Korean Job Discussion Forums

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

Hey, is Dianne 35 available here? Or some other birth control that helps with acne. Is birth control available without a prescription or do I need to go to the doctor?

queenbee · Joined: 21 Jan 2006

You can get Diane 35 here. In fact, there's a super romantic ad (commercial) that screens during primetime for all those lovers out there.
I've never actually done it (bought a big supply with me) but have been told you just rock up to a pharmacy and buy over the counter, no prescription needed.

CabbageTownRoyals · Joined: 14 Sep 2006

Diane 35 is a good pill, but its crazy expensive in Korea. Back home I paid about $3 a month (subsidised by Govt.) but here in korea it is 20 0000won per month!!!! Mind you, that was 2 years ago.

Also, here it is called 'Estelle' isnt it? Or is it the other way around, I can't remember. Anyway, it goes by both names.
Btw, did you know its 3rd generation? I don't think its such a big issue, I mean its benefits outweigh its cons.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

What does 3rd generation mean?

Thanks for the replies. Any current report on prices?

maryb · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:13 pm Post subject:

It depends where you buy them. I used to buy them in Itaewon which was kind of pricey but then I found them in Osan and they were cheaper.

Not all pharmacies carry them. So keep trying. Also they are really cheap in Thailand if you know anyone going there. . . .

jessiaka · Joined: 07 Jan 2006

I pick up my Diane 35 from the pharmacy at E-mart, HomePlus or WalMart for between 11,500 won-12,000 won. CHEAP!

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

You can also get Mercilon here (made in Ireland I believe) for about 6,000 and it's a low-dose pill that is effective with acne (according to the pamphlet and website.)

I haven't used it yet, as I brought about 9 months of Ortho tri-cyclen with me, but I think I'll be trying this one this month.

Julius · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

CabbageTownRoyals · Joined: 14 Sep 2006

Hmmm, after doing some research, this is what I found.....
(It seems Diane35E is now not referred to as a certain 'generation' pill but an anti-androgen pill. I have been told by many doctors that it is one of the worst for bloodclots. In saying that however, it is also considered one of the best for other problems like abnormal ovary cells, hirsutism, acne etc.. And the chances of having a bloodclot are still one in thousands, I think the pros may outweigh the cons, when you consider the deseases this pill can prevent....Just have to weigh it up, everyone is different, differnt pills suit different people...

The older, 'first generation' pills contained relatively high amounts of oestrogen. These are only rarely prescribed nowadays because it's the high dose of oestrogen that has been blamed for increasing the risk of heart and circulation problems. However, they are still valuable for some women for whom other pills are not suitable. The 'second generation' pills have less oestrogen but generally the same types of progestogen as the first generation. They are less likely to cause clots than the first generation. The 'third generation' pills, like the second generation, contain less oestrogen than the first generation but are made with new types of progestogen. These progestogens are now thought to be more likely to cause blood clots than the progestogens in second generation pills.

In sum, its all very confusing....

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

Are there any non-pill hormonal bc methods available in Korea yet? I'm always hopefull and it doesn't hurt to ask...

ticktock · Joined: 14 Apr 2005

Oi Girl, does it have to be from Korea? If you're willing to shop over the net, I think you should check out 'Nuvaring'. You can find loads of information on the net about it so I won't say anymore but it's the kind of thing you just described. I've also heard there are some gyn hospitals like '강남산부인과' that offers the contraceptive injection. But I've only heard about it and not really checked it out myself, so don't take my word for it.

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

I love Nuvaring, but where can I get it from without a prescription?

Loza · Joined: 28 May 2006

Has anyone tried both the pill and the injection (Depo Provera?)? I'm interested in your experiences. Which did you find better?

I've heard there are links between taking the pill and increased depression. I'm currently on Mercilon and looking for alternatives.

Boodleheimer · Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject:

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

[quote="Loza"]Has anyone tried both the pill and the injection (Depo Provera?)? I'm interested in your experiences. Which did you find better?

I've heard there are links between taking the pill and increased depression. I'm currently on Mercilon and looking for alternatives.[/quote]

I"ve used both the pill and the injections over the years. I had headaches with the pill and Depo Provera was the worst thing I could have ever done. I had almost every side effect listed except the ones that kill you.
I've also used the non-hormonal IUD. I loved it.