BC Pill - Should I? Opinions

Hi everybody,

So after a year of amenorrhea, social isolation and, well, probably depression, I've rejoined the land of the living, have my period back, and -eek- started a new relationship.

it's been a long time. I have an appointment at the birth control clinic this week to *gulp* get started on the pill... probably. 

But I'm afraid. Terrified. I tried the pill a few times during high school (Marvelon and Tricyclon) and it didn't work for me - I bled constantly, was moody/depressed and ultimately felt very out of control with food. I figured I should try it again as I was a lot younger then and perhaps it might work for me this time around n a different pill. 

I know that people say that you don't gain weight from the pill, that it has to do with the hormonal changes that make you crave food... but as someone who tends to respond to the hormones quite strongly, should I expect to gain? Because I don't know how well I would cope with that.

Let's put it this way: I really don't want to go on it again because I feel like I just got my life back together and I don't want it to fall apart. And this last month has actually been pretty difficult and I'm afraid that the pill will kick me when I'm already down. 

That said, I'm sexually active and I don't know if it's right to rely completely on the guy.

Am I being completely irrational? Or am I justified in my caution? All opinions are welcome and appreciated :) Thanks everyone.  

i had the same thoughts when i was deciding if i should go on the pill, i did, and i didnt gain any weight. none of my friends experienced any weight gain either. but if you feel so strongly against it maybe wait a little while till you feel more secure in the relationship [and yourself]? you might be more willing to take the risk of gaining if you feel more comfortable.

and as for relying on the guy, who says you cant be the one to carry condoms? ;D

I think you should get on it. Honestly talk to the doctor about your concerns and he/she should listen and be able to find the right pill for you. Granted you may have to switch a few times to find one that works with your body type but if you are sexually active, go on it. Relying on a condom is like hoping a dam won't break....usually they stay put but every once in awhile a leak springs :) If you got pregnant now, I bet *that* would seriously affect your life! That's how I view it.

I was on Yasmin for a few years, then switched to Yaz. Both are good, Yaz has less hormones but too little for me so I bled all the time. Yasmin is stronger but it took away my sexual desire. But it could be completely opposite for you as every woman reacts differently to the hormones. I'd say though that a monophasic pill - one that gives you the same amount of hormone every day until your off days - would be better than the triphasic - which gives you different amounts of hormones every week. Triphasic I've heard can alter your moods more because of all the amounts of hormones. Monophasic at least gives you the same amount and your body can get used to it. You do however need to give it 3 months to know exactly how your body will adapt before deciding to switch or go off it.

So definitely talk to your doctor about everything, best to be safe!

Never, ever, EVER rely on the guy...or just a condom, for that matter! The failure rate of condoms is 10-15%. Even if you use them perfectly, which in the heat of the moment doesn't always happen, condoms can break. It's best to use a belt and suspenders, so to speak. Talk to your doctor about nonhormonal methods (e.g., diaphragms) if you're worried about weight gain, but birth control across a population does not cause weight gain. And if you're on the pill, if you gain weight you can just go off it.

Just MAKE SURE to take it at the exact same time every day...even a few hours off can affect its effectiveness. This is why I like the Nuva Ring...I don't have to stress about remembering.

Thanks so much for all your replies,

josna: i'm glad to hear you and your friends didn't gain when you went on it. i'd like to wait a while, but i'm not sure if it is an option... i don't know. as for the guy carryin' the condoms, i just feel a bit insecure with 'em, that's all.

karen: being pregnant would be a serious effect. so serious. *shudder* just so not ready yet. thanks for your advice on the hormonal effects/dosages. you've inspired me to look up some on my own and see what i can find out.

emilyd: i've considered the diaphragm, and wanted to go that route but my significant other isn't all too interested in condoms so it kind of defeats the purpose since diaphragms aren't really reliable on their own. did you gain weight on nuva ring?

Original Post by juliadil:

emilyd: i've considered the diaphragm, and wanted to go that route but my significant other isn't all too interested in condoms so it kind of defeats the purpose since diaphragms aren't really reliable on their own. did you gain weight on nuva ring?

