Experience With Birth Control

[deleted]

For reproductive system issues, my doctor recently put me on a prescription consisting of seven days of progesterone tablets and then birth control pills. I have never done this before, so I wondered if anyone else has.

What was birth control like for you? What kind did you use?

 

[LadyDestani]

I was on birth control pills for a couple of years until my husband and I decided to start trying for kids. This was about 10 years ago so I don't remember the name of the pill at all.

Overall, I'd have to say my experience was positive. I've always had wonky cycles and extremely painful cramps, but the birth control pills helped with both of those things. My husband did express some relief when I stopped taking them because he said they affected my moods sometimes, but I never noticed that.

 

[deleted]

I was on birth control pills for a couple of years until my husband and I decided to start trying for kids. This was about 10 years ago so I don't remember the name of the pill at all.

Overall, I'd have to say my experience was positive. I've always had wonky cycles and extremely painful cramps, but the birth control pills helped with both of those things. My husband did express some relief when I stopped taking them because he said they affected my moods sometimes, but I never noticed that.

The whole reason I am going on birth control is for missed/irregular periods, so I’m glad to hear that it helped you with that!

 

[Alienfish]

I've been on both combined and non-combined BC pills throughout the years and my cramps were real bad and period sometimes up to a week and always much so they did wonders for both that and being able to do adult stuff so to say.

I did start non-combined earlier this fall because the combined kinda stopped preventing cramps and period and not worth it for me to hurt like a whole week or more each month. I get an occasional spotting bleeding now and then but for most part I don't get anything and don't feel much. This is different for most people so you could very well get other way around so try it out and it could take a few months for them to work properly.

Also PSA about combined "the pills". Make sure to answer questions from the nurse/ob-gyn, if you have blood clot/stroke/heart related issues in your (female) family you shouldn't be on those. And don't ever drink/ eat grapefruit or st. johns wort.

 

[oak]

My periods used to be horrible so the birth control I take has completely shut off my period but it can still give some people light periods. I also have endometriosis & painful cysts so that's why I started birth control in the first place. It's been 2 years since I had a period. My birth control is probably a bit different then yours in the sense that you're trying to get a regular schedule rather then end the period all together. Definitely ask your doctor about negative side effects because I gained 20lbs in the first few months of taking the new meds and it was a fight to lose it. Nobody wants weight gain from their birth control. Other then that birth control had a very positive effect in my life that out weighed any negative side effects.

 

[Katzenjammer]

I was on birth control starting in my later teens I think as a way to mitigate a lot of severe physical symptoms that I had during cycles, but I was on them for so long (years). I was on one type of pill for awhile, then another, then Nuvaring at one point. Finally I ended up having my tubes tied and haven't had to worry about it since, but as far as my chemistry regulation, I have to say it was better when I was on birth control. The only thing I dislike about most birth control is the estrogen, which contributes to breast cancer, which my mom has had. I do want to say that my weight did fluctuate a bit, usually gaining if anything, but it wasn't anything dramatic that I can recall. Then again my memory is shot, lol.

Not sure if there's anything else you'd like to know but always feel free to ask if you like as I tend to be very medical minded about just about everything.

 

[Lady Timpani]

My periods have always been really heavy, so when I was around 18 my provider at the time put me on birth control to help with that. Overall they have helped; my cramps have gotten better and while my flows are still pretty heavy, they're nowhere near as heavy as they used to be. I've had to adjust the prescription once or twice but I've always used an oral contraceptive, and it's always been a combo. Just make sure to talk to your doctor if they're giving you weird side effects or don't seem to be helping, and you two can try to find one that works better for you.

 

[ReeBear]

I had a mixed experience while on combined pills - the periods were lighter and I got to skip them, but while I was taking it both periods and PiV became unbearably painful. I've since come off them and PiV is fine now but periods continue to be really painful so i kind of no idea what's happening :') possibly endo, in which case I guess I'll try them again and see how my body respnds?
Good luck! Track your symptoms/experiences with your prescription/bc pills maybe, it can help doctors get a better idea of what will work for you

 

[neoqueenserenity]

Birth control is great imo. I've taken an oral pill all my life, it was convenient since I've always had other oral meds I needed to take and I'm terrified of getting an IUD or implant. I know plenty of women who have had both with no issues, I'm just a scaredy cat tbh. I started at 14 for horrible side effects I was getting from my cycles. I still get minor cramps but that's probably the worst of it. I do like that I'm prepared for the day my cycle starts and the day it stops.

I was on progestin-only pills up until recently. My cystic acne was starting to come back, so at my last visit they decided to switch me over to low-estrogen pills (Sprintec) instead. My acne cleared back up, but I do feel I've retained some weight. Nothing dramatic. Its a common side effect unfortunately.

Overall, I think bc is great for lots of reasons, just gotta find the right one

 

[meo]

I can't speak much for pills, I've always stuck to iuds for birth control.I prefer something I don't have to remember to take and I'm just not interested in the implant. My experience is good currently but I've had bad experiences too.

My first iud I wanted was the copper iud (paragard). With any iud, they always tell you it take roughly 6 months to regulate. I liked the idea of the copper one because it was hormone free and I knew increased bleeding, cramping, etc were a common side effect. I had it for probably a year and a half before I finally gave up with it. Unfortunately, it never regulated for me...I was having horrible bleeding 3 out of 4 weeks of the month to the point where I was anemic while on it, nonstop pain (maybe like one week in the month I wouldn't have cramping), all the side effects of anemia, etc. I was really scared of hormonal birth control so that's why I stuck to it for so long.

