birth ControL...benefits? drawbacks?

[JustDoll]

... i have a question for the experienced women on TFP..
I was just wondering, cuz i was talking to my girlfriend the other day, and she told me how she started taking the pill right now..and how its awesome, (besides the fact that it controls Birth) it makes ur boobs bigger, and ur bust larger and.. changes ur hormones somehow (somewhere along those lines)..giving u an accurate period everytime..
I'm planning on take the pill myself too, but im afraid of the drawbacks... what are the drawbacks? What drawbacks have you experienced with taking the pill in the past or now? And what are the other benefits it has besides the ones i mentioned above.....
HelPp...

ThankSs !!

[anti fishstick]

drawbacks: I think I read somewhere that it reduces B vitamins in your body, which is GOOD for you (and I think good for stabilizing your moods.. no wonder I'm so moody..). It may not work as effectively for women who smoke and/or are obese. I think i've heard that it decreases libido? But I'm not sure if that's true, and certainly untrue for myself!

benefits: helps your skin and reduces acne. decreases risks of ovarian cancer.

That's about all I know before I have to look things up. :P

[Lucky Girl]

With every women birth control is different. Look at all the options and talk to your doctor about which one is right for you.

I have been on the pill (maintained weight and no problems) switched to the depo shot (gained 30 pounds and had a light period for 6 months off and on) switched back to the pill. I switched to the patch, since you have to remember to take the pill everyday at the same time (I wasn't very good at remembering). I have been on the patch over a year and I love it. You change it once a week and it stays on.

For me I have never had hormonal issues with birth control, but some women do. My suggestion talk to your doctor and then figure out what you want.

[Sage]

Talk to your doctor. I'm assuming that you're a young woman who is interested in taking charge of your sexual health- good for you! First off, ASK A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS about BC when you go talk to your doctor. What will the side effects be? How strong is the hormone and how does it affect me? What happens if I take a pill late/early? What happens if I forget to take a pill? What are the warning signs of having a reaction to the birth control?

Also, check out this site:The National Women's Health Information Center. It has lots and lots of side-by-side info on a lot of different birth control methods.

As for side effects, they can range from none to a lot. My personal expierence with hormonal birth control was a very bad one. I was allergic to some kinds, and took Ortho Tri-Cyclen for a while, which I think I was OK on (I can't comment on the mood swings during the time because of other factors in my life). When Martel and I got married, I went on the Nuvra Ring, and got TERRIBLE mood swings, absloutely NO libido, and was generally an emotional wreck the entire time I was on it. As soon as I went off of it, I felt better, and eventually I got an IUD, which was the best decision EVER.

Bottom line- this is YOUR body, this is YOUR sexuality, you need to step up and take responsibility in educating yourself about all the different options that are avaliable to you. If you start taking one birth control, and don't like it, go back to the doctor and get put on another kind. Every woman is different, and every woman will react differently to birth control.

Also, I Highly Highly recommend The Guide to Getting it ON! by Paul Joannides. It's a human sexuality book that deals with just about every part of having sex there is, and is full of accurate, detailed information that I found absloutely INVALUABLE when I was educating myself about sex. There's a lot of colleges that use it as a textbook in Human Sexuality courses.

[Lead543]

I'll give you my personal knowledge

Benefits
-regulation
-lighter periods
-no babies
-reduced headaches
-reduced moodswings
-weight loss

drawbacks:
-i've expeirenced none really
-weight gain, headaches, breast tenderness, spotting are common ones though

You may have to go through several brands of bc in order to find the right one. I was on alesse but expeirenced spotting so I'm now on Triphasil and have been for the past 3 years.

[eMOTIONal20]

YOUR BOOBS GET BIGGER??

Hmmm... I think you've been mis-informed. My doctor never told me fo such a side effect, and if she had, I would have probably reconsidered getting on birth control.