No weight gain on the Nuva ring. I also have been on ortho tricyclen lo, and no weight gain there either. I have yet to be convinced that bc causes weight gain as much as people say it does, but that's just me and my skepticism. The people who I've talked to who claim it's their bc also eat a ton of junk food and rarely work out...sometimes I think bc is a scapegoat. Fear of weight gain should definitely not be a reason you don't use any, since pregnancy and STDs are much less reversible than weight gain.

Diaphragms are actually fairly reliable on their own- 86-94% without condoms. IUDs are another nonhormonal option, but you're probably not a candidate.

Why isn't he interested in condoms?!?! He should be interested in not getting you pregnant or giving you STDs...not to mention most honest guys will say wearing a condom does not significantly changes how sex feels. It's all in their head- no pun intended. He won't have to deal with the negative consequences of not wearing condoms, but you will.

Juliadil it sounds like you may want to wait until you are more secure with what you want to do, and speak with you doctor. The hormonal changes starting the pill sound like they affected you in the past, and may still do the same. You need to be confident in your decision because it is very unhealthy for your reproductive system to start and stop hormone therapy in short periods of time. If you decide to start ANY birth control pill you need to be sure it can be a long term commitment you want to make. I understand that after starting you may react to them and need to stop, but you should have the mind set that you will be on them for at least a year or more before you start. They are not a quick fix, you have experienced first hand how they affect our bodies.

I am currently on Ortho Tri-Cyclen and have been for years, but that is what works for me. I do agree with Karenl81 that if you do decide to start a pill a monophasic one will have less of a "yo-yo" affect with you moods.

Good luck!

Hi Julia, Im glad that you are feeling better than you have for the last year.  it is very important to use protection when you have a sexual partner.  Of course whether your relationship is monogamous and you believe it makes a big difference.  Also, if you are going to go on the pill and stop using condoms then both you and your partner should go get tested for STD's before you do.  I have plenty of guy friends that are great in a relationship, but absolutely disgusting pigs when they're single.  I take orthotricyclen (well, actually a generic for it) and have for years.  ive never had any problems with it or weight gain.  it also does really help my skin.  Two months I couldnt get any pills I used my friend's ortho-tri-cyclen lo.  I gained weight on that immediately without changing any of my other behaviors.  it was def. that pill.  So I went back to the regular as soon as possible!  Some of the generics Ive gotten from Wal-Mart I felt were not as good at clearing my skin, but had no other problems from them.  The generic Im on now from wal-mart is good and it seems they've finally settled on that one instead of switching every couple of months like they used to.  Either way,  it seems to me that if you aren't comfortable carrying condoms then maybe you shouldnt be having sex at all.  It's one thing to be uncomfortable going into the store and buying them, but just carrying them in your purse shouldn't be an issue.  You should be comfortable with yourself and all aspects of sex before you do it. 

wow, you guys are very informative. 

i agree with what you are saying re: condoms. i really don't get it and i think a talk about it is definitely in order. i know that before we don't use them i'm going to insist that he is checked for STDs. since i was checked over the summer, i feel like i've done my part in that area. 

csberier: i'd never thought that the "start-and-stop" would be detrimental but now that i think about it, you're totally right. eek.

Ims: i don't have issues buying condoms. it's him. he has issues using them. i don't know, i'm fed up with my own thoughts about it. 

i appreciate all your input. i suppose the real issue is that i don't want to use hormonal methods of contraception and i feel like there's not any other choice, given the circumstances. but that's not true. no exactly. i have a feeling this might be one of those times where i'm "people-pleasing" and neglecting myself... *sigh*

i swear by the pill.  i used to be unregular and i LOVE knowing when «it's» coming.  i also like knowing that should the condom break, at least i won't be preggers (although if it does and you'Re not with a serisou partner, get checjed out for the other stuff, just in case).  my experience though has been that if i tell a guy i'm dating i'm on the pill he'll get annoyed that we have to use condoms.  keep insisting, since they protect from STDs