I think he read something about people using it have a higher risk for cancer. I didnt read the info, so I don't know exactly what it said. I wasn't really worried, but I told him I'd give it a try.

Re: Girls' Friends & The Pill
 

Jeebus, everything gives you cancer nowadays!!!

I have some cramping during the first day of my period, but nothing at all after that. I usually work out extra hard and it either makes the pain go away or takes my mind off of it.

I have never heard of eating chocolate during the cycle. I probably wouldn't try it though because my skin gets really oily right before the period, so if I am not constantly drinking water I break out.

lol no kidding!

just to be a nerd, i took out the 'Patient package insert' to read on this, and while pills could have possible side effects, the risk for them raise considerably if you smoke, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, have or have had clotting disorders, heart attacks, strokes, angina petoris, and certain types of cancers. That's why I guess they check on medical history, take blood pressure & all that good stuff.

It does say that taking the pill can have some non-contraceptive benefits including fewer pelvic infections, and fewer cancers of the ovary and the lining of the uterus, so I guess it kind of balances out? :confused:

Pretty much anything you do has *some kind* of risks nowadays... are there any for the shot or patch?

I hate the Pill and I hate my period and I wish I could have a hysterectomy.

I went on Ortho-Novum in January of my frosh year because I got bad cramps - to the point that I wouldn't want to go to class. My period was also always so excited to see me that I had to tend to it almost every hour - not fun during, say, a lab class.

It immediately helped my cramps, but I gained 35 lbs in a semester - it was horrible. I only had one pair of jeans at school that still fit. :( After about four months, it stopped working and my cramps were worse. My doctor switched me over to Tri-Phasil, which works okay - mimimal cramping, but I get so moody. Lee started staying away from me once I got to the last week of pills because I was so mean to him.

Right now I am off the pill, I went off during finals week because I missed 5 days of pills. I have lost almost 15 lbs (since coming home May 16) and feel so much better, which considering what has been going on in my life, is amazing. I am going to see how bad this next period is and then decide whether I should go back on it or not.

Another vote for Alesse! I have not gained any weight, but actually lost some. My period is only 3 days and hardly there at all!

I get sooooo tired right around when I start & when I'm on it. I usually take a day off of work because I seriously cannot function. Does this happen to anyone else?

I love Alesse! I haven't had a single problem with it.

Please read and respond to my question about Alesse on the other thread!!:D

I hope that you feel better. I went to my doctor complaining about cramps and she told me to avoid chocolate and alcohol, and put me on anaprox. It worked. I don't even take anaprox anymore. Now I only have one bad day and Tylenol or Advil alleviates my cramps. Maybe getting older help.

I was on orthotricyclen for 5 years before finally switching to something else. I loved orthotricyclen because it helped with my skin (no breakouts) and my period was lighter, but I gained so much weight! I'm on the patch now and I love it. Granted it does nothing for my skin, I don't have PMS like I used to and I don't have to remember a pill every night. For those concerned about it falling off, IT WON'T. It does hurt like crap peeling it off every Sunday, though. That thing sticks like duct tape. As for cravings, my friends know when I'm on my period because that's the ONLY time I'll eat hamburgers and fries or chocolate.

I have been on the pill for about 6 years and I have never had any noticable cramping and my actual period only lasts for about 4 days max. The only indication I get that I'm close to that time of the month is where I am on my pills and sometimes my face gets a little oily, but that's it. I have skipped my period using my pills before with no bad side effects, and I actualy feel better for it sometimes. From the sound of things, I must be in the minority with minimal symptoms.

I'm giving it a try being off the Pill for a while, since for the past year I have been on three different kinds and none did what I wanted them to do, which was make the cramps go away! :( Evil-TriCyclen...oh, sorry, it's Ortho-TriCyclen, made me break out like I've never broken out before in my life. It's not supposed to, and it didn't for the first year, but it eventually started to. Plus, I got hot flashes and I was extremely moody. So the doctor put me on Demulen, which he said would fix the acne and the cramps. It didn't. I got breakouts worse than before. So then I went to a new doctor, and she gave me Yasmin. It was a lot better, but very expensive so I quit taking it last month. She also gave me some Retin-A to fix my skin, and so far it's working a dream...that's why I'm sort of wary of pills for the moment. I guess if the cramps get bad again, I'll just go back to taking five Advils and curling up in bed like I did before.

Re: Re: Girls' Friends & The Pill
 

Yikes.. that *is* scary .. I would've been scared too!

I hear you, girl. But you do have other options. I had cramps and irregular periods so bad when I was fifteen that I asked to go on the Pill. My mother responded, "NO! You're not having sex!" I didn't even try to deal with that one, and I couldn't just go to my doctor anyway, 'cuz it'd show up on our health insurance. So I suffered and waited 'til I was 18 and had gone to college. Then I finally said, "ENOUGH!" I went to Planned Parenthood and got an exam and pills, which at a Title X clinic is free 'cuz I am a student and have no income. I've been on Orthotricycline for going on four years now, and I love it-- it makes me childproof! My first month I was a crazy hormonal bitch from hell, but after that I was fine. I've gained weight, but that was two years after I went on Ortho and unrelated to it (I have an autoimmune disorder). I've been losing for the past two months, and I'm not really having trouble. My mother doesn't know that I'm on the Pill; it's rather easy to keep that a secret. And with Planned Parenthood, you don't have to worry about anybody finding out or about it showing up on your health insurance. It's great.

As for supplies, I usually use OB without applicators. Has anybody tried Instead? I gave it a go on my last period, and I think I like it. My little swears by it, as do several other members of our campus swim team.

I love OB without applicators, I started using the unbleached kind from the health co-op, which are basically the same as OB in procedure, but without the dioxins found in bleached cotton. I haven't used Instead, but I've met a lot of women who have had good luck with the Keeper--is that the same thing? I've also heard good things about sea sponges and Glad Rags.