My first experience with birth control was horrible. A couple weeks into it I woke up one morning around 3:00am puking and having diarrhea. It was very unpleasant. I then woke up every hour after that doing the same thing, so I stopped taking them.

Now, I decided to be brave again and try a different brand for the sake of my sex life with my SO. I use Mircette now... work just fine. I haven't noticed any weight gain or weight loss, but I could be wrong. The only side effects I really have are breast tenderness (been going on for about a month), and a little bit of acne showed up, but as long as I keep washing my face, it doesn't turn into a big problem.

My gains of BC: Better sex life, regulation of my period, less cramps during my period, and of course no babies.

I recommend just talking to your doctor about the different kinds and what the different levels of hormones could do to you. It also depends on your medical history. A doctor would probably be better suited for such questions.

[ontheroad]

i went crazy every time that i have been on the pill. i mean crazy as in extreme emotional psycotic. basically, being on the pill was like having terrible PMS for me everyday. crying over nothing, bitching at those that were just being friendly, feeling depression and anxiety...

then a friend of mine told me that being on the pill messed with her hormones also and that i should go off for a while to see if that was the problem. 'twas. i am sure that other pills that are avaible might do me better, bot for now i will stick to other options. oh yeah..they did make my boobs bigger too hehe

i have tried
-orthotricyclene (sp?)
-Alesse
(both lowest dose (then) available

[Apache]

Well to bad for me they didn't work
I had just about all the side affects of taking them.
I did have lighter periods and yes my boobs did get A LOT bigger(a whole cup size) BUT you COULD NOT touch them. They stayed so sore the whole time I was on the pill.
I also gained soooo much weight while on them. I started taking them in Jan. and by that summer I couldn't fit into my shorts from the year before and by that winter I had gone from a size 7 to about an 11.
BUT THE WORST PART WAS MY LOSE OF MY SEX DRIVE!!!!!!!!!! After that my husband and I both agreed I needed to do something else.
I told my doctor about it and he tried me on a different type of pill, said it wasn't as strong or something as the first ones I was on, but they didn't work either.
I know they work for some people just not me. And i hope if you do take them that you don't experience the horror that I did.

[hunnychile]

I NEVER experienced lose of sex drive (I love sex!!)...and had big boobs from the age of 13. It did make me far too emotional however, and I have never been able to get pregnant after 10 years of use. Hopefully, this truthful input helps any lady in question.

[Lucky Girl]

Hunnychile, can you explain this sentence for me...... I have never been able to get pregnant after 10 years of use. Meaning you were on them for 10 years and didn't get pregnant or you used them and then stopped and still have gotten pregnant. Just wondering, I have been on some form of birth control for 8-9 years. So I was wondering when I decide to stop, does it take a while to get pregnant? Thanks

[JustDoll]

Originally Posted by Apache

Well to bad for me they didn't work
I had just about all the side affects of taking them.
I did have lighter periods and yes my boobs did get A LOT bigger(a whole cup size) BUT you COULD NOT touch them. They stayed so sore the whole time I was on the pill.
I also gained soooo much weight while on them. I started taking them in Jan. and by that summer I couldn't fit into my shorts from the year before and by that winter I had gone from a size 7 to about an 11.
.

Yikes, the weight-gain is to that kind of extreme?....but was there a change in diet..anywhere in between?.. Or was it just..all of a sudden, you got gained pounds on everything you swallowed?..
That sounds bad..
And out of curiousity, did your boobs shrink back to what it was before? or stayed after you got off the pill? haha..just curious..

SiGhz..i dunoo, it seems that many of you had a very bad experience with the pill.... but it seem like its such a good option, at least as a backup....if anything happens...
Still deciding...... what to do wat to do.......

