What kinds of hormonal birth control have you used and what side effects have you experienced? The side effects I'm most concerned with is weight gain, mood changes, and loss of sex drive. I have been on the shot (depo) and didn't like it. I didn't menstrate for two years after my last shot. My sister was on the patch (ortho evra) and I'm not interested in that either.
Also, I always use condoms and have only one partner, so would you recommend birth control in addition or is it unneccesary?
2007-01-29 09:45:49 · 8 answers · asked by purple stars13 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
Condoms are usually 97% effective (check Consumer's Report recent study, kinda scary how ineffective some brands really are!), and they can always break, so a back-up form of birth control is always a good idea if you're not ready to have children yet.
The side effects I noticed on the pill were improved skin tone, increased bust size, and nausea on the first day. The first three months my symptoms were all over the place as my body adjusted to the hormones - my skin broke out horribly, I was moody, my breasts were tender, etc, but after that I did fine. Personally I have no side effects on the patch, and I love it, but it's not for everyone, because it can cause stroke in some women.
Everyone reacts differently to the level of hormones, so you just have to try each one and see what works for you. I recommend trying the pill for six months... you can always stop if it doesn't work you, but at least you'll know you're playing it safe.
2007-01-29 09:57:34 · answer #1 · answered by teresathegreat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm on birth control, (kariva) and I really haven't had any major changes, I did gain a little weight in the beginning but it wasn't much and I lost it right away. My mood didn't change. If you're concerned about loss of sex drive, don't even worry about it, when I got on the pill I actually wanted to have sex more, which was nice for my partner. I only have one partner as well and I've been on it for over a year and a half. We barely ever have a back up method when we're having sex and it's never been a problem, we both agree...well I'm sure anyone would agree, it's more enjoyable just the two of us. But thats just an opinion. I enjoy not having to rely on condoms being there. There's more freedom for the two of you to be intimate with each other whenever you like.
2007-01-29 10:06:25 · answer #2 · answered by Lindz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I tried the pill, the depo, and lunelle. All hormones gave me problems. I gained weight, felt heavy and fatigued, definitely depressed. Eventually, over the years, I started getting worse symptoms--my arm or leg would go numb for hours at a time. Doctor told me to get off it for good since it seemed to be affecting my heart.
If you do not hate condoms, I'd say stick to those and forget the hormones. They are NOT good for you, especially over the long haul. The older you get, the more likely they are to give you health issues. Most pregnancies that happen with condoms occur as a result of people using them wrong--pulling them, not being carefull with the nails, using oily lubes, using condoms from three years ago, or using condoms with no lube in a very dry vagina. If you've been using them successfully and they are not beyond their shelf life, I do not see why not go on using them. Just take a peek at that condom during action every once in a while, and use water-based lube if you're not having a juicy day to make sure it is not subjected to too much friction. If it breaks, you'll see it really clearly. It's happened to me once and it was totally visible, since once they rip they rip good. Just make sure it's looking OK once in a while.
It is also sad but true that often we have a partner we trust and they may not be quite as trustworthy. I've worked on HIV prevention and testing and we keep telling everyone that if they do not mind condoms and they are not trying to get pregnant it is always best to use that kind of protection. Nobody wants to think that way about their partners but statistics prove there are loads of people out there who are not aware of partners cheating on them. I am not saying this is the case, and i am sure if your partner uses condoms with you he/she would definitely also use them with any other lover--if only for your sake! I'm just saying it has that extra benefit you would not get with a hormone-based birth control method.
2007-01-29 10:01:54 · answer #3 · answered by yoyo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The BCP that I was on was called Ortho Novum. My doctor told me that there was a possibility of weight gain, but I didn't gain any weight at all. I didn't experience any other side effect either.
Condoms aren't 100% effective and there will always be that off chance that the condom can break or have a little tear in it. I would definitely recommend both condoms and birth control pills.
2007-01-29 09:56:40 · answer #4 · answered by lyntrinh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well put it this way loss of sex drive...Ha! Its tricky.....i was on depo shot and no i didnt lose my sex drive but it did mess up my sex period by getting me ohh so dry down there....so umm i guess you can call this sex drive loss....yeap!
Now when it comes to weight gain...personally didnt gain a point off depo, know a lot that didnt either, but its just me and all the skiny people i know. Mood changes....i wouldnt say that and its not like i would notice cuz i am just a spontaneous person. So i say no!
Birth control pills like ortho tri cyclen........thats the only one i use and i am about to go for the one that called cyclen lo because i did gain weight which is no biggie but i did develop a very unpleasant sideeffect. I start gettin yeast infections almost everytime before my periods....Watta hassle!
If you want to go for birthcontrol pills, talk to doc and he will try to look for some that fit exactly to your body. And if you really want to be good then i would go for low hormone Ortho Tri CYclen Lo.
2007-01-29 09:58:32 · answer #5 · answered by BK thang 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All birth controls affect individuals differently so some may cause more side effects in one person and no side effects in another. It has to do with the hormone levels in each birth control and the effects of these hormone levels in your own body. Yasmin has been advertised to have 3 advantages: no weight gain, prevents pregnancy, and no acne.
Birth control is a method to prevent unwanted pregnancy as are condoms. But birth control alone does not prevent against STDs. Condoms are a method to prevent STDs.
2007-01-29 09:52:03 · answer #6 · answered by truluv1328 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously your girlfriend wasn't paying attention when the doctor told her the pill is NOT 100% effective. She also obviously didn't read the literature that comes with EVERY single packet of pills. Now that she knows she is pregnant she needs to stop the pill. Only her doctor would know if there would be any side effects, if she thinks that staying on the pill will cause her to no longer be pregnant she is dead WRONG. There is only one way for her to end her pregnancy before term.
2016-03-29 08:41:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been on multiple kinds of the pill. In each one, it caused either homicidal impulses or suicidal impulses. Regardless, the mood swings were horrid!
I tried Depo - it didn't work either. I bled for 3 weeks straight, every month. It killed my libido and made me gain weight.
If you don't care for condoms, you might consider an IUD. Few side effects compared to others.
Good luck.
2007-01-29 09:52:06 · answer #8 · answered by Meg M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