your birth control PILL experiences

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

Did you gain/lose weight?

Headaches?

breast swelling?

period changes?

appetite changes?

nausea?

WHAT PILL ARE YOU TAKING? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON IT?

wifeygonzo

I've been on the pill for 10 years. I don't think my weight gain is because of the pill. No headaches, breast swelling before my period, my period is SO LIGHT (which is awesome), no changes in appetite, no nausea, lack of sex drive

keiraev

Been taking it on and off for 12 Years an been on my current one (Marvelon) for 5.

I think it made my proportions a bit bigger- but I don't think the pill made me gain weight- eating too much did that!

My current pill is amazing tbh I've had no side effects at all whereas other types have made me a bit moody or have bad skin.

I generally take 3 packs back to back then have a break in between. Never done me any harm- touchwood!

AnninStPaul

I actually take them to REDUCE headaches -- by reducing the hormonal variations. I take microgestin continuously, no withdrawal weeks.

agthorn

Ortho-Tricyclin, took it for 4 years, tried depo provera shots for a year (they sucked) and I've been back on the ortho for the last 7.5 years and counting. I think they tried me on Ortho-tricyclin low for a year but I didn't like that either so I take the full strength version.

No weight issues that I can pinpoint from the pill (definitely gained a ton of weight on the depo shots though, which I mostly lost when I stopped getting the shots). No headaches/nausea/changes in appetite. I do get breast tenderness...most of the time it's not too bad, I usually just make sure to wear a sports bra to bed and occasionally need to put a heating pad on my chest for a while. My periods went from 12-13 days before the pill (I didn't know until I was 18 that that was unusually lengthy) to about 3 days now.

xonicolette

I used to be on the Nuva ring and it made me gain weight and had breast swelling. When I decided to stop using it, my period went out of control and I ended up having to go back onto the pill. I currently am taking the depo provera shots, I'm not sure how it's going since I just got it about a month ago. And so far, everything has been normal for me.

Spruillie03

Been on various pills for 13 years. These days I get VERY bloated, headaches for 3 days and slight cramps. But over all, it's better than when I'm OFF the pill.

dragonbait0126

I've been on the pill for 13.5 years. I started with Ortho-novum. I've been on Ortho-tricyclen, Yasmin and now Yaz. I started taking it to combat the cramps. It was horrible. Those are now gone. Actually on Yaz, I don't have a period at all because it's only a 4 day sugar pill. To be honest, I don't know how much of a role the pill played into my weight gain or if it did at all. I was on it for about 5 years before I started gaining weight. The only one I had an issue with was the Ortho-novum and it just made me crazy. I didn't feel like myself at all. When I switched to the Tricyclen it was a huge difference. My doctor switched me over to Yasmin because it has lower hormones and a diuretic and then to Yaz for the same reason to try and help with my weight loss. Hasn't helped yet.

cindy4mica

I've been off the pill for the first time (without trying to get pregnant) since I was 16, and it's wreaking havoc on my skin! I didn't even break out this much when I was a teenager! And my periods are super crazy heavy now. But I'm reluctant to go back on it for fear of gaining weight. The only other issue I had is that if I ever forgot to take it one night and had to "double-up" the next day, it would make me excrutiatingly nauseous. I was on Ortho Novum 777 and one other one (the name escapes me), and I don't recall any difference in side effects.

ElenaElliottx3

Did you gain/lose weight? gained but it wasn't from the pills but from poor eating and no exercise but the pills prob helped make the pounds stick.

Headaches? none

breast swelling? not swelling..but my breasts did get larger

period changes? my usual 5-6 days on no bc was cut down to 3 !

appetite changes? none

nausea? none

WHAT PILL ARE YOU TAKING? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON IT? kariva, a year

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

I am taking the generic version of Apri. I just started that yesterday. I don't usually get crazy side effecs from birth control actually. Some breast tenderness but that's all. I started depo 10 years ago and it was before puberty has even hit (stupid decision and not due to sexual activity). Then I went on the pill...always low dose. I was on loestrin fe and liked that so I will see what this is like.

