The Pill

[Nymphomanic]

Is it true it makes you put on weight- I really don't want to? Also - how reliable is it really (especially as I am bad at taiking pills). Which pill is best?

[hr]

I read most of the night and go south in winter - wasteland

[angel_kohaku]

I got told that the pill doesn't make you gain weight. Allegedly it gives you a pseudo appetite. But that settles down.

I think if you miss out just one a couple of times it's not going to do anything, but it's best to keep taking them regularly. I used to be really bad at taking them, luckily no mishaps. (I take them everyday now, just like the blonde joke, so I know what day it actually is).

Some pills also help skin problems. I have been on Dianette for 4 years now and that has helped my skin. I was on Yasmin for a time but that didn't do anything for my skin.

Wow, this is a strange post. and yet it could get more detailed and scary, but i'll leave it there.

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I have always depended on the kindness of strangers

[flossy]

If you forget taking a Pill daily perhaps ask for Evra (the pill patch which needs changing weekly), the Depo (injection once every three months) or implant (minor operation, local anaesthetic, works 3-5 yrs).

99% reliable IF TAKEN CORRECTLY. (Obv doesn't protect against STIs).

Reduces PMS, makes "periods" (actually withdrawal bleeding) lighter.

[hr]

Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss. Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?

[Colleen]

They'll put you on Microgynon 30 nowadays - most of the Pills are basically the same. It's... erm... well, you have a month of PMT. Warn the people you live with because you will be angry, eat them out of house and home and cry a lot. (This isn't just my experience, it's all the people I live with.) Once it settles down, though, periods are a lot easier. It really helped my skin too, although that might just be me.

As for forgetting it, just put a sign on your door saying "PILL!" or set a daily alarm on your phone. If taken properly, it's the most reliable form of contraception, but if you miss one, are very sick or have bad diorrhea, or are taking antibiotics, switch back to condoms for seven days. That's the point the mistakes are made!

[hr]

taking shots for mother nature

[bramble]

If you have any problems with bad reactions to pills then POP (progesterone only pills) pills are the best. They are also ok if youre not good at taking pills because you take them constantly, there are no breaks in taking it for periods so you dont have to remember when to start and stop every month. Also you have 12 hours grace if you forget to take a pill where it will still work effectively. If you miss a whole day though, you have to wait 7 days to be protected again.
From what the doctor told me, the oestrogen element of combined pills is what often causes side effects, especially headaches and things. She also reassured me that weight gain is not a given, and should be negligible if you find a pill to suit you.
I think the best thing to do is think about all the things you have read on this thread (maybe research the different types on the internet too) then go to your doctor and have a thorough discussion about it there - im sure they will be happy to help!
Oh and i dont know about anyone else, but im a bit wary of the injection or implants, because i think the negative aspect of not being able to come off it immediately if you have a reaction, outweighs the positive of not having to remember to take a pill. Thats just a personal opinion though, i dont mind if people contradict me if it works for them then great
Hope it all helps anyway....good luck!

[hr]

Ich will die Ruhe stören...

[Thalia]

As far as i was aware with the POPs you don't have the 12 hour grace period to remember to take them - you have to take them the same time every day. Although i've only ever been on normal pills so i may be wrong.

I'm pretty sure your doctor would reccomend that if you're bad at remembering to take pills them you should consider other contraceptive methods.

[hr]

The shadow proves the sunshine...

...And I am a Sinner Goddess.

[bramble]

Quoting Thalia from 21:22, 13th Dec 2006
As far as i was aware with the POPs you don't have the 12 hour grace period to remember to take them - you have to take them the same time every day. Although i've only ever been on normal pills so i may be wrong.

I'm pretty sure your doctor would reccomend that if you're bad at remembering to take pills them you should consider other contraceptive methods.

[hr]

The shadow proves the sunshine...

...And I am a Sinner Goddess.

Maybe with different POP's you have to remember to take it at the same time every day, but the one i was advised about you do have the 12 hour grace period. It was one of the things i made sure to ask the doctor about as im pretty forgetful too

[hr]

Ich will die Ruhe stören...

[nighteyes]

I am on Dianette now. Microgynon was giving me stomach pains after about 6 months. I was then switched to Marvalon (oh dear good god the mood swings they gave me) But I am on mine for pain relief for something else - not for a contraceptive surprise surprise.

If you are very sensitive to hormone changes like I am then you are going to find the first few weeks on a pill (and any others if you are changed onto another type) as a whirl wind of crying fits, angry outbursts and in general being a bit loony tunes. I am hell to live with if I am changing pills. Just something to be aware of.

Have not noticed a change in eating habits or weight gain although on the microgynon I did notice my breasts got a little bigger which was nice.

Deffinatly set an alarm and keep the pack where you will see it every morning (like besides your toothbrush or besides your alarm clock (thats what I do) so that taking the pill is the first thing you do in the morning. Even if you do get the 12 hour grace period with some pills you really do want to take them at the same time every day. Especially if you are taking them to prevent pregnancy.



[hr]

i didnt say i was consistant, just right!

[Lyeta]

I am on Marvelon at the moment and haven't had any noticeable weight gain problems. Agree with nighteyes - expect some hormonal upset to start with. I personally find it easier to take the pill at night (i've also heard that if you feel nauseous with the pill, it helps to take it at night) mostly because I am more likely to wake up or come home and think oh shit i didnt take my pill within 12 hours than I am to suddenly remember in the middle of the day, but everyone is different and to start with I set an alarm on my phone.

