[Lindsey]

I don't know about the difference between American and Canadian brands... but the lowest dose pill (at least at the time) is what I started on, and that was Alesse. Didn't work for me. I was on it for a year but if I was even an hour late taking a pill, I'd start spotting or even get my period as early as the next day! After about a year on that I was switched to Triphasil (I have sometimes been given Triquilar by the pharmacist... they're the exact same) and it's been working great. The best part is that it's made my period only last about 3 days!
The one thing I've found since I've been on birth control pills is that I am SO much more emotional. I never used to cry and now anything makes me cry!