I've been thinking of going on the pill and need some advice before I make that decision. First of all, how does one go about doing this, because all my bf and I have used before are condoms, so I'm kinda in the dark about this kind of stuff. Do I just go to a doctor and ask them for it? I'm also interested in knowing what kind of side effects birth control can have. I've heard that it can cause a girl to gain weight, but is that only because it makes you more hungry and you eat more, or do the actual chemicals trigger something in you that increases weight gain? Also, how effective is birth control/the pill? If I go on it, we don't want to be using condoms anymore, so it has to be very effective, of course. Also, what are side effects of going off the pill? Thanks in advance to anyone who responds. Any other things you can think of to tell me would be greatly appreciated. I need all the info I can get. Thanks!
Just tell your doctor your interested in going on the pill and he'll either set you up with an OBGYN or perscribe them to you. I've never had any problems being on the pill, it actually caused me to lose some wieght, but everyones body is different. The pill is 99.9% effective so that pretty much means taking properly you won't have to worry about babies. There are side effects such as blood clot, or heart disease, but very rare and these ricks will increase if you are a smoker over the age of 35. ( I'm quoteing commercials now) If you are healthy you really don't have to worry about these side effects. After going off the pill the main problem is that it can take you up to a year to become pregnant. Other than that I haven't really heard of any side effects coming off of it. The pill is a really good form of birth control. I take Ortho Tri-cyclyn and it even has cleared up my skin. Plus it makes your periods regular. I love knowing exactly what day I'm getting my period. I do not recomend the shot however. Which is a shot you can get every 3 months. Alot of my friends did that. One bleeds for weeks at a time. The other never got her period and gained alot of wieght, and the other became pregnant and lost the baby after it was born because she kept getting the shot up until her 5 months of pregnancy because she didn't think she was pregnant. None of them get it anymore. I also wouldn't recomend the patch simply because it hasn't been on the market that long and I don't know much about it. I also don't think women have been using it long enough to know any long term side effects from it. I hope that helps you out, Goodluck hun
My biggest problem with the pill when I was on it (and will be again, but a different brand that doesn't have this problem as bad apprently) is yeast infections! I had like 4 in 6 months one time, and believe me it wasn't due to any hygeine/sweaty stuff, it was from the pill. Ick, that wasn't any fun. But my doctor gave me a prescription for a different brand, which I haven't tried yet (waiting for ze period) The shot, well, some people react really well and others don't. In fact, a lot don't. My only problem with it was weight gain. You have to take a calcium supplement with it too, because it can damage your bones. I'd start on the pill before you worried about the shot. The patch is, from what I've heard, essentially the pill only in once-a-week method instead of once a day. My concerns would be it falling off, or if you ahve sensitive skin, damaging that. Talk to your doctor, and probably start on the pills. They're basic enough that they're simple to take and there's a lot of info on 'em if something goes wrong, plus a bunch of brand-names that you can switch to if you're having problems with 'em. I've heard yasmin often makes breasts grow, tricyclen gave me yeast infections, but I haven't heard much else for brand name stuffs.
You girls are so awesome...thanks so much for all that information! So, as long as I take it every day, it's as effective as a condom? I know so many couples where the woman is on the pill and they still use a condom (I guess for double the protection), so that got me worried that it wasn't as effective as I thought it was. But thanks so much for the info. As far as side effects, I don't want to become pregnant, so that's fine that it'd be hard after I'm off it...haha. I also have really messed up periods where sometimes I don't get it for 8-11 months, so if the pill will make it regular, that would be awesome as well. Happyhippiegrl...so you recommend Ortho Tri-cyclyn? Ihmurria...Tri-cyclyn gave you yeast infections? Uh-oh...lol. Have you had any problems with yeast infections, happyhippiegrl? Again, thank you so much, girls...you really helped me out a lot. I feel a lot less stressed about it now. Any other info is appreciated and welcome
the pill is ALMOST as effective as a condom for pregnancy. I think it's like 98% instead of 99%. It doesn't protect at all against STD's though, so make sure both you and your partner are checked before you go condomless. and yeah, tricyclen wasn't good for me, but I had a couple friends on it who didn't have any problems (though I havent' talked to them specifically about yeast infections, they didn't mention any side affects). Talk to your doctor about which brand they'd recommend the most... some brands are better for a specific person than others.
Well, my boyfriend and I were each other's firsts, and we have been having sex for about 2 and 1/2 years now, so the whole STD thing isn't an issue, and I know it wouldn't protect against that anyway. But thanks for the head's up. I'll ask my doctor which brand would be good. Thanks a lot for your help...it's so appreciated
You're welcome. I haven't had any problems with yeast infections. Is that the brand you were using Ihmurria?
