i'm 17 and i've been with my boyfriend for about 5 months now. my mum has told me i should go on the pill so i can protect myself from pregnacy. i'm not against the idea of going on the pill but i would just like a bit more information on it. also my boyfriend doesnt want me to take the pill because he says it'l make me gain weight, does that actually happen or is it just a myth?
thanks x
2007-02-05 04:50:13 · 14 answers · asked by laurer 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
It's not a myth that some forms of birth control can make you gain weight (by the way, why does he care if you gain weight? It's your body, not his). When I went on birth control, my boobs got two cup sizes bigger, which was actually sort of okay. The truth is, birth control affects your hormones, which can change your body in a number of ways. It's different for everyone but for me, it worked out. On average, most women do not gain weight from taking birth control.
I suggest you read up before you decide what kind of birth control you want to go on. A good website is http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/birthcont.htm. What is certain though is that if you and your boyfriend are having sex, you need to protect yourself, both from getting pregnant and from STDs. Birth control pills do NOT prevent STDs.
I recommend you read up a bit on this subject and then talk to your doctor. He or she will provide all the information you need before you take the pill.
2007-02-05 04:56:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Birth Control pill is not 100% effective. In fact, I read a report that the hormone in the pills are lowered these days and making it less effective (not a whole lot but still statistically significant). The reason for the change is to minimize some of the side effect people already mentioned here. So, take the advice from the others - if you use the pills, do consider an additional family planning method.
2007-02-05 06:43:48 · answer #2 · answered by White Polar Bear 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey,
There's two different types of pill; a combination pill containing two hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) and a 'mini' pill containing just progesterone. All hormonal birth control basically uses one of the above two methods. Hormonal control can be pills that require taking every day, injections and implants that last respectively months or years, skin patches, vaginal rings and inter-uterine devices (IUDs)
The combination methods prevent ovulation (and make your cervix produce thicker mucus so that sperm can't penetrate as easily). The progesterone-only methods trick the body into believing that it is already pregnant, so there's no ovulation and any fertilised eggs can't implant in the womb.
You should definitely discuss going onto the pill with a trained health professional. There are risk factors such as a history of (or family history of) blood clots, heart disease, smoking etc, and you will need to discuss with an expert whether a particular type is suitable for you. The two types have different risk factors.
Unfortunately, they both have side effects as well. It's true, some women do put on weight while on the pill. Many women on a progesterone only method find that their periods are lighter or stop altogether, but then some find that they are heavier. The second link below is good for looking at possible side effects.
If, after all that reading, you prefer barrier methods such as condoms, stick with them. It's what you're comfortable with, and barrier methods such as condoms have the added bonus of protecting you from STIs. No pill in the world can do that.
2007-02-05 05:19:24 · answer #3 · answered by Weeble316 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes it is possible to gain some weight on birth control pills but compared to the weight you put on during pregnancy its a small price to pay, also if you keep your eye on your weight whilst taking the pills and if you see that you are gaining a little weight you could always alter your diet a little or just do a bit more exercise to compensate much better than ending up with a baby you do not want yet
2007-02-05 05:46:48 · answer #4 · answered by tracy w 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if your bf is more worried about your weight than you getting pregnant you definately need some form of birth controll! there are a huge range of pills, some have certain side effects and others cause women no problems at all, also a good idea to use condoms to protect yourself from infection too, go to one of your local family planning clinics, there great if you dont fancy the idea of talking to your doctor about it, there really friendly and experts in any questions you may have also everything is free, healthy young women are happy young women, good luck1
2007-02-05 07:00:34 · answer #5 · answered by kingstontown 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It works different for each individual person. I was on it for many years, and it never made me gain weight, but I know people that did gain weight from it, so you may or you may not. But if you gain a few pounds, who cares. It is better than being a parent at 17. Pregnancy will change your life forever, so if you are going to be sexually active, I hope you choose to go on it.
2007-02-05 04:58:17 · answer #6 · answered by bostonchick 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to find some form of contraception you're happy with, or else you could end up with an unwanted pregnancy, which will affect you for the rest of your life. There are loads of different brands of contraceptive pill, each with different levels of hormones. Have a chat with your doctor and he/she can prescribe something to suit you. Yasmin is a good brand for younger users. Good luck!
2007-02-06 00:21:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should do what is right for you, if you go to your doctor he/she can tell you all the different forms of controception. it is true that you gain weight on the pill when i was on it i gained about 4 pounds and it does make you hormonal my boyfriend said it was like i had pmt for most of the month!! lol !! and you have to remember that itt doesnt protect you from sti's, so i would suggest going to your doctor/nurse and finding out about all of the forms of controception, then talk to your boyfriend abou it but at the end of the day do what is right FOR YOU!!
2007-02-05 05:52:47 · answer #8 · answered by sara f 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Iv been taking the pill for ten years. its a gods send. You have to get checked out every six to twelve months to see if it is suiting you and to check your blood pressure but other than that its great. you just have to remember to take it.
2007-02-05 08:02:09 · answer #9 · answered by REBECCA B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
be careful, i went on the pill and thought i was safe from becoming pregnant. i am now a single mother as father didn't want anything to do with me or the baby.
2007-02-05 07:51:00 · answer #10 · answered by A G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