Birth Control Pills in Thailand

[nicky123]

hi ladies ..

i have a question ...

my girlfriend got some pills for birth control .. but un fortunately she got pragenent . and we dont want.it ....

any suggetions ..please ???

thanks

[mew13]

I am living in Thailand and have been taking tricilest for about a year now. It is the same as ortho tri cyclin, which I was taking in the US for about 5 years. The company in Thailand has stopped making tricilest and I cannot find another comparable brand. Any suggestions?

[lita8]

Hi, I'm hoping to get some new advice from anyone on switching birth controls. I'm living in Bangkok and they have quite a number of options of birth controls in the pharmacies.

I've been on Loestrin 24 for about a year, and I love it. I need to switch to a new BC since I'm out of my packs I brought with me. Has anyone switched from Loestrin 24 to a brand that has worked for them/hasn't worked for them? I know all the pills effect women differently, but it would still be nice to hear someone's experience. I've taken YAZ before, but didn't work well with me, so I'm weary about switching to ones that I don't know much about. I'm looking at Meliane or Minidoz. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Sheryl]

Unfortunately the exact formulation you are on, 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 1 mg norethindrone) does not exist in Thailand.

Birth control pills contain 2 things: an estrogen (usually ethinyl estradiol) plus a progestin. The estrogen dosages vary widely and as does the specific type (and sometimes, but less often, does) of the progestin, and the progestins differ enormously woman to woman in how they are tolerated. The problems you hacd with Yaz would have been due to the progestin it contains (Drospirenone)

There are several other Thai brands that contain the same type and dose of estrogen as Loestrin, but they all contain a different progestin, either gestodene or desgesterol as follows:

Annylynn, Ciclomex-20, Lyndynette-20, Meliane (gestodene)

Mercilon, Minny, Novynette (desogestrel)

Minidoz is the same as the first group except that it has an even lower estrogen dos, only 15mcg. Unless you are unusually short and thin I do not recommend this as it has a higher failure rate, especially if a dose is missed.

I suggest you try any of the brands in the first group mentioned; if they do not suit, then any of the brands in the second group.

[lita8]

Great, thank you so much!

[Ambrosia]

So I am planning a move to Thailand in Feb. and it seems from reading the thread that there are options for pills, but I use Nuvaring. I really don't trust myself to do the pill-a-day thing and I spent us$500 on an IUD a couple years back for it to be removed after 3 weeks because of severe pain. I would much prefer staying with my current method. Can I find Nuvaring in Thailand? If not, does anyone use it and have suggestions on how to store it?

[Sheryl]

NuvaRing is available in Thailand but (unlike pills, which are OTC) only on prescription and I suspect may prove a little hard to source as it is not widely known here. Suggest you email some of the major hospitals like Bumrungrad to see if their pharmaciues carry it in which case you'd just need to see an Ob-Gyn there.

Alternatively, if you are not going to be in Thailand too long, just bring an extra one or two. In terms of storage:

"NuvaRing® can be stored for up to 4 months at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C

(59-86°F). Avoid storing NuvaRing® in direct sunlight or at temperatures above 30°C (86°F)."

(prescribing info from the manufacturer)

[KatiKati]

Hi everyone,
This thread has been really helpful for others in the past so I'm hoping I can also be helped! (ASAP!)
I currently live in Japan and I am going to Phuket in a week for six days. As the birth control pill is an absolute pain to get here in Japan I've been using the ones I brought with me from my home country. My doctor actually prescribed me two years worth before I came over to Japan. Unfortunately that's going to run out soon and I won't be back home until Christmas.

I'm currently on 'Logynon ED', it has 28 tablets, 6 brown ones with 30 micrograms of ethinyloestradiol and 50 micrograms of levonorgestrel. 5 white ones with 40 micrograms of ethinyloestradiol and 75 micrograms of levonorgestrel. 10 ochre ones with 30 micrograms of ethinyloestradiol and 125 micrograms of levonorgestrel. And 7 placebos.

So, this brings me to my questions (If you can answer any, please do!):

1. If I get the birth control pill from a pharmacy in Phuket, will it be safe? (I've heard that some meds from Thailand are not the real thing)
2. Which do you think I should buy? Are Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Trivora-28 or Triquilar (or any others you know of) good or even available in Phuket? (I saw that these were mentioned earlier in this thread as having the different doses of hormones through the month like mine).
3. If I buy a few packs (maybe a years supply) can I bring them back to Japan OK do you think? I only have a week before I go, so no time to put in a request or something with paperwork unfortunately :S
4. If I buy a similar type with the same active ingredients as mine, but different inactive ingredients as mine, will my body notice?