[eMOTIONal20]

Originally Posted by Apache

Well to bad for me they didn't work
I had just about all the side affects of taking them.
I did have lighter periods and yes my boobs did get A LOT bigger(a whole cup size) BUT you COULD NOT touch them. They stayed so sore the whole time I was on the pill.
I also gained soooo much weight while on them. I started taking them in Jan. and by that summer I couldn't fit into my shorts from the year before and by that winter I had gone from a size 7 to about an 11.
BUT THE WORST PART WAS MY LOSE OF MY SEX DRIVE!!!!!!!!!! After that my husband and I both agreed I needed to do something else.
I told my doctor about it and he tried me on a different type of pill, said it wasn't as strong or something as the first ones I was on, but they didn't work either.
I know they work for some people just not me. And i hope if you do take them that you don't experience the horror that I did.

Oh my... sorry to hear... does not sound like fun. Maybe the patch would have worked better??

I can't imagine losing my sex drive.... *shudders*

edit after seeing last post

Yikes, the weight-gain is to that kind of extreme?....but was there a change in diet..anywhere in between?.. Or was it just..all of a sudden, you got gained pounds on everything you swallowed?..
That sounds bad..
And out of curiousity, did your boobs shrink back to what it was before? or stayed after you got off the pill? haha..just curious..
SiGhz..i dunoo, it seems that many of you had a very bad experience with the pill.... but it seem like its such a good option, at least as a backup....if anything happens...
Still deciding...... what to do wat to do.......

I recommend going to a doctor and telling her/him about your concerns and then just trying something to see how it goes. If you have some side effects that make you too uncomfortable, or ones you simply don't want, then you can always switch to another pill or try the patch or something... or just forget the whole deal. Risk vs. Reward I suppose.

[Biscuit Buns]

BC wrecked me mentally and physically. Finally, after having my first child, my hormones seem to be spot on again (I haven't been on BC for about 4 years now and my child is 2). Everyone is so vastly different, but for me, BC pills are not an option. Lots of weight gain, horrible depression and anxiety, body fluids dried up (eyes, vaginal, cotton-mouth constantly).

If you're going to go on BC, please do talk to a doctor about this and really explain your true reasons for wanting to use it. There are different types of BC and one will be more suitable for your needs than others.

All the best,
Steph

[Squishor]

Being on the pill was a real drag for me. I gained weight, went crazy (like bad PMS) and my vaginal fluids dried up. After going off the pill, three years later my periods are still not normal and the extra weight is really hard to lose. My breasts didn't get bigger, either. I think our bodies run better without infusing them with a bunch of artificial hormones but that's just my opinion.

[Sage]

Squishor, you speak truth! Extra hormones cannot be good!

It's always amazing to hear how many women are like "God, I was such a psycho on the pill and I didn't even know that's what my problem was!!" Martel and I are looking towards starting a non-profit to educate women about the bad side effects of hormonal birth control- not to say they shouldn't take it, mind you, but it just put the word out on the steet that "been feeling like a psycho for no particular reason? Did it start right around the time you began taking hormonal birth control?"

Huzzah and Hooray for the IUD!!

[Munchkin]

I gained 44 pounds in 9 months after being on Ortho Tricyclen Low. I did not have a change in my diet or exercise. I had the Mirena IUD inserted 3 days ago and have just read about women who have had tremendous weight gain with it. Kinda nervous about the IUD now as I am already in my "fat clothes"! Fortunately, I have not experienced any of the other complications that these ladies talked about after having it inserted (ie excessive bleeding after insertion, cramping, etc). My gyn said that the pill does not make you gain weight, but that the hormone that is used in the pill makes you feel hungry, therefore you eat. She also stated that while the Mirena does use the same hormone as the pill, it uses less. I am curious to see how my body responds to the IUD.

[Lead543]

Originally Posted by JustDoll

SiGhz..i dunoo, it seems that many of you had a very bad experience with the pill.... but it seem like its such a good option, at least as a backup....if anything happens...
Still deciding...... what to do wat to do.......

You won't know how it'll affect you until you try it. I find I have negative side effects from being off it. I've been off it for about 2 weeks and I find I'm very moody (mind you that just might be stress).

