i'm considering going on the contraceptive pill. how does this affect the menstrual cycle? and is there anything you can tell me about it that only someone on the pill would know?
for example, did you get any side effects?
also worried about the weight gain side effect, is this significant at all and has anyone really noticed a difference?
any answers appreciated, thanks very much
2007-05-28 05:22:05 · 9 answers · asked by tcharck 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I got on the pill 6+ years ago and it's been great for me. It made my periods more regular and I know exactly when I am going to get them (it's always the last weeks worth of pills). I never had any problems with weight gain and it even helped a little with my acne.
I know everyone woman is different though. Some women do gain weight from it, but I've never heard of an outrageous weight gain like 50lbs. I've only heard about 5-15lbs weight gain.
Good luck!
2007-05-31 08:04:22 · answer #1 · answered by Alli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion the pill is extremely worth it. First of all there are lots of different types of pills with differing levels of hormones. Your doctor will prescribe the right one for you. What the pill does is stop ovulation, so the "period" that you have isn't technically a period. It is a week that you shed some blood, mostly for reassurance that you not pregnant, but you do not shed an egg during the process.
In general the pill makes your period less painful, cramps lessen or go away altogether. After a while periods tend to be lighter as well, around 3 days. If you want you can even control when you want your period (not in the first month). You can skip the placebo pills and have fewer periods, for example every three months like I do. However to do this you must be on a pill with the same dose of hormones every day, not one that changes every week.
The side effects really aren't that bad. In the beginning you may feel some nauseous, but it goes away. The nauseous may return when you re start a new pack after your period as well. Some people say you gain weight, but this is not a medical side effect. Most of the people I know on the pill gained no weight at all.
Again, its totally worth it, but you have to be committed. You have to take your pill at the same time every day. If your bad with remembering that sort of thing look into the ring or the patch.
2007-05-28 05:34:54 · answer #2 · answered by Kelso 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been on the pill since I was 18. Not now, though, as I'm pregnant. Anyway, it makes your period regular, lighter and you'll have less PMS. It's wonderful in those ways. However, after this baby, I will not go back on it because it gives me diarrhea about twice a month. I've tried several, and it's just not worth getting sick a few times a month for.
It does work very well as I only got pregnant when I wanted to. I think the benefits outweigh the negatives.
Don't worry about weight gain. It is VERY minimal and as long as you continue a regular routine of exercise and appropriate diet, like you should be anyway, the weight gain won't be an issue.
Personally, I think the weight gain theory was developed by lazy people who want an excuse for being fat. I never gained weight on the pill and I know many people who also have never gained weight on it.
Good luck to you.
2007-05-28 05:32:18 · answer #3 · answered by happymommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's best to ask your doctor about the different types and side effects, some are really good for helping with spotty skin. It does affect your cycle, generally periods are much lighter and are shorter in duration. They are also really predictable happening every 28 days exactly. Weight gain wasn't a problem and you don't get the pmt symptoms like sore heavy breasts. Some types of the pill also reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
2007-05-28 05:28:36 · answer #4 · answered by scubasmurf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you from experience that if you go on a low-dose pill you need to be sure you take it at the same time each and everyday and never miss a dose. Not only that, but if even if you do, you still have about a 20% chance of pregnancy. Also, you will probably have break-through bleeding which is a pain, but weight gain was minimal.
2007-05-28 05:31:12 · answer #5 · answered by naniannie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been on the pill for 4 years. I haven't experienced any weight gain. My periods come at the same time every month. I experience very minor cramping and the flow is lighter than before i started the pill.
2007-05-28 05:33:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi! When i started taking the pill I picked up ALOT of weight. I was still in school and obviously NOT happy. I went to another doctor and told him the story. Apparently the pill i was on was too strong for me. You have to tell your doctor you dont want a too strong pill and the correct one for your age/flow ect ect. the new pill was great and I knew exactly what day i will menstruate. Just play open cards with your doc!
2007-05-28 05:40:20 · answer #7 · answered by girlygirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I gained 15 pounds in 3 months taking the pill. It can also cause your hair to thin. It did make my periods lighter and shorter though. but I still quit taking it because of the weight gain.
2007-05-28 05:26:21 · answer #8 · answered by Sammy S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never noticed a weight gain. I had a slight weight loss. My periods were predictable on the pill and were less severe. I had no bothersome side effects on ortho tri cyclen or ortho tri cyclen LO
2007-05-28 05:25:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