I got prescribed birth control pills. Any advice?

[helloitsmethere]

Okay, I got birth control pills today to control my cycle. Anyone wants to tell me what side effects I might get, and give me some advice?

Updates

+1 y

Guys, my doctor gave me the side effects, but I just want to know how exactly common are those effects.

[Anonymous]

Well, there are multiple different types. Your doctor didn't discuss any of the options or possible side effects with you? That's fucked up.

I say that's fucked up because my girlfriend was on a birth control method that had a well documented increase in chance of developing blood clots. Her doctor didn't discuss this with her either, she just assumed it was safe. She developed multiple pulmonary embolisms and nearly died, and the only thing that any doctor's been able to tell her is that it was probably caused by her birth control.

There are methods that don't increase the risk of blood clots. Talk to your doctor, make sure they're not giving you horseshit.

[helloitsmethere]

She actually did... I just want to know how much of a risk it is to get those side effects.
I am so sorry about your girlfriend having to go through that... I hope she is doing well right now.
My doctor asked if I had any type of cancer, blood clots etc. that run in my family and my mother said no.

[Opinion Owner]

She had no family history either, but it's hard to use that as a factor, because the existence of that piece of genetics doesn't automatically mean that you'll have blood clots.

Anyway, here's the thing about risk. It's considered "low risk" because there are a couple of gene mutations that a certain number of woman have, that when combined with certain birth control methods, puts them at a high risk for blood clots. Those people are in a statistical minority, so they call it a "low risk" and they do not test for it. Instead, they just ask for your family history. But if you ARE one of those people, there's a very high chance that the combination of those things will seriously harm you, a chance that increases over time, and you can't tell which one you are until it happens or you insist that they test for it first.

Again, a statistically small group with a statistically HIGH risk for blood clots when using certain birth control methods.

[Opinion Owner]

Not trying to scare you or anything, I just really think people should be given better information about this.

[GoldMeddle]

Common side effects of oral contraceptives include: intermenstrual spotting, nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, weight gain, mood changes, missed periods, decreased libido, vaginal discharge and visual changes with contact lenses

Sounds like a great time

[GoldMeddle]

Those are the most common ones. If you have any of the following Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
Chest pain
Headaches (severe)
Eye problems (blurred vision)
Swelling or aching in the legs and thighs

Go to the ER immediately

[GoldMeddle]

Scratch that- contact your doctor immediately. If your doctor isn't available go to the emergency room. My bad.

[helloitsmethere]

damn... welp shit.
I hope I don't get these side effects and I just need it to do it's one job for the reason im taking it: not become bedridden every month

[helloitsmethere]

Thank you!

[GoldMeddle]

@helloitsmethere the ones I originally listed are common. However, common could mean 10% or 20% of women get them in which case you still aren't likely to have any.

Read this. It gives you tips on how you can prevent some side effects. For instance, take the pill with meals to alleviate nausea.

www.cosmopolitan.com/.../

[helloitsmethere]

Thank you so much!

[GoldMeddle]

@helloitsmethere If a side effect is described as common this means that in clinical trials between 1% and 10% of people experienced that side effect. Or, out of 100 people, it affected more than one, but fewer than 10, people.

Source: https://www.nps.org.au/glossary/common-side-effect

Remember, ALL side effects must be reported. That doesn't mean the drug caused them. That means someone took the drug and had this issue. Perhaps someone took the drug and bumped into a wall. They didn't necessarily bump into it because they took the drug, but that has to be reported regardless.

[GoldMeddle]

@helloitsmethere although, in the interest of being accurate, if a side effect is common it is certainly linked to the drug. So these aren't random incidents or coincidences. And it makes sense that birth control pills would case some sort of effect.

Hey, at least vomiting isn't listed as a side effect. On many drugs, that's a common side effect. And that sucks.

[helloitsmethere]

I did have one side effect of it the first day I took it: Nausea.
It was due to the fact that I took it without eating. Since I take it while I eat now, I don't have nausea again.

[GoldMeddle]

@helloitsmethere yeah, definitely eat first. Nausea sucks. That doesn't sound too bad though, compared to everything you could have gotten. Could have also been placebo if you were concerned about it.

[helloitsmethere]

True

[btbc92]

It doesn't matter how common it is, it depends on person to person. Anybody can get those side effects, especially if your immune system is weak or your body rejects the chemicals and compounds thats in them. It is still risky and your risking your life overall by taking it. Only YOU can make a decision. I was prescribed birth control before, but I refused to take it! God forbid it does something that I would regret for life. Use discernment on this. If you feel unsafe or that its unsafe for you to take it, you do NOT need to take it. There are healthier ways to make your hormones balanced. Change your diet.

[Mustachekitteh]

Aim to get an IUD instead, it doesn't fuck with you body as much as the pills.

[helloitsmethere]

The hormonal IUD?

[Mustachekitteh]

You can get the copper one.

[helloitsmethere]

No, I'm actually taking it to control my periods so that they don't cripple me every month. I'm not currently sexually active lol.
Plus my doctor said copper IUDs make your periods worse, because the copper inflames the endometrium and since I already have bad periods, I really don't want that.

[Mustachekitteh]

With skyla it just depends on the month, most of the time it's not bad. Normally any pains that happen are before my period starts, then end once it does.

[Mustachekitteh]

Though the pain isn't bad and doesn't cause any crippling of everyday activities.

[madhatters4]

depends on the specific type of pill and then i would look up the drug side effects on webmd or some other reliable site. the prescription should also list potential side effects

[babeeeone]

I've heard it messes with your hormones and makes you gain weight

[helloitsmethere]

I don't mind gaining weight tbh I'm underweight.

[Triss]

But be careful if you gain that's completely unhealthy

[madelacroix]

Side effects: chiseled abs.

[helloitsmethere]

lolz sure

[TokyoGhoulLover]

... one sued doctor?

[helloitsmethere]

Don't worry, she gave me the risks and side effects, I just want to know how exactly common they are.

[TokyoGhoulLover]

oh. (._.) maybe u should ask the sued doctor