Ultimately I just couldn't do it anymore so I talked to my doctor and we discussed Kyleena (hormonal iud). I got that inserted and it's been a dream ever since. I have no period if not just small spotting during that time, none to minimal cramping, no acne/weight gain etc side effects. It lasts five years which is coming up for me...I won't get it replaced bc me and my husband are potentially going to be family planning soon but, when I am ready again, I'll happily go back to another kyleena iud.

I do want to say even though I had a terrible experience with the copper iud...everyone's bodies are different and what works for one person isn't the same for the next. As much as it sucks, with any medications it can be trial and error to find what works best for you. With any iud, I do think it's worth waiting 6 months to regulate but of course stay in communication with your gyno to observe when/if something else may work better for you!

 

[Celine]

I’ve been on the pill since my late teens too because I had really bad cramps and heavy cycles, which the pill has greatly reduced. The pill also really helped my skin and I got fewer spots.
That being said, I have a friend who tried various pills but they all had negative side effects for her like weight gain and really low mood. She instead opted for an IUD which worked much better for her. I guess it differs from person to person. It’s really amazing for some people and just doesn’t work for others. I’d say give it a try but watch out for side effects!

 

[ting1984]

Used it for many years; went off it in November since husband and I plan to conceive next year. I'm 36.

Honestly, I never had any issues with it. If anything, the only difference I noticed, is that it helped make my "time of the month" much lighter, more regular, and less painful. I'm now due for my first "real" one in quite awhile next month. I have naproxen sodium ready in case the pain resumes.

It's also very effective for its primarily intended purpose if you use it as stated.

 

[Lady Timpani]

Used it for many years; went off it in November since husband and I plan to conceive next year. I'm 36.

Congrats on making that decision, I hope everything goes well for you two!

 

[Saylor]

I have really painful and heavy periods so I started taking birth control pills (Kurvelo is the name of the one I'm taking now) when I was around 17 to help with that. They're still pretty heavy and every now and then I'll have bad cramps, but they've gotten much lighter and less painful than they used to be. I also know exactly when my period is gonna start and end every month which is nice. I haven't really experienced mood swings or some of the other more common side effects, but if I accidentally miss a pill or get bad about taking them I'll usually get headaches and start to feel nauseous, so I'd just say do your best to take them regularly at around the same time every day. You may have to play around a bit too with one that works well for you, but I hope it does help!

 

[SlEEPYTEARRS]

im on enpresse, but not for the usual reason of not wanting a kid, i was put on it for my PCOS because my periods dont come in unless i take the pills regularly.

honestly i havent had a lot of issues!! while it has given me periods, theyre light and only last about four days. only issue ive really had is if i forget to take it for about three or so days and i start my period, my period will be super heavy and last weeks, i had to go to my doctor for a period that lasted almost a month. took everything out of me

Post automatically merged: Dec 20, 2020

oh! something i have noticed is that i have a lot of clots however. its very odd

 

[Imbri]

I first went on a low dose of the Pill when I was 16 to regulate my cycle. On my own, it wasn't unusual to skip 2-3 months, but I'd be in a lot of discomfort when it did come around.

I went on the full dose in my early 20s. We had to try a few different mixes to find one I could tolerate, but once we did, I stayed on it for about 20 years, until I had my tubes tied.

The main thing I had while on it were ocular migraines. My mother, aunt, and grandmother got them as well, so I was prepared. I had a few mood swings until we got the right dosage/mix, also.

It can be helpful, just ask questions and talk with your doctor.

 

[hamster]

ive been on birth control (a pill) i forgot what its called for a few months. mostly because i have pmdd and heavy periods. its helped a little bit, i cant say for sure though because sometimes i forget to take them for days. im supposed to take one a day

last time my period went after like 4 days and then like 4-5 days later it came back and was 4 days again. idk if that has anything to do with the pill cuz again i forgot to keep taking it

 

[Alienfish]

last time my period went after like 4 days and then like 4-5 days later it came back and was 4 days again. idk if that has anything to do with the pill cuz again i forgot to keep taking it

probably since you're not supposed to go that long without...

but yeah in general, make sure to take pills and set several alarms/reminder for it if you are forgetful. I always take mine around 9 am when I also get up, it makes a good routine. Also with non-combined it's more important to take them more or less on the time you set it too since both protection and removing period effects may go away.

 

[shion]

progestin/estrogen combo birth control because no babies please
my only complaint is it made me gain weight

 

[Sara?]

I couple of years ago i was on pills for birth control but my doctor recommended it to me because of way of controlling my acne, it did also make my period much regular ( to this day i am a huge irregular ! ) however i was young back them and i cant put all the blame on my doctor I also took advantage of the pills ( taking them in a way in which i could control when my period would come and/or delayed it if it was convenient for me, Horrible thing to do never to this ). At the end i think i did not take it for more than a year and i think i will nor take it again unless i have to, It was a huge hormonal hit for me at least, I had constant like REAL mood changes like simplest mean comment would make me insta cry etc. I have always been very scared or feeling respect of hormonal medicine so to say and unless necessary i won't take them or medicine in general.

This is just my opinion