They both contain a synthetic form of progesterone and a synthetic form of estrogen. They're not really really different, but have slightly different effects on people. They're also both low doses, which is a good thing. It usually means less side effects. They should also both lessen your period, much like yaz did.

The placebo pills in Loestrin 24 fe have iron in them to up your iron levels when you're on your period.

You can really just choose. If I were you I'd call my local pharmacist and see which is cheaper, or which has a generic version that you can take instead. I'm on loestrin, but I get the generic version Junel which is really cheap.

I took ortho lo and had major emotional side effects. My doctor switched me to Loestrin 24fe and I have been great! My periods are much shorter and I have even less pms then before birth control.

Every BCP is different for every woman. Finding one that works for you can be more trial and error than anything else. Hope everything goes well!

Thank you very much for your input that made it easier to decide. I am going to try the Loestrin 24 Fe. Hopefully I won't have much break thru bleeding, I know that can happen when switching BCP's. I also like that there are 24 active pills instead of 21 - anything that helps shorten a period right! My biggest thing is I hope my skin finally clears up - I'm 28 I should NOT be having breakouts! Ugh! Thanks again y'all

Adrienne

Hi- I was on Othrotricyclen lo for about 2 years, got off it and went to Loestrin and then back on Orthro- now it isn't recommended to switch pill like that.. but I can tell you the major difference between the two (for me):

As soon as I stopped taking Othro I was a lot happier, less depressed and overall in a good mood. PReviously I was sad and depressed, anything would tick me off and practically pushed my boyfriend away. I got back on Othro because it was cheaper, and all the old symptoms came back. I was very irritable, constantly tired, my breasts were swollen and hurting, I was having extreme mood swings. I am going back to Loestrin and not looking back. Although every pill is different really do your research, it does make or break some aspects of your life.

i took loestrin for a few months, and did not notice any HUGE side effects.
Just recently I switched to Ortho, and I like it much better than loestrin and lybrel (which is what I was just on).
Ortho seems to have cleared up my skin much better than either. So far, I like it, but overall, I'd say the two were about equal.

Like cgr1984 said, I was on Ortho for 3 months. I had THE WORST mood swings I have ever had in my life. I used to be happy and outgoing, always active, but since I went on Ortho I have been a lazy bum, all I want to do is sleep, and I have pushed away everyone I love. I literally just went to the gyno today and she prescribed Loestrin 24 for me and I really hope it will be better than Ortho. Other side effects I had with Ortho was sharp pains in my stomach, nausea, real bad migranes, and issues with my contacts. I dont know how Loestrin will be, but I REALLY hope it is better than Orhto- it cant be much worse.

I took ortho cyclen for almost 8 years with no problems. I'm not a moody person and have never had a problem with acne, at all! Since getting on Loestrin 24, I have disgusting jawline acne, am constantly exhausted, headaches & crampy. Can't help but think it's the switch! After having my kids, it's just the script my doc wrote for me & I didn't even think it mattered. After researching, many others reported the same. Who knows?!? But, I am considering going back to OTC!

One thing you should know about Loestrin 24fe is that is has androgenic hormones in it which cause acne. I didn't give Loestrin enough time to work for me so I don't know what kind of side effects it causes past 3 months, I do know that I had IB for the first 3 months but after 3 months it was starting to go away...However, I had already been given my new pill so I couldn't continue with Loestrin, I may go back to it however because I did really like it.

im on loestrin24 now and have been for 3 months and i definetly have noticed a HUGE mood change. i thought it was getting better but they just came back. i hate myself and i get extremely upset of everything. i thought i was just stressed and going crazy but now im realzing that its this crap. i also get cramps all the time. randomly. and i feel bloated. im switching to otc lo in a few days so i hope it works better.

I, too, just finished my 3rd month on LoEstrin24, and am going to try one more before giving up. I've always been slender, but have gained wait & now have an absolutely uncontrollable appetite & NO energy, also; salt craving, and gas, both of which I've never had before, and dryness. I'm 32, so the weight-gain at this point is especially unwelcome... I didn't have to deal with it in my teens, and I really don't like having to feel the instability/out of shape/feeling drained now. I hate that there's such a mystery to finding which pill will work for you (when we have to pay so much for medical care, you'd think it would be more precise than "Hmmm, how about this one." Anyway, in case it's not working, just wanted to let you know some of the side effects that happened to me. And if you search online for "Loestrin problem", you'll find comments from other women who've had problems, too. But it does seem to work really well for a few.