Sorry for the length of this, but I can't stop thinking about these things! Thank you for any help you could give!!!

[Sheryl]

As long as what you but is triphasic with the same dosage and drugs, you will not notice any difference.

The brand in Thailand that is identical to what you use is called "Trigestrel".

No problem with the safety of it bought in Phuklet or anywhere else in Thailand. Fake meds here are pretty much limited to things like imported Viagra. Locally made drugs aren't counterfeited. But take care to buy from a pharmacy with air conditioning. Usually the BC pills are near the cash register easy to spot so you can point. This particular brand is not so widely used though so may have to try a few places.

Afraid I can't help you re bringing it into Japan as I have no idea what their laws are on this. If you have a copy of presecriotiuon from your home country have that handy, may help.

[KatiKati]

Thank you for your help!

[bencorbo]

Hey everyone, been trying to get some info on a few things regarding birth control. I'm from the UK, and they haven't given me a years supply from my Doctors SO was wondering if there was anything simlair to buy over the counter in Thailand?

They are called "Levest 150/30" and contain Levonorgestrel 150 Micrograms and Ethinylestradiol 30 mg and take 1 daily.

Thanks for the help

[Sheryl]

This is one of the most common BC formulations. Brands in Thailand include:

Anna

Microgynon 30

Microlenyn 30

Oralcon-F

R-Den

Nordette 21

The first 5 all come with 7 days of inert pills or iron pills so that you take a pill everyday without stopping; the Niordette has just 231 days so you stop for 7.

[Sheryl]

An off topic (and dangerously inaccurate) post has been removed. the topic is brands of birth control pills in Thailand i.e. which ones would be the same as various brands in the West. It is not about seeking advice as to type of birth control to use.

[psykins]

Like bjordt I was on LoOvral 30mcg Ethinylestradiol/300mcg Norgestrel. I haven't been able to find that exact formula in Thailand, so I've been trying Microgynon 30mcg Ethinylestradiol/150mcg Levonorgestrel. It was fine during my first month, but for the past two months I have had TERRIBLE bowel and uterine pains during the two days before and first day of my period. I've got to stay on hormonal BC because I have terrible dysmenorrhea. I really loved the NuvaRing when I was on it for a few years, but I'd rather avoid paying for an OB/GYN visit plus whatever exorbitant amount they charge for it here. Any suggestions for other BC brands I might try?

[Sheryl]

What you describe sounds very much like endometriosis and may need more treatment than just BC pills.

As far as the pills go, you could try a progestin only pill of levo 300 mcg e.g. Hyan brand. And if that works well for you and you don't plan on having a child within the next few years, might want to consider implants (Norplant, Jadelle), same drug but more steady blood levels of it.

But frankly I think you should see a doctor speclalizing in endometriosis for proper assessment and management.

[psykins]

Aw, crap. When I first got on BC at age 16 due to period pains they said it wasn't endometriosis...but after reading up on it because of your post I think it might be Does anyone have any suggestions for a doctor to see? I usually go to St. Louis hospital because it's very close to my house, but honestly I don't think going to a Catholic hospital for reproductive health is my best option. I have seen Bumrungrad recommended a lot, but they're so expensive...

[Sheryl]

St Louis would not be a problem for treatment of endometriosis but the challenge ios to find a gyn who specializes in it.

I suggest http://www.phyathai.com/doctorsearchdetail/39759/PYT3/en at Phyathai 2 (much less expensive hosp than Bumrungrad) but only there one evening a week. He is a Professor at a leading medical school and has expertise in endometriosis.

May need a laparoscopy so indeed wise to avoid the more expensive hospitals.

[Anne3Spanish]

Hello!

Another question about finding a Birth Control pill that's similar to the one I'm currently taking.

I take Low-Ogestrel (generic) and it has Norgestrel (0.3mg) and Ethinyl Estradiol (0.03mg).

Could someone please tell me what the comparable pill would be that I'd be able to get in Bangkok or Chiang Mai?

Thanks in advance!

[Sheryl]

You can easily get pills with 0.03 ethyinyl estradiol in Thailand but not with norgestrel.

The closest equivalent for you would be lenonorgestrel 0.15mg + 0.03 Ethinyl Estradiol . Levomnorgetsrel is the active form of norgestrel and has double the potency so 0.15 levonorgestrel is roughly equivalent to 0.30 norgestrel.

