Hi All,

My wife has been off the pill for a year or two and wants to go back on.The problem is that the last time she took it she developed darker skin above her top lip!!!

The brand she was on at that time was called Diane can anyone reccomend a brand that won't have this effect?

thankx in advance for any suggestions

Have the Ms cut a bee-line to the nearest Dermatologist. There are some good ones here in the Kingdom.

skin pigmentation is a common side effect of the pill. Instead of a dermatologist I would recommend a gynaecologist. She or he can recommend a pill that won't have this side effect.

Changes in skin pigmentation in users of BC pills is thought to be due to the estrogen content.

It does unfortunately tend to recur if it has happened once but using a pill wioth a lower estrogen dose, toegther with scrupulous use of sunscreen, may help.

Diane contains 35 mcg of an estrogen, which is comparatively high. Alternative brands that contain only 20 mcg include:

Mercilon (20 mcg)

Lindynette20 (20mcg - do not confuse with Lindynette30!)

Annylynn21 or Annylynn28 (20 mcg) - these are the same, difference is the -28 form

includes placebos to take on the "off days"which aids in remembering

Mercilon 21 or Mercilon 28 (ditto)

Meliane

Yaz

The above are all quite similiar to what your wife took previously except for being lower in dose so she would likely tolerate well. However need to un derstand that with the lower dose pills the risk of pregnancy if a dose is forgotten is much higher than with the medium dose she previously took. Best to use condoms for rest of cycle if a pill is forgotten.

The discoloration is due to a combined effect of the estriogen plu sunlight so a strong sunblock will help.

If despite lower dose and sunblock the discoloration recurs, the other option is to try a progestin only pill (most pills contain a combination of an estrogen and a progestin). Brand names include Exluten and Hylan. These differ significantly from what she has previously taken so no telling if will suit her or not.

Should definitely consult a doctor about advisibility of using pills if she has high blood pressure, smokes, or has a family history of breast cancer.

Changes in skin pigmentation in users of BC pills is thought to be due to the estrogen content.

It does unfortunately tend to recur if it has happened once but using a pill wioth a lower estrogen dose, toegther with scrupulous use of sunscreen, may help.

Diane contains 35 mcg of an estrogen, which is comparatively high. Alternative brands that contain only 20 mcg include:

Mercilon (20 mcg)

Lindynette20 (20mcg - do not confuse with Lindynette30!)

Annylynn21 or Annylynn28 (20 mcg) - these are the same, difference is the -28 form

includes placebos to take on the "off days"which aids in remembering

Mercilon 21 or Mercilon 28 (ditto)

Meliane

Yaz

The above are all quite similiar to what your wife took previously except for being lower in dose so she would likely tolerate well. However need to un derstand that with the lower dose pills the risk of pregnancy if a dose is forgotten is much higher than with the medium dose she previously took. Best to use condoms for rest of cycle if a pill is forgotten.

The discoloration is due to a combined effect of the estriogen plu sunlight so a strong sunblock will help.

If despite lower dose and sunblock the discoloration recurs, the other option is to try a progestin only pill (most pills contain a combination of an estrogen and a progestin). Brand names include Exluten and Hylan. These differ significantly from what she has previously taken so no telling if will suit her or not.

Should definitely consult a doctor about advisibility of using pills if she has high blood pressure, smokes, or has a family history of breast cancer.

Thank you for a very informed and comprehensive answer