If you decide to start it take it consistantly. A lot of girls I know would take it at all different times, miss the pills and then end up all out of wack.

I still get psycho before my period, I still get cramps. The difference is I'm not psycho as in, hurting myself and other people and I can still walk with these cramps.

If it doesn't work for you then talk to your doctor about other options, it sounds as though you're looking for a second method of conterception, there's lots of options out there, don't be afraid to try them.

[anti fishstick]

Originally Posted by Sage

Also, I Highly Highly recommend The Guide to Getting it ON! by Paul Joannides. It's a human sexuality book that deals with just about every part of having sex there is, and is full of accurate, detailed information that I found absloutely INVALUABLE when I was educating myself about sex. There's a lot of colleges that use it as a textbook in Human Sexuality courses.

Thanks for the book recommendation, Sage. Definitely would like to check it out. Especially since college courses use it! Sounds interesting.

[Sugar&Spice]

I have been on the pill for 4 years and I have had very few problems. Could be because I always had irregular periods and horrible cramps when I wasn't on the pill. No more cramps and I know exactly when I am going to get my period.

I notice my boobs seem fuller but not another cup size. I don't think I have gained any weight as a consequence of being on the pill..just haven't been exercising as much as I used to. I was never an emotional mood swing type person when I was off the pill and I am glad to say I have stayed that way.

[JustDoll]

Originally Posted by Lead543

You won't know how it'll affect you until you try it. I find I have negative side effects from being off it. I've been off it for about 2 weeks and I find I'm very moody (mind you that just might be stress).

If you decide to start it take it consistantly. A lot of girls I know would take it at all different times, miss the pills and then end up all out of wack.

I still get psycho before my period, I still get cramps. The difference is I'm not psycho as in, hurting myself and other people and I can still walk with these cramps.

If it doesn't work for you then talk to your doctor about other options, it sounds as though you're looking for a second method of conterception, there's lots of options out there, don't be afraid to try them.

Thanks for the input!!!! Greatly appreciate all of you!!..
Althought im still deciding on what i shud do....
and well, its true that im lookin for another method of contraception....well not another one, but just one that gives me double the protection...cuz.. to be honest, i've been very very tensed lately..cuz i mite be pregnant, althought i've only experienced one out of ten of the "early signs of pregnancy" list ..cuz my period isn't here yet, and im a few days late...althought my period isn't always accurate, but just that this time, there isn't just one reason for it (e.g stress-related) but i'm afraid i mite be preg-ed....:/ ..
I've been looking up abortion clinics around my neighbourhood already... :/ siGhz.. im not scared of the process of abortion....but i can't get pass my moral conscience, i feel the guilt and everything...-___- i hate the feeling of looking it up....if you understand what i mean... >.< siGhz.
So, now..im just waiting..somewhat patiently... *SIGHZ*

[Sage]

Alright, look. If you're this worried about being pregnant, you might should re-think the having sex thing anyway. Plus, you're "a few days late" plus "been very tense lately" plus "(your) period isn't always accurate." Chances are, you're not pregnant unless you went out and had sex with no protection, and even then there's a slim chance you're pregnant.

Don't jump to conclusions. GO GET A PREGNANCY TEST!!! If you're still in doubt, go see a doctor! And if you're this freaked out about being pregnant, don't have sex until you feel like you can handle EVERYTHING that having sex means- possibly getting pregnant, getting an STD, getting AIDS, etc. The biggest misteak I made in my whole life was having sex before I was ready. Even when I thought I was ready, I wasn't, because every single month the entire time I was in that relationship (1 year) I was absloutely FREAKING over possibily being pregnant. Now, me and Martel know that if I somehow (and it would take a miracle) got pregnant, we'd both be level headed and calm enough to deal with it.

And again, please please look into getting that book I recommended- if you're young and inexpierenced (and no offense, but it sounds like you are) you need to educate yourself about what it really means to have sex!

