"i took alesse for a couple of years and liked it so well that i stopped taking oral contraceptives entirely when it went off the market. but for the sake of convenience i wanted to start again, and i assumed that inexpensive aviane, the generic for alesse, would be the same. either it isn&#039;t or my body chemistry has changed. i&#039;ve felt some occasional mood swings, but worse, my periods last for at least a week, and mid-cycle, my breasts are so tender and sore that i can&#039;t stand to go running. i think it&#039;s time to switch."