Girls, have you ever tried taking birth control pills?

[Anonymous]

I am thinking seriously of taking those pills, any girls here have tried them before? What are there advantages and disadvantages? And do they actually make you gain weight or make your breasts enlarged?
I am 130 lbs and 17

Updates

+1 y

Their*

[agurlllll]

I've been taking birth control pills for a while now. I've been on three different brands, Lo loestrin, Loryna, and Gianvi. I take them to regulate my period. I am not sexually active. These are the pros and cons I've expierenced.

Pros
-prevent against pregnancy if you decide to have sex
-can help ease menstrual cramps
-can help lighten/shorten your period
-regulate your cycle

Cons
-you have to take them the same time every single day (I set an alarm)
-can cause nausea the first month you take them
- I tried a progesterone only pill (lo loestrin) and broke out then switched

Birth control has really helped me with managing my periods and I am much more comfortable at that time of the month. But it might not be for everyone so visit your gynecologist! They can help pick the best birth control for you. Also don't feel bad if you have to try a few different ones.

[Asker]

That was helpful, but did you gain weight?

[agurlllll]

No but I wanted to gain weight lol. If you do gain weight on the pill you can always switch to another one that might be better for you :)

[Anonymous]

Yes, they can make you gain weight, and smoking is really risky, you can get blood clots. Benefits? They're awesome :) Period only lasts 3 days, can help or even clear up acne, keeps your emotions in check through hormone therapy, I get almost ZERO PMS symptoms, and I always know when it's coming. But if you don't take them at the same time every day, they aren't even half as effective for actual baby prevention, so I recommend still using condoms. I personally prefer the orthoevra patch. You get 3 stick on patches, you use one each week for 3 weeks, then the 4th week you get your flow. More expensive, but more effective for regularity. The shot WILL make you gain weight. You may be too young for an IUD, pump (an implant in your arm) , or the nuva ring. Pills are your best bet to avoid weight gain.

[Asker]

Does it affect infertility?

[Opinion Owner]

Not usually. It takes a few months to completely get out of your system, but you can stop anytime when you're ready for kids.

[Kaylove96]

I know for me it hasn't caused weight gain, it made my period about 7 days long, its definitely helped with my acne big time, now it's predictable for me too. And it's common to think that they're 100% effective and it's like a myth, but no matter how good you follow things nothing is 100% except abstinence. If you have sex you're at risk for STDs and pregnancy no matter what.

[Kaylove96]

Im 18 a nd I've had birth control pills since I was 13 in February 2010. Until this past October I was on a pill that regulated my periods and made a 28 day cycle. Now it's a newer extended release form where Im supposed to get my period every 3 months. I got prescribed it because of my heavy, painful, irregular periods/cycles. They help with period cramps, regulate your periods, I've heard of them making your breasts larger but thats not true. At least for me. They can make your breasts feel tender all the time. I never experienced weight gain with it.

[Asker]

I have noticed it differs from on person to another, thanks anyway I'll take em

[Kaylove96]

It is different for everyone because everyone's body is different and it's about finding the right pill. With the other kind I took until October, it took 4 or 5 tries before I found one that works and my gynecologist told me that it takes about 3 months to tell after starting it. Thats why in the beginning I saw my gynecologist every 3 months, then every 6 months and now once a year. It's just about getting regular with the right one.

[Anonymous]

Depp proveradoes more harm than good. Everyone that I know who has taken it gained lots of weight. It has negative side effects so I would avoid that.

[Asker]

Do they have another negative effect beside gaining weight?

[Opinion Owner]

Hot flashes and heavy periods. But they gain a lot of weight. They blew up all of sudden. It's a shot given every 13 weeks I believe.