Female Advice Preferred: Birth Control? What's your oppinion?

[toxxxic21]

Soo...after my boyfriends condom broke during sex we've been talking about birth control...im going to the doctor on monday so i would sorta like to know more about it before i go (i know theres a thread up about it...but...theres a lot to read and im too sleepy and lazy to read it all)...so if youre on birth control...
What is it?
-How much do you like it?
-Side effects?
-Any weight gain? My friend told me that some hormonal ones can make you gain weight and im trying to lose it soooooo.....
-Changes in your period?
-And....i know you should ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS use condoms...but...would you trust your birth control without one? Because my boyfriend is leaving for college in a few months...and i would like to do...stuff...with him without one the last time we have sex before he leaves...(i wont let him...finish...in me)

Thank you guys for taking time to read and reply to this thread!!! it really helps!!!

[Maloo]

There are many different kinds of birth control, and they all have the potential to affect you differently.

I recently just switched back to the pill (I had previously been on the depo shot and the nuva ring). I like my pill, I don't have issues with weight gain, it regulates my period, and doesn't give me bad mood swings like the depo shot did.

But when it comes to side effects, you're most likely going to have to try different kinds of birth control until you find one that works for you.

[toxxxic21]

Originally Posted by Myss

There are many different kinds of birth control, and they all have the potential to affect you differently.

I recently just switched back to the pill (I had previously been on the depo shot and the nuva ring). I like my pill, I don't have issues with weight gain, it regulates my period, and doesn't give me bad mood swings like the depo shot did.

But when it comes to side effects, you're most likely going to have to try different kinds of birth control until you find one that works for you.

theres a problem with trying different ones though...my parents dont (and never will!!) know im sexually active...im going to tell my mom its to help with cramps and help regulate my period (which is true...just now the only reason) im afraid shes just going to tell me no and to deal with it if i keep asking her to help me switch my birth control...

[Maloo]

Originally Posted by toxxxic21

theres a problem with trying different ones though...my parents dont (and never will!!) know im sexually active...im going to tell my mom its to help with cramps and help regulate my period (which is true...just now the only reason) im afraid shes just going to tell me no and to deal with it if i keep asking her to help me switch my birth control...

When it comes to the pill, usually you don't have to try too many times to find one you like. I've only ever taken one kind of birth control pill and I've never had a problem with it. If you're wanting to go on a pill, and you're worried about weight gain, let the doctor know, and ask about ones with low hormone levels.

Being worried about weight gain, do NOT go on the depo shot. I would advise anyone against it, even if they're not concerned about gaining weight.

[toxxxic21]

Originally Posted by Myss

When it comes to the pill, usually you don't have to try too many times to find one you like. I've only ever taken one kind of birth control pill and I've never had a problem with it. If you're wanting to go on a pill, and you're worried about weight gain, let the doctor know, and ask about ones with low hormone levels.

Being worried about weight gain, do NOT go on the depo shot. I would advise anyone against it, even if they're not concerned about gaining weight.

ok i'll keep that in mind especially since im like...really really afraid of needles O.o haha thank you for your input...it really helps

[Maloo]

Originally Posted by toxxxic21

ok i'll keep that in mind expesially since im like...really really afraid of needles O.o haha thank you for your input...it really helps

No problem

Are you any good at remembering to take pills? If not, then you might want to consider something like the NuvaRing.

[toxxxic21]

Originally Posted by Myss

No problem

Are you any good at remembering to take pills? If not, then you might want to consider something like the NuvaRing.

id definitely remember something as important like this...do you have to take them the same time every day though?

[BethanyAnn]

I honestly don't believe in birth control, I don't like how it tampers with the bodies natural courses... Like some people use it for a period and cramps... But your body is suppose to have a period it's not meant to be stopped unless you are having a baby, and birth control gives the body hormones that makes it think it's pregnant and that's just adding more stress and hormones the body doesn't need... Thats my personal opinion and I also believe that if you are having sex you are assuming the responsibilities of having sex you think your old enough and mature enough to have sex then your old enough and mature enough to have a baby... I do not judge people on birth control and I am not anti birth control I just have strong beliefs on it and some birth controls cause more harm and good and most women when they get off they have problems conceiving

[Aletheia*]

Hey hun,
I'm so glad you're considering birth control. You have to understand, there are many different types of birth control and it affects everyone differently.

I'm currently on reclipsen. I've been on 3 different types, only because of what I could and couldn't afford at the time. I was on Ortho-Tricyclen for a year, and then I switched to Yaz, before I started on Reclipsen for health and medical reasons (I smoke, and this helps lessen the chances of blood clots and other side effects).

