Birth Control Pill: How many use it?

[LikeMinds321]

How many women are on the Birth Control Pill?

The men of couples can reply as well as the women who post.

I didn't make this a poll because I'd like comments too, if you care to share why you like/or don't like using the pill.

When I used the pill, I liked it because I knew exactly when I was going to have my period. I would think that would be an advantage for swingers who want to plan ahead for play dates.

It's been so long since I've been on the pill or read about b.c. methods that I'm not up-to-date on how the other birth control methods for women work, especially the accuracy in knowing when your period will begin. Do all b.c. methods have your periods arriving on a specific date? Mine always did when I was on the pill.

Maybe some of you can update me.

LM

[NCfuncouple98]

I'm on the Depo shot. I ran a poll about this a few months ago - have heard how it can lower your sex drive. We haven't dealt with that problem. Although there are some weeknights I have no drive, but I attest that more to raising 3 children and everything that goes with that!

I smoke and am over 35, so the pill was not an option.

With the DEPO, I am not even getting a period, which is very common. I'm ok with that! I still get my normal mood swings, bloating, etc.

I have also read that being on DEPO for more than 2 years can result in bone density issues, but we plan on being surgically fixed before the 2 years are up.

[LikeMinds321]

Thanks, NCfuncouple98!

That was info I didn't know about DEPO: shouldn't be on it for more than 2 years, can result in bone density issues, and NO Periods!...WOW!

When I was on the Birth Control Pill the dosage they gave women back then was so much higher than it is today. I'm surprised I never grew a third eye from taking the stronger dosage for 15 years.

LM

[fun4Ds]

Originally Posted by LikeMinds321

I'm surprised I never grew a third eye from taking the stronger dosage for 15 years.

Having a third eye, would definatly be a form of birth control

Yikes

[IvoryTowers]

I'm not currently on the pill, but up until Feb of last year I was, for 12 years.

For me, the pros were shorter, lighter periods, clearer skin, fewer cramps, fewer PMS symptoms and of course, absolute certainty about when I was getting my period. I had it down to the hour!

For about 9 or 10 years, I had no side effects that weren't positive. But the last few years, my sex drive began to decline. It took a while to notice (at first I thought I was just busy or stressed or...), but when I realized that I literally had no sexual thoughts, I knew something was wrong. So I got fixed and now my sex drive is back and better than ever!

If you're done having children, I recommend one or the other in partnership get surgery. It's actually quite easy for women now as well as men (I was done in 20 minutes, and walked out of recovery in 45. I had almost no pain after the first day) and the absolute safety is a wonderful thing.

[Speed & Trixie]

I'm on the pill now, but had a really difficult time finding a birth control that works well with my body. I was on Depo for awhile (loved having no periods, but it was just too many hormones all at once and messed with my moods AND KILLED my sex drive). I have tried the patch as well, which was terrible -- I was always feeling sick and my skin's too sensitive for the adhesive (plus you're not supposed to hot tub with them... "F" that!).

So now, after many pills later (one made me throw up all night, every night), I'm on Desogen, which works just fine. I LOVE that my periods are predictable (always start Tuesday, early evening) and I can change my "schedule" as needed. For example, started changing my cycle a few months in advance to ensure I wouldn't get my period when I was doing field studies in Costa Rica. No electricity or running water? I'd rather take a pack of pills than a pack of tampons

[Speed & Trixie]

Ivory Towers, do you know if you have to be of a certain age for that? I'd love to get "fixed" (I have never wanted kids, neither does Speed) but I've heard they won't do it unless you've actually had kids. I'm 30 and would love love LOVE to not have to be on synthetic hormones the rest of my life.....

[N8ture Girl]

Originally Posted by IvoryTowers

If you're done having children, I recommend one or the other in partnership get surgery. It's actually quite easy for women now as well as men (I was done in 20 minutes, and walked out of recovery in 45. I had almost no pain after the first day) and the absolute safety is a wonderful thing.

WOW, I hope mine goes as well as yours did!! Keeping my fingers crossed

I havent been on the pill in 20 years. I am not crazy about taking pills unless I have to. Hubby is fixed, so I never had to worry about getting pregnant til we started swinging.
While condoms are used when swinging with the exception of special play partners, we decided that just for added safety I would get my tubes tied. And since I have no need for my period, I am getting the NovaSure done at the same time.

Trixie I dont think it matters if you have kids or not. Its your body and if the Dr refuses to do it there are plenty out there who will. I am 37 and my Dr just said that if there was any chance I wanted kids then dont do it. Other wise we can schedule it when you want. I said great!

