I know it varies from woman to woman, but I was wondering what the common side effects were other than weight gain. I've heard horror stories about Depo-Provera so I was thinking about the pill instead.
2006-11-19 09:49:13 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Women's Health
WELL...do I have a lot to say about this!
When I got to college, I decided to get on birth control because I was sexually active. I originally started on Depo Provera. I went through three shots, then stopped them because I was concerned about the severe cramping and spotting I was having. When I stopped taking them, I had a period for a straight month and then very irregular menstruation for a year thereafter. :(
Then, a year later, when I was on serious boyfriend #2, I decided to go on the pill. I kept forgetting them at inconvenient times - rushed trips across the state because of a relative in the hospital, etc. This was not effective at all. Plus, I had the worst loss of libido ever. I was pretty moody. My boyfriend said that it was how the BC worked...he couldn't get any!! And I was rather disappointed about how the Pill *didn't* clear up my monthly acne breakouts.
Then, I decided to go on the Ortho Evra patch. I loved it...until I had a blood clot. I had throbbing pain in my right arm one night for hours, then my whole right side went numb for a couple of days. It passed, but I was advised not to go on hormonal BC for another year.
I was recently cleared to take the progesterone-only pills (like Depo, but no shot), but my now-husband and I decided it wasn't worth the risk to my health. Now, we always use condoms and we're very careful close to my fertile time...
I think that only your doctor and you can really go through the pros and cons of hormonal BC. Sometimes a woman's body chemistry handles the hormones differently. Monitor your symptoms after going on the BC and then keep in touch with your MD.
2006-11-19 10:54:46 · answer #1 · answered by Amelia N 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cholesterol went sky-high. Every doctor I have been to says that is not possible. However, the warnings do say that heart conditions can be affected, especially in smokers (I am not a smoker). While I was on the pill, I changed my diet and exercise habits, and the cholesterol continued to go up every year (for years). As soon as I got off of it, my cholesterol went back down. Just like that. I was on the pill for 10 years.
I also have a friend who took the pill for 20 years without a break. She had a pulmonary embolism, which almost killed her. Her doctors (several different ones saw her, with several different specialties, as she was a case study while in the hospital recovering because it is so rare to live through this) all have concluded that the pill caused this to happen to her.
I have become convinced that the pill is not an option for me, anymore. I think it is dangerous, and I would not go on it again.
2006-11-19 15:06:18 · answer #2 · answered by sadiemylady 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I took the shot and I have nothing great to say about that. The pill on the other hand was great. Most pills can clear up your skin, you will have less cramps, shorter periods, and you always know when your period is comming no matter what. The great thing about it is that if you want to conceive all you have to do is stop taking it and there you go. The only draw back I can think of is that that you have to remember to take it everyday. Good luck!!!
2006-11-19 10:05:40 · answer #3 · answered by angel l 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can get a ton of nasty veins that show very much on your legs. My mom has them and so she told me it happened when she started taking the pills. Why not use condoms? Theyre just as effective, and they fight STDs.
2006-11-19 09:54:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
These were my side effects: lighter periods, less cramps, larger breasts (only slightly, but every little bit helps when you're as small as I am), decreased sex drive. Yup, my libido went down. From what I understand, it's not uncommon, but it's one side effect no one ever mentions.
2006-11-19 10:45:34 · answer #5 · answered by kris 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i was on the pill and on top of weight gain i had some mood swings not bad, the big problem was forgetting. do just don't forget...
2006-11-19 10:10:17 · answer #6 · answered by DW827 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nausea, mood changes, spotting (happens usually during firat 3 months), decreased sex drive, breast tenderness
2006-11-19 10:03:58 · answer #7 · answered by ~Innocent_One~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mood swings, weight gain and sore breasts...
2006-11-19 10:22:14 · answer #8 · answered by BellyRubz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i has shortness of breath
2006-11-19 10:37:15 · answer #9 · answered by annamariecreed 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