Just another word of advice - if I were you I would do some research of your own before you go to the doctors (which you seem to be doing anyway) as to which pill might be best suited to you. Microgynon is the cheapest for the NHS to provide and many doctors will push this pill, even if it might not be the best choice for you personally. If you go back reporting problems with Microgynon they will talk over other options, but it is usually the first thing they will offer you. Different pills are better for different things (besides contraceptive use) and this will influence which is most suited for you(i.e in terms of period pains, skin problems, weight gain etc) so look some up and talk them over with your doctor.

[Bizarre Atheist]

Quoting Colleen from 17:29, 13th Dec 2006
...but if you miss one, are very sick or have bad diorrhea, or are taking antibiotics, switch back to condoms for seven days.

Or, if you have any of the above conditions, stop having sex for seven days.

[hr]

http://www.race2paris.co.uk
http://standrews.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204763785

[Guest]

It's 3 hours leeway for most POPs, 12 for Cerazette.

[athiest]

My partner decided to get the quarterly injections of Depo Provera as she had had problems on one type of pill and on another there was a lot less margin of error in when she could take it.

The doctor told her there was no side effects except maybe her periods would completely stop and she might gain a few pounds of weight. The doctor was wrong about this, although maybe we should have done some research beforehand.

She had one injection and almost instantly became unwell, and now after a year she is only just getting back to normal. It is a long story and probably not representative of most women who take depo provera but i feel i have to mention just how bad it can be.

Amongst other things the side effects she had included - extreme fatigue, poor memory and concentration, headache, stomach pains, dizzyness, massive unpredictable scary mood swings, extremely heavy bleeding, bleeding for months, acne, complete loss of libido for 3/4 months, painful sex once libido returned, she also gained about 20 pounds of weight.

If she had not been on holiday from work she would definitely have needed to take a few weeks off to get over the initial symptom storm. When back at work she made loads of mistakes as a result of memory/concentration problems, and it even affected her driving as her judgement and decision making was terrible. Her self-confidence vanished as a result of the whole experience.

The only positive thing was that her breasts increased in size. I must add this was positive for her as she was slightly insecure about this, I was happy with her already. Unfortunately they were tender for about 4 months(and out of bounds!).

I'm sorry for the horror story. Good luck.

[the Empress]

Which pill is best will depend on exactly what you need it for - is it just for contraception or to treat other conditions/hormonal problems? In any case, your doctor would probably be the best to advise. Dianette I know is not usually prescribed solely for contraceptive purposes as it has higher risks. For this reason it's not technically free - unless you ask you ask your doctor to mark it as a contraceptive, thus saving £6. Maybe someting to be aware of when being prescribed! Also, the pills are tiny. You should have no problem swallowing them! (I used to be incapable of swallowing pills, but these were easy). Prepare for mood swings coming on and off them, you may find yourself crying for no reason at all . . but I've never noticed the weight thing. In fact, I didn't know this was an issue:S

[Cuchulainn]

Can anyone give any more advice on this? I've been on the pill before (Microgynon 30), only for 3 months, about a year ago, and I'm thinking of going back on. It was great for my periods, made them much shorter and less painful, but also made me very tired all the time, and totally killed my (usually high) sex drive. Even if anyone knows of any good websites to research online? Thanks!

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'You can find a job and sort your life out any time, the pub closes in five hours'

[fluffy]

I've tried four pills. they gave me different symptoms with each, but each one stopped my sex driving..

[hr]

dev ksereis, alla eimai trella erotebmevei mazi sou..

[papercutheart]

The pill is for women...everyone knows your sex can't drive anyway

[The Jaspar]

If you skip Monday's pill, take two on Tuesday. That's about the only thing I learned during health class in my last year at school.

[SchizophrenicCabbage]

Gain weight or gain a baby...

I think I may have gained a little weight since being on the Pill. However, I have been rather stressed recently (exams and essays, obviously!) and turn to the biscuit tin in those sorts of times! Also, I think the popular thought that the Pill makes you gain weight was an excuse I gave myself as to why I could eat more. However, saying that, the weight gain has only been a pound or two, if that.

[Just me]

I am on Diannette and have been for about at year. In the first few weeks I had quite a few side affects, I was extremely moody, had tender breasts, had an incurable appetite and no sex drive whatsoever.

The moodiness and the appetite thing stopped after a few weeks. My breasts were quite tender for about a month but then that stopped completely. However, my sex drive didn't return until I had been on it for about 6 months...but it did come back and it made up for lost time

As for the positive side effects, my spots cleared up completely, my facial hair (which was the reason I chose Dianette) reduced a lot and my usually heavy, lengthy and irregular periods became 4 day, very light monthlies.

Each Pill is as reliable as the next (if you remember to take it properly!) but Dianette is particularly good as it is still effective as long as you take it within 36 hours of your last one.

The only long term side effect of Dianette that I know about is that it can be quite harsh on your liver (says the boozy student!) so you shouldn't really take it for more than a few years at a time. As for gaining weight, during the first few weeks I gained a little weight due to the massive appetite but that sorted itself out a few weeks after.

On the whole, I would recommend it!

[Guest]

Try the 5 year hormone rod which is surgically implanted in your arm. no side effects and very reliable and no worries about forgetting it!!