[Speed & Trixie]

N8ture Girl, what is NovaSure? I think I might want some o' that too

And please do let us (me ) know how it goes. Best wishes!

[IvoryTowers]

Good luck N8turGrl!

Trixie, I also don't think there's a specific age for tubal ligation. But you will need to convince your gyn that you aren't going to change your mind and sue her. I was 41 and had been with the same doctor for a decade, always quite firm in my "no child" policy.

So if you have a good relationship with your gyn, talk to her and see what she says.

[N8ture Girl]

Originally Posted by Speed & Trixie

N8ture Girl, what is NovaSure? I think I might want some o' that too

And please do let us (me ) know how it goes. Best wishes!

A exerpt from their website:

"The NovaSure procedure is a quick, safe, simple, one-time endometrial ablation treatment. This minimally invasive procedure controls heavy bleeding by using energy to remove the lining of the uterus. The average treatment time is about 90 seconds 1, and only needs to be performed once to lighten or stop your periods. No pretreatment drugs are required and NovaSure can be performed in the hospital or in your doctor's office.

Without the side effects of hormones or the risks of hysterectomy, NovaSure has a quick recovery time so you can get back to your life sooner. Most women experience no pain after the procedure, and can return to work and regular activities the next day."

The rest of the info:
NovaSure - About the NovaSure Endometrial Ablation Procedure

I am most excited about this!! There is a thread talking about this in the Advice on life section. I'll let you know how this goes too!

[rpu3]

To keep from getting too far off the original topic, the NovaSure discussion is located here.

Back on topic:

I was on the pill until age 28. I don't recall any problems with the pill back then.

I've used nothing since, and my periods were predictable, in that I could pin-point it's start time to 12 hours.

I tried the Pill again in July 2008 because my period was going to occur during our vacation. The entire vacation. I was not happy. I wanted to try taking the Pill continuously after doing the necessary research. However, the MD, due to being 40, was only willing to give me three months worth, and it was Lo/Ovral, and while it did work to manipulate the timing where I needed it, I'm also convinced it was too low of a dosage.

I had breakthrough bleeding all three months which wasn't fun. My MD wasn't willing to extend the prescription or give a stronger dose and I am now waiting for my body to readjust back to no hormonal influence. It's obviously a bit peeved at the hormonal influence, because after 3 months of being off the pill, the start date is still unpredictible, which makes trying to plan a PITA. Hopefully it settles back into a predictible routine, like it used to be for years, soon.

[The Fuse]

rpu3: wow, best of luck with all of that.

LikeMinds321: I'm on the pill. A little over a year ago I switched to one of the kinds where you only get your period once every three months. I looooove that. I also love knowing what day my period will come, which has been the case since I first went on birth control pills over 20 years ago. Since I'm 42, I sometimes roll my eyes when I take it because the chances of me getting pregnant are diminishingly small, but since the consequences of a "black swan" event would be severe, I keep taking it. Now, the added benefit of only having my period every three months is a big incentive.

I have noticed that I get breakthrough bleeding easily if I miss a pill or two over a few weeks. That never happened with my old pills.

It is a little weird though, that I seem to get PMS for several days during the second month of pills. At least, I think I have been through enough cycles now to recognize the pattern. Or perhaps I am just a regular bloated bitch with a backache. Wait, maybe that's the same thing.

Oh yes, since we started swinging, I have changed the day I start my pill pack. Now my period always comes on a Sunday, so it doesn't interfere with Friday or Saturday night activities. Better living through chemistry :-).

[curioussnk]

I have done many different forms of BS..the pill, the Nuvaring, the patch...loved the good side effects..predictable periods, or making it to have no periods etc.

But after having my son I realized that there was no sex drive....not lowered...i mean NONE. I never got that warm fuzzy feeling. So Dec 07 I had my tubes tied and that was awesome. Had it done on Wed, went Christmas shopping all day Thursday!

However, I started back having heavy periods...7 days long...heavy like a flood. So I had the Novasure Dec 08...have not had a period since! Both options were the best for me! I would recommend to anyone.

[JustAskJulie]

I've been on the pill for about 10 years. I started on the depo shot and hated the side effects so I went to the pill. I love the regularity of it (knowing exactly when my period will be and being able to move it if scheduling requires). I went off it for a while after my ex had a vascectomy. Having been on it then coming off my system was totally whacked out and I ended up having a period like every 2 weeks for several months. That got old quick so I back on it just to put things back on an even keel and have stayed on it for bc since.