PhiMuLady150 I could be wrong, but I think OTC-Low actually helps your complexion stay clear.. at least I think OTC did. Since OTC-low is just a lower dosage of hormones, I don't know if that would do the same?

OTC-Lo hasn't been tested yet to see if it helps the skin, I believe. It did NOT help mine. It's not going to make your skin any worse if you're new to birth control, PhiMuLady150. Mine did get worse when I used it, but it was after I had been on full strength OTC. OTC-lo doesn't work for a lot of people- very common for breakthrough bleeding, etc. which is a pain in the ass. I tried it for several months (had only switched to it b/c it was cheaper after OTC's price went way up) and had problems. So I'm on Trinessa now,w hich is the generic OTC.

But if this is your first time on BC, you definitely need to give it a couple months for your body to adjust. When I first started on BC with OTC my period was really screwed up, but it worked itself out.

Almost no one gains more than 5 lbs when starting BC pills anymore. That's leftover sentiment from decades ago when BC pills contained like 13 times the hormones they do now. You can find more information about that in the informational packet (those come even with the freebies) or on the internet.

And, you can skip your period when you're on the patch, the same way as if you were on a pill -- just put another patch on, instead of going without for the week without your period.


KEEP IN MIND though that you should talk to your doctor about doing this -- obviously there's the medical issues involved, but also, that's an extra 12 patches (4 boxes of prescription) a year that your doctor DIDN'T write you and sometimes your insurance won't cover.

So glad this thread was bumped! :)

I've just recently started the pill (Estrostep). I should have done this a long time ago... but I had a really bad experience with a gynecologist when I was a teenager, so it took me well over ten years and a lot of nagging from my husband before I'd go see one, even to get on the pill.

Three reasons... don't want a baby right now (though if I got pregnant I'd keep the baby)... I get horrible menstrual cramps... and I recently had a big problem with mittelschmerz (pain associated with ovulation) that landed me in the ER.

So far, so good, aside from a month of breakthrough bleeding :( Sex drive has definitely gone up, much to my husband's delight. ;)

I'm due for a follow-up appointment in a month or so, and I'm putting together a list of questions, some based on this thread.

Slight hijack-- although still a form on bc....


for all of you with horrible monthly pain or clotting-- when you decide you are finished having kids and want no more--- don't suffer any longer. Talk to your doctor about endomedtrial abalation. It is the best thing ever!!! There are several forms--- the form I had they use a roller ball and a laser and burn every millimeter of your uterus-- the scar tissue prevents you from forming an endometrial lining each month--- so while it results in being sterile-- no more periods, although you still release an egg every month. It was the BEST thing I did. I had my abalation 2 yrs ago this summer and no period since and no chance of pregnancy!! :)

Wow, that sounds way better than a tubal. Can anyone get it?

Finally! Someone else whose skin just freaked out with OTC! I had heard all this stuff about how it's approved by the FDA to help with breakouts, so I didn't sweat it when my doc prescribed it to me (I think doctors must get some sort of compensation for prescribing OTC, because everyone I know has been on it at some point). Everything was cool for about a year and a half, then holy cow! My skin turned into an oil slick and I had more acne than I ever had in my life, plus, my hair got really greasy. I had that changed real quick! I was on Yasmin for a while, but it made my chest really sore, so sore that I couldn't wear a bra sometimes, so I stopped taking that. My doctor switched me to Estrostep about a year ago, and I'm still on it. So far, so good (knock on wood!)--my skin isn't bad, my boobs aren't sore, and I haven't gotten any horrible side effects other than cramps, but hey, you can't have it all.

I'm on Aleese. Drs have to special order it though. But I love it! I've actually lost a bit of weight... but that also could have happened because I went off of depo and started having my regular cycle back. But it's nice because periods only last about 3 days.

My dr's office had no problems, as long as I was sure I didn't want more kids, I had a tubal with my 2nd son so I was sure Iwas done.

I begged for a hysterectomy (sp?) and the dr kept telling me I was too young-- and then she suggested the Abaltion.

As far as anyone getting it, I think if the "conditions" were right- yes. My insurance paid for 100% of the procedure and it was outpatient surgery. I (thinking I wanted the other surgery) called the dr's office every month to complain about cramping, heavy flow and clotting and asked them to not my chart. I wanted to make sure my symptoms were well documented so the doctor or insurance company wouldn't question the procedure.

It is great!!! There were a few draw backs preparing for the procedure- i will give more details if you would like-- but afterwards is great.

There are several forms-- one is a little balloon filled with hot water basically, that scars the uterus and has the same effecct-- although not nearly as long lasting as the method I had. My neighbor had the balloon method, it cut her periods back to almost spotting--- but I haven't even spotted in almost 2 years. My dr began preforming the procedure 10yrs ago and has patients that have been 10yrs w/o a period.

If you have any questions- let me know.

Both my mom AND stepmom are on the Pill, but I think my mom got her tubes tied so I think she might have gotten off the Pill now, but I still don't think I could even remember to take a pill everyday. I thought about taking Seasonale, but I really don't want to go on anything. I don't have a steady boyfriend (and don't want one either), so I still have to use condoms anyway.

If you can remember to brush your teeth every morning, then you can remember to take the pill every day. (I personally take mine right when I get up-- drink it with a glass of water before hitting the shower.)

It's a good idea to ALSO have him use condoms, of course! :) But I find it worth it to have a backup method just in case...

Dude, chemical sterization is the best option now.

Essure: no cutting, no hormones, no anesthetic.

If you think kids are monsters, or if you already have enough monsters.

If you're interested:Essure

Is it just me or have they stopped selling KY with spermicide in it? I remember buying some with a previous bf, but the bastard kept it after we broke up. My current bf and I want to stop using condoms (I'm on the pill) but still want that "backup" method, for just in case. I can't find it ANYWHERE. Do Pharmacies keep it behind the counter or something for special requests?

You don't need it. The pill works. Ive never got a girl pregnant that was on the pill.

I'd use it. Especially if you're not sure how you'd feel about getting pregnant. Cash is right, the Pill works, but sometimes a girl's brain doesn't :) and she forgets to take it at the right time, or forgets the antibiotic she's taking for strep makes the pill not effective, or......

yeah.