Also, I Highly Highly recommend The Guide to Getting it ON! by Paul Joannides

[snowy]

Sage, I think you bring up some very good points. I know before I started having sex me, myself, and I had a long chat about what would happen were I to get pregnant--and though the situation changes slightly with every partner a woman must realize that pregnancy and STDs are the consequences of sex--REGARDLESS if it is protected or not. We also had a long discussion about STDs before I engaged in intercourse.

Thus, unless with a trusted partner, a woman should ALWAYS use at LEAST two methods--preferably a barrier method and a hormonal method (though an IUD can be used in place of a hormonal method). Pulling out is not a method. The rhythm method is also questionable at best. Both put you at risk for pregnancy and STDs.

If you're freaking out about the possibility of being pregnant, you either need to SERIOUSLY reevaluate your birth control plans or your sexual situation. Sexual maturity is reflected in the ability to utilise birth control to its full effectiveness. However, accidents do happen and one must always be prepared to face the consequences--whatever they may be.

I have to say there are a LOT of reasons why a period can be late--1) it was irregular to begin with, 2) stress, 3) weight change, 4) change in activity level, 5) change in hormonal birth control, etc. Stress is a major factor in a woman's cycle; your cycle will reflect any stress in your life--which is why I heartily recommend getting a pregnancy test. Knowing you're NOT pregnant is a huge stress reliever and will frequently bring on your period. That reason alone is not worth freaking out over...otherwise I would've lost my mind by now. But the fact is you need to be absolutely prepared for the consequences--otherwise you're not ready for sex.

[Spiffgirl]

Originally Posted by Sage

Also, I Highly Highly recommend The Guide to Getting it ON! by Paul Joannides. It's a human sexuality book that deals with just about every part of having sex there is, and is full of accurate, detailed information that I found absloutely INVALUABLE when I was educating myself about sex. There's a lot of colleges that use it as a textbook in Human Sexuality courses.

That book is freaking awesome!!! Not only is it very informative, it's also fun to read and has lots of cool illustrations. My hubby and I have started the tradition of giving "The Guide" as a wedding present.

On the topic of birth control...I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who's had all kinds of problems with hormonal methods. Here are some of my major side-effects:

The Pill (Ortho-Tri-Cyclen, then Alesse)
-Yeast infections always
-Sores in my mouth (they stopped immediately when I quit the pill)
-Moodiness
-No sex drive

The Patch (been using for 3 weeks)
-Nausea
-Tender Breasts
-Nipples always erect
-Moodiness

I'm not totally happy with The Patch, but I'm gonna stick it out and see if it gets any better. Has anyone on the Patch had these side effects, and do they ever ease up?

[vic28]

I've had a couple friends who recently had children, who had gotten pregnant while on the pill. It's great that we have so many different forms of birth control to choose from, but the thing that made me rule out the pill for myself is that there's so much room for human error--everyday! I like the shot cause I only have to think about it every 3 months.

[JustDoll]

Originally Posted by vic28

I like the shot cause I only have to think about it every 3 months.

What shot?...

[JustDoll]

Thx Sage, Onesnowyowl, and others..
i think i know what to do from now on
a good lesson learned.. -__-'

Muahz..love you guys.

[diddagirl]

The side effects from the pill will be different on everyone, and can also depend on what pill you are taking. Some of my friends experienced singnificant weight gain in a very short period of time when they were on the pill. For myself, it did help my cramps and also helped with period breakouts. I also do believe it has stirred up and disturbed my hormones to a certain degree. Since I began taking the pill, i find myself edgier, more emotional and just plain bitchier. I also have some friends who have experienced similiar things and havent quite felt "themselves" on it. It's all about trying to find the right pill for you.

[Druidess]

The pill is both a wonderful thing and a horrible thing... It makes your body think it's pregnant... so I tend to feel sick at times... But the other benefits really are amazing.