I was never worried about weight gain, but I never gained any sort of weight on any of the birth control I've been on. I've remained the same weight for the last 5 or 6 years that I've been on the pill. I haven't experienced any side effects either, so I guess I got lucky.

When you go to the doctor, have them explain to you the different kinds of birth control options that are out there. You can get an oral contraceptive, as long as you're responsible enough to remember to take it everyday and yes, it does need to be taken at the same time or around the same time everyday to be effective. There are also inserts, like the IUD or the shot, but I've heard mixed stories about the shot. There are plenty of options for you. Just ask your doctor about them and see what he/she thinks.

[Angel]

Hey. :)

I've got the Paragard, which is an IUD. It's an effortless method of birth control since I don't have to remember to take a pill every day or have any preparations to make before sex. It's a copper device that's inserted into the uterus and can be kept there for ten years, and recent studies even suggest it is effective for up to twelve years. It's completely hormone free and therefore it doesn't come with many of the side effects you see with hormonal contraception. Paragard is known to cause heavier periods and worse menstrual cramps but as always, not all women experience the same side effects. While my period has gotten heavier, it's not that bad at all in terms of cramping. I also experience what I believe to be is spotting on random occasions, but it's not a big deal. It hasn't made my period too irregular but it's not like clockwork compared to what it was like when I was on the pill. As for effectiveness, it's the second most effective method of reversible contraception available today so I trust it to prevent pregnancy.

If you're considering trying out the pill, you should make an effort to take it at the same time every day. Set an alarm on your phone so you don't forget. If you're on a combined pill, it allows for a twelve hour time frame in which you can take the pill. The mini pill, or POP, allows for it to be taken within three hours so you have to be more careful.


I suggest you take a look at the information that's available on Planned Parenthood. There's a little quiz you can take at the bottom to see which method may be right for you.

If you've got any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!

[Beetlejuice]

Would just like to point out that The Pill does NOT make you gain weight, it just increases your appetite which CAN make you can weight. And yes this is true, I was informed of this by my Doctor

[Maloo]

Originally Posted by 愛しています

Would just like to point out that The Pill does NOT make you gain weight, it just increases your appetite which CAN make you can weight. And yes this is true, I was informed of this by my Doctor

People react differently to different pills, so you can't really generalize like that.

OP, yes, you're supposed to take it at the same time every day. I set my alarm for 6am, take my pill, and fall right back asleep. It's what I've found to be easiest for me

[Beetlejuice]

People react differently to different pills, so you can't really generalize like that.

I wasn't generalising, this is what I was told by a trained professional

[roller♥coaster]

I'm about finished with my second month of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and the side effects were awful to start with but have all but gone away at this point. No weight gain here, and my appetite hasn't even changed. My period was perfectly on time last month, and I'm assuming this month will be no different, since hormonal BC regulates the cycle. At this point, I really like my pill and intend to continue to take it, but I cannot comment on its effectiveness at preventing pregnancy aside from what statistics show, since I'm not sexually active myself.

Good luck!

[Maloo]

Originally Posted by 愛しています

I wasn't generalising, this is what I was told by a trained professional

I understand that, I'm just saying that it's a generalized statement, and doesn't hold true for everyone.

[Aletheia*]

Originally Posted by Myss

I understand that, I'm just saying that it's a generalized statement, and doesn't hold true for everyone.

Exactly. My appetite is the same as it's always been and I've been on birth control for about 6 years now, regularly. I didn't gain any weight from either the pill or *triggering* over eating.

[Sincerely Yours ♥]

I'm on the pill. My boyfriend & I used to use condoms, but once I went on the pill, we don't use them anymore (although I do not recommend this; my boyfriend & I are a bit older than you & have already discussed what we'd do if there was a pregnancy).

Besides preventing pregnancy, it also regulates my periods & helps with acne. It's nice to know exactly when I'll be getting my next period.

It used to be a pain in the butt to take it at the same time every day, but now I get daily text reminders at the time I should be taking it & it's a lot easier now.

I didn't gain any weight, but I'm tiny to begin with. My breast size did change though (I went from a 34b to 36b), but I'm not complaining.

I had some major mood swings the first week or two (& my mood doesn't usually change during periods or anything like that), but now I'm fine.

Just be sure your boyfriend can bare with you for those first couple of months.

[Keep Calm and Eat Cake]

i'm on the contraceptive pill, microgynon and have been for six months now. in my experience it has been effective as contraception (i.e. i haven't got pregnant yet!) although i have put weight on (tummy, bum and boobs) although i was a healthy weight to begin and still am so it hasn't bothered me - i like the fact that i've got more on my boobs and bum now!

[Allons-y!]

