Birth control?

Question

I get ovarian cysts and extremely heavy periods along with horrible cramps. My doctor wants me to take a low-dose birth control pill, but I'm unsure.

I heard it makes you gain weight or could put you at risk for cancer or not having children later on?

Is this true? Should I take it or no? I'm a horrible pill-taker.

Answer 1

I too have cystic ovaries and I am now taking the pill. I have been on them about 6 weeks now and having a light pain free period was well worth the cost of the pill. I was on the pill for several years before I had children and had no problem getting pregnant either time. As for the cancer thing I am not sure but as long as you get regular pap smears and do your monthly breast exams you should be fine. If you deside to take the pill but can't remember to take them everyday use a rubber band and attach them to something you use daily to help you get into the habit. I keep mine in my toothbrush holder so I remember when I brush my teeth. When I was still it school I kept them in my backpack with my house keys so I remember to take it as I was locking the house to leave. What ever it take to help you remember.

Answer 2

You don't say how old you are. If you are still a teenager these strong periods may come to stabilize in time.

The Pill can make you gain weight - usually about 5-10 pounds. There haven't been any studies that show that it causes cancer, but it is an estrogen dose and there are breast tumors that feed on estrogen, so take that for what it's worth. Gynecologists are pretty comfortable recommending it though.

There are no studies showing that the Pill can make you infertile.

If your periods are really making you miserable or keeping you in bed, making you throw up, etc. then give it a try and see how it is. It will make your periods very regular - you'll be able to tell to the DAY when your period starts -- and it will likely regulate them and make them less heavy. After about 6 months you will have a pretty good idea of how your body is handling the medication.

It won't work as an effective form of birth control unless you are very strict with the dose and take it at exactly the same time every day and don't miss any doses.

Answer 3

It used to be that the pill could cause infertility if women took it long enough and that was with older versions of the pill. That is no longer the case now with the newer ones. Also, even if it does stop her periods for a time when she comes off they have ways to get it restarted.

The pill can cause one to gain weight but that is mostly water weight and the average weight gain is about 5-10 pounds.

As for the cancer risk, it has been shown to actually lower the incidence of certain cancers. As for causing other cancers, that has not been shown to be true.

I would recommend double checking with your dr and also checking to see what could be causing the heavy periods to see if something like a hormone imbalance such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome could be playing in to this.

To learn more about PCOS check out: http://www.pcosupport.org

Answer 4

Everyone is different....

my periods are sooo much better since i started taking BC. Much lighter and hardly any cramps.

Weight gain is sometimes a side effect, although I didnt experience this.

Best way to know is to try it. But you have to be consistant with taking the pills- I keep mine by my toothbrush so i dont forget. You have to take everyday or else it will screw up your cycle.

Answer 5

I would say to trust your doctor's judgement. The advantages may outweigh the risks.

Answer 6

This could be a rumor however I heard it could give you cancer. Then I here its great so I don' know. I wouldn't trust anyone.