birth control - Page 24

ThetaLove · #1 08-19-2007, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wine&SilverBlue

what do you use?

I'm on Ortho Tri Cyclen.

I was on Estrostep for years.

I tried Yasmin (only for a month) but I stopped taking it due to mood issues... it was so bothersome, that I didn't want to wait to see if it would get better.

Dionysus · #2 02-01-2009, 06:10 PM

I'm wondering if there's anyone on here who purposely do not take BC pills? I've read about the horrible things that it can do to you, I don't want that stuff anywhere near my body!

I have something called estrogen dominance, and they wanted me to take BC pills for it. BC is estrogen! It's estrogen in a milder and safer form, but it is still estrogen!

I've did a lot of research on ED, and I have it under control by avoiding caffiene, non-organic dairy products, takin zinc, and eating more veggies. If anyone has estrogen dominance (or its symptoms of heavy/long periods, bad PMS, sore boobs when you're not PMSing, mood swings), and you think BC pills make it worse (I heard of this happening), definately look into some alternatives!

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #3 02-01-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dionysus

I'm wondering if there's anyone on here who purposely do not take BC pills?

I know a couple girls who feel that way. One of them is my mom.

Quote:

I've read about the horrible things that it can do to you, I don't want that stuff anywhere near my body!

Sure; like any medication, it has its pros and its cons. But hormonal birth control can be an absolute godsend to a woman with wickedly bad cramps, crazy PMS, or a bleeding disorder.

Quote:

I have something called estrogen dominance, and they wanted me to take BC pills for it.

I've never heard of this. Interesting!

agzg · #4 02-02-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dionysus

I'm wondering if there's anyone on here who purposely do not take BC pills?

I talked to my gynecologist about taking the pill a few years back, but I'm high risk for a boatload of cancers (as in, recent family history), and this was even before my mom was diagnosed and lost her battle with bladder cancer. I qualify for pretty much every "warning" at the end of a BC commercial.

My doctor was extremely wary of even prescribing the Depo shot, so I just gave it up. I use condoms and while I don't chart everything out I know about the time when I'm a fertile myrtle and try not to push my luck.

The funniest thing is, I've had fewer pregnancy scares than most of my friends who have been on the pill for years. This is weird, too, but if my cycle is wonky, I'm still not surprised by my period very often. My body is pretty good at giving warning when it's ready to start that all up, and if I'm not sleeping or incredibly busy I usually notice it getting ready an hour or two before bleeding starts.

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #5 02-02-2009, 03:41 PM

It sounds like you're really in tune with your body. I think you have much better luck preventing pregnancy if you're very aware of where you are in your cycle and what that means for you.

Then there are girls like me, who take the birth control pill and STILL get surprised by their period.

I've only been getting my period since I was ten. I should be figuring it out any day now.

ISUKappa · #6 02-02-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dionysus

I'm wondering if there's anyone on here who purposely do not take BC pills?

I haven't since 2004 and probably won't ever again. I was on them for ~6 years and while they didn't cause any issues, I just don't feel comfortable with putting those hormones in my body anymore - especially as I have a family history of cancer.

I'm married, have two kids and would like at least one more. I chart my cycles and we use condoms. That's what works for us. I also don't think that we'll pursue more permanent forms of BC once we're done having children.

nikki1920 · #7 02-01-2009, 07:46 PM

Dionysus:
Its a matter of finding what works for you. Talk with your dr.

My cramps are back to being the bane of my existence, so I may have to look at getting back on some BC to control them, but I am really bad at taking pills every day for longer than two weeks.

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #8 02-01-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikki1920

I am really bad at taking pills every day for longer than two weeks.

Have you tried setting your cell phone alarm? I don't know about you but my cell phone always with me. I set my alarm and then right when it goes off I stop what I'm doing and go take the pill. No putting it off for five minutes or until I finish what I'm doing.

Another idea - when I was in college and working, I was constantly exhausted and really scatterbrained. I kept missing pills. The ONE thing that worked was setting my alarm for the middle of the night. I'd set it for 4:30 AM and put a glass of water and my pills on the table next to my bed. The alarm would go off, I'd take the pill, roll over and go back to sleep. It was weird but it worked perfectly.

christiangirl · #9 02-13-2009, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dionysus

I'm wondering if there's anyone on here who purposely do not take BC pills? I've read about the horrible things that it can do to you, I don't want that stuff anywhere near my body!

