Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mikejelai · Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Location: Seoul

I just arrived in Seoul last Tuesday. I and my husband would like to know where can we get or buy birth control pills for me. Should we need to go to a doctor for prescription or we can get it directly in one of the pharmacy or stores here in South Korea or Seoul?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

Mercilon (spelling?) pronounced muh-shee-ron comes in a pink box. It's from Ireland.

It's a 21 day pack (the last week you don't take anything) and every pill is the same dose. If you're switching from a tri-cycle pill like ortho, expect a 3 week period your first month.

Start taking the pill ON the first day of your period. Your period will be off the first month, but you'll be protected after that. It's annoying, but the stuff is a nice low dose. There's an ortho-similar type, but it's a high dose, and most people prefer low dose.

Mercilon is by far the best option here. It's about 7,000 won a box.

kabrams · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Location: your Dad's house

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

No you still have your period.

After the first month, expect to have a 3 week period. Both my sister and I experienced this. It's a pain, but after that first month we were on regular schedules. The week you don't take the pill, you have it for a few days. It's much healthier to have it monthly. I don't buy into all that "no period" hype. I'd feel bloated!

As for weight gain, perhaps a kilo or two. I didn't notice anything significant. It could have just been the noodles!

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

My best friend took it. She said it wasn't bad, but I'm not interested in trying it. I always feel great after my period.

I didn't want to go on birth control in the first place. I took it to regulate my period, and lower my risk of ovarian and cervical cancer. It does raise chances of breast cancer, but that's way easier to spot, therefore treat, early on.

snowysunshine · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

I started taking Mercilon when I first came to Korea in 2000, and haven't had a regular period since. Even when I've gone home, and went off the pill for a while, I still did not have a regular period.

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

Everyone responds to meds differently. I hope your schedule sorts itself out over time. My sister had been taking it already, so we went through the same first month of hell, then after that were fine and dandy.

Feel better!

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:21 pm Post subject:

I just started taking Myvlar (I think that's the name). It has been...unpleasant to say the least. I've heard there's a pill here that's just like orthotricyclen, but I don't know the name of it. Does anyone else know?

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

Triquilar, which is produced by the Schering company, is like Ortho, but it's the high dose. Most people prefer the low dose, so just switch to Mercilon, which is like the mini-pill at home. The first month is annoying, but after that it's great (in my, my sister's, and a few of my friends' experience).

aimeecate · Joined: 03 Sep 2006

Minulet is also a good brand, I believe it is a mini pill. I've been using it for about 3 years now and haven't had any problems. I've been using it continuously so that I only stop every 3 months for the past year and that hasn't been an issue either. They sell it at most pharmacies for about 5500 -6000 won.

sigmundsmith · Joined: 22 Nov 2007

http://www.fpa.org.uk/Information/Readourinformationbooklets/implant

My ex and I opted for this option: contraception implant.

Like most contraceptives and medication people react differently.

If you have the procedure and you feel uncomfortable or your cycle becomes irregular or some side-affects occur then it is easy to have it removed.

My ex had not problem with this. At first it was not necessarily uncomfortable but she noticed it regularly. But after a short time it became out of mind.

It is very small, only 1 inch in length and inserted just below the skin.

There is tonnes of information. I'm not saying take the word for this website. But it is the start for your individual research.

Hope you find the contraception right for you and your partner.

Ruthdes · Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul

I had Implanon (the implant) for about 4 years. I was good for about three then I just started bleeding really randomly. Now I'm on Nuva Ring (which is oestrogen based like the combined pill. It is about 15,000 won a month. I've only had it for just over a month so far, so I can't comment too much, but it's been fine so far.

The minipill is progesterone only I think, which means you have to take it at almost exactly the same time every day for effective contraception. Implanon and the Mireuna IUD work the same way but b/c they are implanted you don't need to remember to take them every day. Mercilon is a combined pill, which has oestrogen AND progesterone (Combined Oral Contraceptive - COC). This means it is NOT the same as the minipill (unless minipill means something different in the US than it does in Australia). COCs are more forgiving about the time of day you take them. Oestrogen prevents ovulation, and clears your skin. Unfortunately it also increases your risk of blood clots which is a particular problem for smokers.

I'd go with Mercilon. It's OTC and if Nuva ring doesn't work out for me that's what I will be switching to. If you want to skip a period just skip the sugar pills and start your next month's dose.

nmh03 · Joined: 11 May 2009 Location: Seoul

A doctor here told me that Triquilar is the same as Orthotricyclen, but if you google it it actually has a different progestin in it. Just something to be aware of if you have side effects with some pills.