would never go on one again.

By the way, can I waltz into a pharmacy and buy a sponge? Do they even sell them here? Also, how much are they, and do they sell them individually or in a pack?

[Katty89]

I currently use Nuvaring here in Canada and it's the best I have ever used. I don't gain weight and I can skip periods very easily with it. Plus it's only $10/month and I don't have to worry about taking it.

Do they have Nuvaring in Korea? I don't think I'd even be able to bring a supply over with me since it has to be kept cold.

I also know nothing about pills since I haven't been on a pill since I was 18 and it made me sick to my stomach. Was on the patch and then went to the ring.

[thebektionary]

[Draz]

Not sexually active in Korea so I don't care. Thanks for the heads up though. I'll keep it in mind if I run into any problems after I finally get out of here.

[Illysook]

Once upon a time, I worked at Planned Parenthood in the U.S. If you want to stock up on a U.S. brand pill, it is much cheaper to buy it there than at a pharmacy and they will usually let you buy your whole year's supply at once. Go see them or another low-cost health care provider before you leave.

If you don't want to do that, go to your regular doctor, explain your situation and ask for as many somple packs as they will give you. Most will understand that $30.00 to $50.00 times 12 months is more than a recent college grad has in her pocket and they will try to help you out. I'll bet that you get at least 3 months worth and then you can fill your prescription for another months worth, and before you run out, you can send some money home and have someone pick up the rest of your year's worth and mail them to you.

I personally didn't need any birth control in Korea so I don't know how it works there. Going to the gyno was an interesting experience. They did a sonogram on my uterus and ovaries as a routine measure. Then they told me that they would text the results of my pap smear. They probably did but it was in Hanguel so I couldn't tell. I hope that I don't have cancer!

[Vix]

Do not go on Implanon! I bled for maybe 6 months straight on that cursed thing! It will ruin your sex life completely!

[thebektionary]

Yes, that option is out. I've heard some horrible things from friends.

From the looks of things, I will probably just have to spend a fortune to get 12 months of my Lutera OC up front, or test out that tri-whatever brand they have in Itaewon before I leave and see if that works.