birth control

[dzsaigirl]

Well, I finally have the courage to go off of the pill for a trial period of time. I was originally on it for HEINOUS cramps - we're talking relentless pain radiating down my legs and through my back and everything - but now that I am not having sex, I wanna try NOT taking it.

I am wondering how it will affect my sex-drive (although I will not be having sex), my complexion and my cramps. The pill was like a miracle for me. The cramps were mild to non-existent. I am also wondering if I will lose weight. I was a size 0-2 when I went on the pill and now I am a 6. I am guessing some of this weight is due to age and eating the stupid candy and pastries they're always giving us at work, but maybe some hormonal weight will come off...MAYBE

[GeekyPenguin]

I've been late on the pill all the time - your body can get affected by stress or illness or boozing and it can come early/late.

[Wine&SilverBlue]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
I've been late on the pill all the time - your body can get affected by stress or illness or boozing and it can come early/late.

:::whew::: still, I was really nervous not getting it until the next morning, even though I was an emotional wreck and had bad cramps on the day it usually comes...

when you say early/late, do you mean a day? a few days? at what point would you start to worry?

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by Wine&SilverBlue
:::whew::: still, I was really nervous not getting it until the next morning, even though I was an emotional wreck and had bad cramps on the day it usually comes...

when you say early/late, do you mean a day? a few days? at what point would you start to worry?

I've had it come two days early and up to four days late. I'm not sexually active right now so I never really have to worry, but when I was, I'd usually freak if it was more than a day later - I'm usually really consistent, down to the time it comes.

Also: it was really late (the four days) after finals one semester, and my doctor told me that since I'd been taking lots of ibprofen that week, it probably delayed the flow.

[DGqueen17]

What if I didn't take my pills for like a week? Should I just start them now? Or should I wait until I have my peroid and then start?

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by DGqueen17
What if I didn't take my pills for like a week? Should I just start them now? Or should I wait until I have my peroid and then start?

The inserts you get with your pills should have instructions on what to then...you can either take two a day until you get caught up, but make sure you're using a backup method for the next two weeks, or you can just wait until Sunday (if you're a Sunday starter) and then start a fresh pack.

[texas*princess]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
The inserts you get with your pills should have instructions on what to then...you can either take two a day until you get caught up, but make sure you're using a backup method for the next two weeks, or you can just wait until Sunday (if you're a Sunday starter) and then start a fresh pack.

Good thinking on the instructions GP! Sometimes ppl forget they come with the handy-dandy little inserts. I believe depending on what type of pill (brand) and what "stage" in the cycle you're on that makes it all complicated. (i.e. the different weeks have different hormone levels)

If you're taking Ortho TriCyclen Lo - here's what it says - If you miss 3 more more white, light blue, or dark blue "active' pills in a row (during the first 3 weeks) -

1) Sunday starter- Keep taking 1 pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and starte a new pack that same day.

2) Day 1 Starter- throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack the same day.

So I would def. read your insert to see what it says!

[DGqueen17]

I forgot about those inserts. I usually throw them away.

I have to go to the doctor soon so I will ask him about it too. Thanks for the advice tho


(I'm not gettin' any ass right now so it's not a huge deal)

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by DGqueen17
I forgot about those inserts. I usually throw them away.

I have to go to the doctor soon so I will ask him about it too. Thanks for the advice tho


(I'm not gettin' any ass right now so it's not a huge deal)

In that case you should be safe, you might just have a weird period next time. You can usually Google for instructions for your specific pill if you want to know before then.

[Shima-Mizu]

My cousin told me about some ring you can insert for the month...

but the idea of leaving something stuck up there so long kinda freaks me out

anyone know anyone else who's on that ring thing?

[pink and green]

I'm on Yasmin, and I haven't had any complaints. I used to be on OTC, then OTC-lo, but for some reason both were making me have really short cycles with very long periods, so I switched. This semester, I've gotten my period early once and late once, but stress has definitely played a part in that.

GP, the ibuprofen thing you mentioned was interesting. I take it quite often, so that may explain why I was late...

As for side effects, I haven't gained weight - except for going up a cup size when I first went on the Pill, which I can't really complain about. The best part for me is that before I went on BC my periods were ridiculously irregular, but now, for the most part, they're very predictable.

[Wine&SilverBlue]

Originally posted by pink and green
I'm on Yasmin, and I haven't had any complaints. I used to be on OTC, then OTC-lo, but for some reason both were making me have really short cycles with very long periods, so I switched. This semester, I've gotten my period early once and late once, but stress has definitely played a part in that.

GP, the ibuprofen thing you mentioned was interesting. I take it quite often, so that may explain why I was late...

As for side effects, I haven't gained weight - except for going up a cup size when I first went on the Pill, which I can't really complain about. The best part for me is that before I went on BC my periods were ridiculously irregular, but now, for the most part, they're very predictable.

I hear ya, sister! I was so irregular before I went on the pill that once I skipped the entire summer!!! I didn't mind.. but it was annoying being "surprised" I got put on the pill in HS for ovarian cysts... and I'm now regular and have much lighter cramps (and much lighter periods in general)

I don't think I gained any weight when I started the pill (although my weight was yoyo-ing at that point from meds I was on) but I did gain at least a cup size too! Wooohoo!!! I'm now a C

[amycat412]

I take Cyclessa and love it. No weight gain, up a cup size, sure. Cleared skin up amazingly. No PMS, rarely even any physical PMS symptoms and regualr 2-3 day periods. they have been fluctuating in when they start recently. Usually Friday nights, this month was Sunday night, talked to my doc about that, she said it does same w her, cause she's on it too and seems to be no reason for it. so whatever. But I LOVE cyclessa.

Have been on OTC and OTC lo both caused weight gain and hormonal issues. Been on Ortho Novum 777 (late 80s, early 90s in college) and made me puke daily. Been on 5 other kinds of pills and Cyclessa for 3 years--its the only one that's worked for me. LOVE IT!

[ShyViolet]

Is Cyclessa a low-dose pill?
I started on OTC and that was just bad, I'm small-average sized and that dose was just too much for my system. Now I'm on OTC-lo, and it's ok, but there are still some side effects that I really could live without (gained 7 pounds, and my skin got WORSE). I'm going to see about switching pills at my next visit.

~ShyViolet

[EagleChick19]

Is there anyone taking Lo/Ovral 28? I went and had my annual at the local Planned Parenthood on Monday. The doctor there put me on this pill, instead of my Yasmin. They don't keep Yasmin in stock there!