ChristineMarie89

i took ortho tri low and it didnt cause weight gain jus cudnt take it off. of course only had a period every 3 months for a couple days. nothing else changed.
i had an iud(mirena) it caused a terrible weight gain tht wouldnt come off terrible cramping and at first had spotting for 6 months then no more period.
then switched to novum(something like tht) didnt effect weight at all but made me feel like crap and did give me headaches didnt change anything else though

kaleas

I tried Depo when I was 16 - 17 for a few years and it wa a terrible decision. I attribute it to my weight gain, my mood swings, and my loss of a sex drive. My periods were irregular. I personally think I was too young yet to be messing with my hormonal balance.

From there I went to Yaz and enjoyed it somewhat. I didn't seem to gain any additional weight. My skin was clear and my mood swings went away. My periods were also mild, predictable, and pretty short. Again though, my sex drive went incredibly down hill, and at the age of 20 and being in a serious relationship, it wasn't working.

Since I've decided to just go back to keeping track of my days and ovulation, and using a condom instead of pills. I'd rather not keep messing with my natural hormonal balance.

EmCarroll1990

I was on Tri-ceclin Lo (don't know if that's remotely spelled right), I gained some weight, like 15 lbs, and on 5' 4" , that's a lot of weight. Thankfully a lot of that went to my chest, so not too many complaints. Period and such was extremely regular, could plan it almost to the hour. But I've switched now to the Depo shot, so I don't menstruate any more, haven't noticed a weight gain from this though, probably due to my choosing to loose weight the moment I went on it. It seems to be working fine for me, and I have a friend on it as well who isn't having any issues. Oh, also yes, lower sex drive and dryness, which is horrible.

Marley112586

My birth control pill experience is a horror story. Bled straight for a month then developed 5 blood clots in my lungs...to be hospitalized nearly dead because one went to my heart. Later to find its because I have factor V lieden mutation and lupus....way to test my blood doc.....

vinylscratch

I gained weight, had a ravenous appetite, and literally had these bizarre mood swings that would make me a RAGING MONSTER and then I would go curl up on the couch crying and shaking because I was convinced the entire world was out to get me.

I have anxiety & PTSD so I'm pretty sure it exacerbated it which is the understatement of the century.

No birth control for me ever.

umachanxo

Did you gain/lose weight?
Not from the pill. I gained when when I was taking the pill, but that's because I was being lazy and not eating right. I don't blame the pill for that.

Headaches?
Migraines. But I get that with any pill.

breast swelling?
Yes.

period changes?
Regular period. Lighter flow. Less pain.

appetite changes?
No.

nausea?
First week of every month I have morning sickness xD

WHAT PILL ARE YOU TAKING? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON IT?
Tri-Cyclen Lo and I've been on it for nearly a year.

kjones3535

I just stopped taking Loseasonique. It was terrible. I had periods for weeks on end, my hair started falling out, I gained several lbs, and I had noooo sex drive. The only good thing is that it helped with my headaches. I would not recommend this to anyone.

MelissaL582

I've been on the 7/7/7 pill for some years now. As for the weight gain- I would say no, that was my own doing. My periods were regular and I didn't have any complications with it.

laughingnome

I was on the pill years ago, no weight gain or loss but I had MAJOR PMS. Had to stop before I killed someone.

acstansell

I started off taking Mercette - worst. experience. ever. Paranoia, anxiety, heavy clotting, bleeding, oily skin and hair, and gained 6 pounds. I was on that for 6 months. Then I switched to LoEstrin 1/20 Fe... and I've been on that ever since. Lost 8lbs (initially), no oily face/hair, no bloating, no PMS, very light periods (when I have them - I used to get menstrual migraines so I was taking pills continuously). Downside - I have no sex drive. I love my husband and am physically attracted to him, but I feel no desire to have sex. I've been considering going off the pill in a few months because I've not had sex in almost two months because of a lack of sex drive.

Also, my menstrual migraines stopped after I lost 20lbs. Go figure...

theoneandonlybrookie

Well, I was on the pill from age 18 - 22, successfully, with no problems. I believe it was Ortho-Tri.