Many brands to choose from as this is one of the most common BC formulation in Thailand:

Anna

microgynon-30

microlenyn-30

milly

Nordette-21

Oralcon-F

R-Den

Zarine

These are all the same in terms of active ingrediant, the only difference (besides brand name) is that some of them have 7 placebo tablets (often iron) to take on the off days and some don't.

[Anne3Spanish]

Thank you so much for the help and overview. I've struggled with BC pills and PMDD for years, so I worry even changing them a little bit. I'll have to think this over and talk with my doctor before making a switch.

I appreciate the response!

[Sheryl]

With PMDD you would probably do best using a non-hormonal form of contraception such as IUD and then supplementing with natural progesterone. Low dose SSRI like sertraline (Zoloft) is also very helpful.

Artificial progestins tend to aggravate PMDD. sometimes quite severely.

I suffered from this for years so speak from experience.

[pioneer07]

Don't essentially believe any pills you get in Thailand..

[Sheryl]

There is absolutely no problem with the quality of birth control pills made in Thailand.

Thai made pharmaceuticals in general are reliable. Where one runs into counterfeits is with fake "brand name" drugs popular with tourists e.g. Viagra, Cialis, Xanax.

[Sceptict11]

Don't essentially believe any pills you get in Thailand..

What does this mean ?

[shebear]

Hey everyone,

Yet another birth control question: I used to take a progestin-only birth control pill called norethindrone (aka the "mini-pill) in the States. Is this available here?

If not, I might be desperate enough to try one with a low dose of estrogen. Does anyone know of the lowest estrogen pill available here? Thanks!

Shebear

[Sheryl]

There are progestin-only pills in Thailand but not that specific one, Choices are:

Desogestrel 75 mcg (brand name Cerazette)

lynestrenol 500 mcg (brand names Dailyton, Exluton)

Levonorgesterol 30 mcg (brand name Hyan)

[shebear]

Thanks so much Sheryl! That is very helpful.

[Loyh]

Hi everyone!! And Sheryl the expert in particular

I have a question for Sheryl!

Whenever I am on the pill I gain about 3-4 kilos (water retention probably cause apart from taking the pill nothing else changes - eat same exercise same etc). So anyways, for the past 9 months I have had an IUD and happy with it as I lost 3-4 kilos.

BUT, I have polycystic ovaries so now after a few months without the pill I have started to have zits again. If I have to choose between choosing zits or weight -- I do choose weight. So I am thinking of going back on the pill.

I asked my wonderful gynecologist here what pill he would recommend that would keep my weight down as much as possible and he recommended minidoz.

60mcg Gestodene and 15 mcg Ethinylestradiol.

Before I start taking this -- I wanted to just check on line and found this wonderful thread. So I thought I'd see what you think Sheryl????

MANY Thanks for your great expertise! And sorry for the "superficial" question on weight/acne issues -- but what can we do right? Gotta have some vanity!

best, Loy

[Sheryl]

Hi Loy

You don't mention what your body wt is nor what pills you were on before?

The disadvantage of pills with low estrogen dose is that (1) they may cause spotting between periods and (2) failure rate is higher especially if any dose is missed. 15mcg is very, very low.

Both of these are more a problem in women of larger body weight.

The other issue is that it is not only the estrogen component of pills that can cause water retention, the progestin can also sometimes do this.

The options you have for finding a pill with less weight gain are:

1. try a lower estrogen preparations

2. try a progestin only pill

3. try a different progestin than before, perhaps in combo with #1.

In other words, Minidoz might or might not give you less of a problem in terms of water retention/wt gain.

In your case with PCOS there are additional issues, especially if you hope to have a child later on. Use of synthetic progestins can decrease subsequent success in conceiving among women with PCOS. And some progestins are better than others in controlling PCOS symptoms. Usually drospirenone is recommended as it has good androgen-blocking properties. Low estrogen formulation with that is Yaz, which has 20 mcg estrogen and 30 mcg drospirenone. It is supposedly helpful with acne as well. But of course if this is what you were previously taking and it caused weight gain, then not worth trying again.

Gestodene also has androgen blocking properties though so might work, but I would advise going as low as 15mcg of the estrogen only if unless you are really, really thin and either never forget a pill or are prepared to use alternative contraception for rest of cycle if you do.

Another issue with synthetic progestins is that they can increase risk of diabetes in women with PCOS.

[Loyh]

Dear Sheryl,

Thank you SO very much for this concise and excellent response. I was actually taking Yaz before!

Your recommendations and advice is very helpful so thank you! Now you need to think about opening a practice in Bangkok for all of us to come see you

Best, Loy