I'm on Tri-Sprintec, which I understand is also known as Tri-Ortho Cyclen or something when it isn't generic. I have not had any bad side effects. My period is easy to predict and I don't use another form of protection when I have sex. I take it when I wake up; I used to set my alarm and take it at 7 am every day, but now I don't.
And if it matters, IMO you should go on the pill pronto. It's just a good idea.

[LittleMiss]

I'm have the Implanon Implant and I think it's fantastic! You can't forget it and you're covered from pregnancy for three years.

Not without side effects though, my skin is a little worse, I get breakthrough bleeding and I have gained a little weight (but that could also be the fresher 5).

Not everyone gets the same side effects, if any at all so remember that just because one person has them, you might not.


Weight gain when on hormonal contraception is from the hormones making you want to eat more, it happens to some, but not everyone. The same as some people get terrible chocolate cravings before their period or mood swings etc.
If you control your diet, whether you get cravings or not, you shouldn't gain any weight. Nothing can 'make' you gain weight for no reason, it's the food you put in your mouth and the amount of exercise you do that controls it.

But discuss it with your doctor, they can help explain things and go through what's best for you and your lifestyle

[Verità]

Hi there!

I use Junel, aka one form of the pill. I actually like it a lot, the pills are really small and easy to take.

When I first started taking it, I spotted for about a week, but other than that I have had absolutely no harmful side affects so far. And it's helped clear up my acne, which is awesome.

I talked to my doctor about weight gain because I'm also trying to lose weight. The pill does make me hungry about my third week, but if you practice good self control and stick to your regular meal times, there shouldn't be any weight gain. As she put it: "The only ones who gained x pounds on the pill were the ones who ate enough to gain pounds."

I actually went on Junel to help control my period, it's a tiny bit heavier than it was before, but it comes at a normal time now, and it's easily predictable.

I would always use a backup form of protection. There are things you can use besides condoms, like spermicides. But I would be super careful because not everything is 100% guaranteed to prevent pregnancy.

[Revolution]

-How much do you like it?
Love mine.
-Side effects?
I feel a little queasy in the morning if I don't take it with food, but just eat breakfast and you're fine.
-Any weight gain? My friend told me that some hormonal ones can make you gain weight and im trying to lose it soooooo.....
I didn't gain any weight. However, my best friend did. I think it depends on the person.
-Changes in your period?
Makes it more regular and lighter, so these are good changes.
-And....i know you should ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS use condoms...but...would you trust your birth control without one? Because my boyfriend is leaving for college in a few months...and i would like to do...stuff...with him without one the last time we have sex before he leaves...(i wont let him...finish...in me)
I understand your want for this. Birth control is usually about 95% without a condom, 99.9% with one. So...there is a higher chance. I always use a condom with mine because I don't want to become a mother...at all. In addition, you must also take into account STDs, which birth control cannot protect you from, and even if your boyfriend has never had sex with anyone else, can sometimes even be spread through simple bacteria. So...you just have to do a cost benefit analysis, are these risks worth the pleasure for your boyfriend?

[xx little miss clumsy xx]

Hey, I am on the pill (Yasmin at the moment, used to be on Microgynon..I changed to Yasmin a few months ago, Microgynon tended to make me really hormonal and moody and got bad leg pains). I'm primarily on it for my periods but it acts as birth control too so its all good!

I quite like it as it has made such a difference to my periods. They are so much lighter and not as painful. I havent really had any side effects from Yasmin as of yet. Its easy to forget to take it sometimes, but I find if I set an alarm on my phone, it helps.

No weight gain with either pill.

Changes in my period-positive changes-not as heavy or painful, lighter and they only last about 3-4 days now, as opposed to a week.

I'm not sure I would trust the pill alone to stop me from getting pregnant. I prefer to double up and use condoms for my own peace of mind!

[Maloo]

I can't quote long posts on my phone, but I wanted to say that birth control being 95% effective on it's own isn't true. If you take it the way you're supposed to, it's just shy of 100%.

[kadyCHAOS]

99.8% effective with perfect use, means never missing a pill or taking it late.

95% effective with typical use, means taking a pill a couple hours late. or forgetting completley.

thats what my birth control info packet says

[Maloo]

That's what I said - If you take it like you're supposed to, aka never taking it late/early.

[toxxxic21]

I'm at the doctor right now...I'll definitely talk about the pill...but I'm not sure if I'm going to get anything at the moment....I really don't want to ask my mom for it because she doesn't know I'm sexually active....and I don't have acne so I can't use that as an excuse and we talk about cramps and all that and she knows I have them like her (they aren't very bad at all :P )

[crissy97]

i think i would use it if i was you becuase its better then getting prego