I feel the same way. I don't plan on having this issue for a long time but, when I do, BC sounds like a good option but that voice at the end of the commercials that rambles off all the side effects scares me. I know that all pills have side effects but women can develop so many things when their hormones are off balance, from minor to life-threatening. Adding extra hormones into my body just sounds like bad news. It really scares me! Looking through this thread has helped a tad to see so many women who have found what works for them, but there are some horror stories in here, too (thanks a lot guys).

nikki1920 · #10 02-01-2009, 08:23 PM

I never thought about that.. hmm. Thanks for that idea.

DreamfulSpirit · #11 02-01-2009, 08:31 PM

Yeah, I have my alarm set on my phone for when I take my pill, and it has really helped me keep on track!

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #12 02-01-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamfulSpirit

Yeah, I have my alarm set on my phone for when I take my pill, and it has really helped me keep on track!

That reminded me. Another trick is to keep your pills in your purse. That way if you ever forget, the pills are right there with you. Otherwise if you take it in the morning and you forgot and went to work, being 20 minutes late turns into 8 hours late because you have to wait until you're done working to go home and take the damn thing. IF you remember by then!

My college roommate insisted on taking her pill in the morning. She told me because if she took it at night, and she forgot to take a pill, 8 hours of sleeping would go by before she could take the pill. Whereas if she took it during the morning, she had all day to realize she forgot her pill, and since she was awake she could take it.

PhoenixAzul · #13 02-02-2009, 10:19 AM

I gave up on the pill because I was just so sick of taking it every day...so I switched to a non-hormonal IUD (similar to the Paraguard). It's pretty much AWESOME. No hormones, no remembering, and best of all, NO BABIES! I didn't even pay for it, thank you NHS. I will say that while the insertion was REALLY uncomfortable, the night after was the worst because I didn't time out my pain pills properly.

For those of you in the USA it can be hard to find a OB/GYN who will do an IUD insertion on a girl who hasn't had kids (in Britain you just have to assure them you're in a long term relationship). Apparently, there is a slightly elevated chance of rejection for those who haven't had a kid, and insertion can be more difficult. Word around the water cooler is that Planned Parenthood will do insertions on women w/o children. As for the possibility of infertility...I'm ok with that because I'm not a kids person...at all....ever. I find it kinda strange though that drs hesitate to do tubal ligation/essure on younger women. Apparently we're old enough to decide we want children, but not old enough to decide we DONT want children?

But I look at it like this....my former pills were costing $10/month, every month. So, 120 a year, give or take. My IUD is good for 10 years. That's 1,200 I've saved, and I don't have to freak about taking it.

aephi alum · #14 02-02-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

I find it kinda strange though that drs hesitate to do tubal ligation/essure on younger women. Apparently we're old enough to decide we want children, but not old enough to decide we DONT want children?

I know. There seems to be an assumption that all women want children. "Sure you don't want children now, but what about in three or four years? Maybe you'll change your mind! Just stay on the pill for now."

Why did you have to assure your doctor that you're in a long-term relationship? It shouldn't be any of their business.

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #15 02-02-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

I gave up on the pill because I was just so sick of taking it every day...so I switched to a non-hormonal IUD (similar to the Paraguard). It's pretty much AWESOME. No hormones, no remembering, and best of all, NO BABIES! I didn't even pay for it, thank you NHS....

But I look at it like this....my former pills were costing $10/month, every month. So, 120 a year, give or take. My IUD is good for 10 years. That's 1,200 I've saved, and I don't have to freak about taking it.

You're a good saleswoman.

You made ME want to get an IUD!

As an aside - I'm always surprised by women who say they're irritated or frustrated or tired of taking the pill every day. I've been taking it so long it's just sort of a part of my day... just like brushing my teeth. I can't imagine someone talking about how frustrated they are that they have to brush their teeth every day, you know?

Of course, I have the added benefit that I put my pills on autopilot - every morning, the alarm goes off and I take the pill. I don't have to think about it when I'm out at night or wonder during the day if I took it. Which is nice. Not for everybody, but works for me.