Then, I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts after having my period for months straight. I switched pills. Didn't think to use a condom during the switch...

9 months later had twins. So, be careful when you transition. Yes, I realize this was MY fault. To be fair, I just didn't know that would cause the pill to be ineffective because I never stopped taking it.

I'm now on Sprintec, in spite of having my tubes tied, because I once again have ovarian cysts. I have had no problems and have never noticed any weight gain. I know this isn't true for everybody, though.

My1985Freckles

I took Sprintec for about 5 months. It was AWFUL! It made me very very B!c#y. For my hubby's sake I switched lol

It also made me gain weight like crazy! In those 5 months I put on 35-40 pounds!

I'm now on Trivora. No negative side effects at all and the weight is coming off!

TeeferTiger

I used to be on Loestrin 30, then went onto Depo Provera injection (gained a little weight, periods stopped-yay!- but coming off it was a nightmare!!! NOT recommended) and now on Microgynon 30.

I suffer from chronic migraines anyway so I wouldn't really notice if I got headaches, but I don't recall getting headaches from the pill before the migraines started in 2010. I only went onto the pill originally to stop heavy, painful periods so there haven't really been any side effects for me.

lexximan

I was on yaz for about 2-3 years and It screwed me up!

I would be extra moody, lost my libido and gained weight.

(the gaining may not entirely be the pills fault but it hindered losing weight as well)

No More for me ever!!! Havent been on it in almost 2 years. Feels great!

coyoteo

I took switched from pill to patch to depo to nuva ring for 10 years, the last few years with no breaks for periods (dr prescribed). My cycles were perfectly normal before this. I stopped birth control for 2 years and am apparently broken now, lol. Oh, and i gained 75 pounds very very rapidly with depo. If you want more info, message me. I would be leary about any long term use of birth control. There are many more stories like mine. Granted, there are many "just fine" stories too. *shrug* I just wish I knew now what I didn't know then.

mjhuff1121

Did you gain/lose weight? I did gain, but I think that come from cooking 3 meals a day everyday once I got married, as opposed to the pill itself. But I do think it made it harder to take the weight off.

Headaches? nope

breast swelling? not swelling..but my breasts did get larger - alot. haha.

period changes?I was SUPER regular before starting them, and I haven't had one since I started 2.5 years ago. Doc says its safe, I just managed to get one that was a perfect hormonal balance for my body, which is rare.

appetite changes? none

nausea? none

WHAT PILL ARE YOU TAKING? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON IT? LoEstrin 24 FE, 2.5 years.

luwalmsley1983

Did you gain/lose weight? No changes, just unhealthy habits made weight gain

Headaches? Get them due to other meds I'm on anyway

breast swelling? No - I wish!

period changes? Lighter, shorter

appetite changes? Nope

nausea? None

WHAT PILL ARE YOU TAKING? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON IT? Yasmin, probs 5 years

rugbyphreak

i am on the generic form of yaz. i get horrible migraines when i go off of the pill to have my period. i didn't gain any weight, thankfully, but i have been on it for over 4 years, so i think my body is pretty well adjusted now. no babies accidentally conceived! on a bad note, losing my extra weight has screwed up my periods. i get them all the time now, no need to stop taking the pills even, and last 2-3 weeks at a time. my body is pissed...

agthorn

I tried Depo when I was 16 - 17 for a few years and it wa a terrible decision. I attribute it to my weight gain, my mood swings, and my loss of a sex drive. My periods were irregular. I personally think I was too young yet to be messing with my hormonal balance.

It wasn't any better for me at 22. Gained over 25 pounds in a year and instead of having regular periods I would just spot for like 6 weeks straight, a week or two off and then another 6 weeks of spotting. I gave it a whole year to see if things settled down but it never got any better and it was a total pain to schedule the injection appointments anyways.

theoneandonlybrookie

Oh but let me add that my Sprintec made my breasts grow almost overnight. Significantly. I don't see that as a drawback, though. :bigsmile: