A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes: I need some female advice, I am 27 (virgin) and currently not on the pill, I have been seeing this guy and we want to take things further, I have never really wanted to go on the pill because I think it messes with the female body, but I also don't want to get pregnant, I have been reading up on the pill and I am even more put off by going on it because there are so many side effects. They all say go to your GP to discuss but I have yet to find any good reports for any pills that have no side effects. Can anyone recommened a good contraceptive pill? My boyfriend says we will be fine with just condoms but I don't want to risk it? Although they are like over 95% effective.
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condom, the pill Reply to this Question Share |
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female
reader, LilPixie +, writes (16 November 2009):
When you go the doctors they'll ask you some questions and decide from that what pill would probably suit you best, but you can't know which one is best until you try it!I've been on the pill since April this year. The first pill i took was Microgynen 30, which i was fine with in the first month, but starting from my first break it made me feel incredibly sick. My doctor then put me on Yasmin, which caused me problems 'down there'. I am now on Cerazette, and so far I haven't had any problems with it.(Microgynon 30 and Yasmin are both 21 day pills, so you have a 1 week break. Cerazette is a 28 day pill, so you take it every day, non stop)Oh, and like Celtic Tiger said, if you feel something is wrong, don't let them tell you to wait. When my first one made me feel sick i was told to wait for a bit longer, but it was making me feel so sick that i couldn't do anything! Good Luck
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (16 November 2009): it will be different for everyone,visit your gp and all you can do is try and seemy own experience has not been good, I have been on 4 different pills, including yasmin, all caused weight gain (atleast up 1 dress size) all caused acne and all caused headaches.I have also tried the injects and the implant, all caused the same problems.my sister on the other hand has been on the pill for a year and she lost weight. so it works different for everyone.
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A
female
reader, celtic_tiger +, writes (15 November 2009):
I agree totally with Emily.
Where the pill is concerned it really is about trial and error. Every woman is different, and so that means a pill that works fantastically for one woman, may have horrible side effects on another. It is all down to your body, and how your body reacts to that particular pill.
You really need to discuss this with your practice nurse or GP. There are so many different brands available, that you need to talk to someone who knows how they all differ.
From my own experience, the pill messed with my emotions, and totally cracked me up emotionally and mentally. Within a week I knew that I needed to change and that it was not doing me any good at all. The nurse told me to persevere for 3 months, and by the end of 2 I was nearly suicidal. So when you do go on it, if you feel ANYTHING is wrong, dont let them fob you off and ask to be changed to a different one. You know your body and if things are not right, then say something.
What I will advise you, is that make sure you get on the pill way before you think you are going to have sex, as your system will need time to settle down, and you may be more hormonal and emotional than normal. Also tell your boyfriend what you are doing, because if he sees a sudden change in your moods he may think he has done something wrong, or you are going off him.
Condoms really are not safe to use on their own, as they can break or leak. Its better to have a back up of some form. Rather safe than sorry. If you dont get on with the pill and hormonal contraception, then once you are sexually active you can have a non-hormonal coil inserted. Sadly they won't do this until you have had sex (I practically begged them after my first pill incident). However, for the time being, the pill is an easy and efficient way of protecting yourself.
Good Luck!
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A
female
reader, ffogalilly +, writes (15 November 2009):
I take Yaz and I love it, its a very low dose pill. I have not gained any weight, and I don't get cravings or any PMS symptoms and I have a 5 day, very light period. You still need to use condoms though, just to protect yourself.
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A
female
reader, Emilysanswers +, writes (15 November 2009):
Right, asking for a "good pill" with no side effects is like asking us to recommend a "good clothing size" that will fit you perfectly.
Unless we come and prod you in some very personal places we cannot say for definite "This Pill Will Be Best For You." A pill that may be amazing for me may give you horrible side effects because our blood chemistry is not the same. It's different for everyone.
The pill will ALWAYS have some side effects because it is a hormone. Hormones do strange things.
You basically have to try a pill and give it a good 6 months to settle down. If it's not working for you after 6 months then try another. I'm 26 and I've been on 4 pills since I was 17.... I'm now on the none-hormonal coil.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Contraception/Pages/Introduction.aspx
This gives you all the options but the best advice is to go down to the family planning clinic and have a good chat with the nurses there who will actually have a lot more knowledge and experience than your doctor because they deal with it all the time.
Good Luck!! xx
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (15 November 2009): The prospectus of my birth controll pill says: "Do not suggest these pills to anyone else. Even to those with a similar medical profile/symptoms. Even if you don't register side effects, they might." Any birth control pill has this warning. Only a doctor can prescribe them. It is best (even if not always done) that they prescribe them to you after sending you to do an analysis of your hormone levels.
I have used condoms for years before using the pill. They were good quality and with a partner experienced in using them I've never had the slightest problem. If you wish to use the pill talk to a medic.
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A
female
reader, DrPsych +, writes (15 November 2009):
I have personally never used the pill because I have other medical conditions so it was unsuitable for me. I would say most of the brands have similar health risks (rare) and effectiveness issues, but your GP would probably want to check your blood pressure, weight and family history of cardiovascular problems prior to prescribing it. There are lots of other contraceptive methods available if you are concerned or unsuited to the pill. You could ask at a family planning clinic for advice on the latest methods, or find out if there is a drop-in sexual health clinic in your community (most NHS areas have them) where you can get some personalised advice. I went to such a clinic when I was in my 20's and found it helpful.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (15 November 2009): Back in the 80s it would be true. But pills have evolved a lot. The most modern ones have such a small amount of hormones, that if there is any side effects, its gonna be very sutil.I've been on a pill for 6 yrs now, and even when im not having a active sex life, i keep taking them cause it helps me a lot with PMS and the mood swings that comes along with it. The one that im currently taking is Yasmin, which is the best one i ever took, no side effects, no weight gain... just great.But you should talk to the doctor first cause there are some risk factors that may interact with the hormones and may harm you, such as smoking, high blood pressure and others.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (15 November 2009): Your GP will prescribe you a brand of pill.I have been on the pill for almost 2 years now and have not had any side effects.The pill does not mess with your body, the purpose of the pill is to make you stop ovulating so you won't get pregnant.Condom and the pill together is the best method of contraception as you're unlikely to get pregnany by being on the pill and you're unlikely to get any sexually transmitted infectins with the condom. Something to bear in mind.Another advantage of the pill is if you suffer from severe PMT, the pill can help reduce the discomfort :)All the best xo
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