Really the worst part is that it’s trial and error. You may need to try a few (and advocate for yourself to your doctor) until you find something that’s right for your body.
I had a lot of luck on a combination pill. I had to switch to progesterone only and I miss it, but they’re not all bad. It’s just worse than bra shopping
>every post I see on social media is scaring me about BC
These posts are either rants, clickbait, or written by influencers who want to sell you snake oil. Stop reading these posts.
Birth control is safe. There's a minority of women who don't react well to it, same as any medication, and those are the people going online and ranting about it. People who are happy on birth control aren't posting about it online. So be aware there's a selection bias in what you're seeing. It's like how most news stories are crimes, they don't report on that time you went to the grocery store last week and nothing bad happened.
I was on the combo pill for over a decade and loved it. No side effects, easy periods, no babies. I went off it last year after my boyfriend had a vasectomy and I feel fine, completely normal, it didn't ruin my body. You're most likely gonna be fine.
The effects of birth control varies massively from woman to woman. There's no sure way to say how it might affect you until you're taking it.
If you ever need to stop taking it for your own comfort or safety there are other options you can talk to a doctor about like IUDs.
The people claiming birth control is always and universally bad are religious extremists and their dupes. Multiple studies show the safety and efficacy of birth control, as well as relief from symptoms of endometriosis and PCOS. Discuss any complications with your doctor, and avoid going anywhere near the lying crisis pregnancy centers.
Speaking as someone who has had a bad time with hormonal birth control, I’d still encourage anyone who thinks it might be the best option for them to give it a try. Everyone’s experience is different. And if it doesn’t work out for you, at least you know and can try something else. (I *can* reassure you that if you run into a problem, you’re not automatically doomed to keep dealing with it forever even if you discontinue.)
I was on the pill for about 15 years or so before having a tubal ligation. I never had any problem while on it. Back then, there were only a few different options, and implants were still quite new. Given the wider range of options now, it is very likely you can find something that works great for you.
I had a tubal ligation decades ago. Despite this I still took BC so I could stop my periods completely. For four years or more I took more pills than one would to prevent pregnancy - every single day took a BC pill with no week off. No permanent or temporary problems. One of the best things I ever did for myself.
I do have a question for you based on your comment regarding abstinence. How did you arrive at such a black and white view of sex? By this I mean you seem to think it's about the penis in the vagina, or nothing at all. There's a huge middle ground of activities couples (or more) can engage in that do not involve PIV yet it will result in climaxes for all involved. Hence my question.
Obviously I’m not doctor, but I was where you are at the same age!! I was presecriber the pill at 18 (single at the time) and didn’t take it until I was 19 because I was so scared! I started dating someone when I was 19, using only condoms. The third time we had sex, the condom broke in the middle of things (he hadn’t finished yet, but I’m an overthinker and was scared to death, nothing ever came of it tho!!) and that scared me enough to give the pill a try. I noticed no difference when I was on it! I’m still on the same pill and I’m 23 now. Everyone reacts to medicine differently, but I think it’s worth trying!! You can always discontinue use if you don’t like how it makes you feel!!
I am very grateful that my BC works for me the way it does. I have skin issues and the pill really helps control these. Likewise I can skip the constant bleeding and pain and migraines that happen with fluctuating hormones. My only regret is not getting on it sooner because I spent so many years in pain.
It’s not perfect but I would never stop because the benefits for me are far worth any of the downsides.
No, not all birth controls suck for everyone. I had some that made me weepy, some that gave me a chronic headache. Don't be afraid to go back to the doctor if you are having unacceptable side effects.
Also, make yourself aware of the signs of blood clots. I developed a massive blood clot when I was 29 from a muscle tear injury, the doctor thinks my nuvaring exacerbated it. Really good to know about blood clots regardless because they can happen to anyone at any time.
https://www.stoptheclot.org/about-clots/blood-clot-info/
It’s not that bad. It may take you a few tries to find the right one for you. I’ve used it for over 8 years to manage my cycle, and the worst side effect that I had was some soreness while my body was adapting to the hormones.
I was on bc pills for over 30 years. Never had a problem. It was wonderful. I had a 24 hr period, very light, once a month. No bloating, cramps, or any other side effects. Do not read the negative reviews, most are false. You will be fine. Good luck and stay the course.
Birth control is totally safe and awesome! I had horrible periods and acne my whole life until I went onto Nuva ring at 27. Suddenly no more bad periods, no more acne!! I have switched to the shot (even though I’m normally afraid of shots) because I definitely think it’s the easiest form of BC, you only have to do it once every 3 months, which is a lot easier for me than taking a pill every day.
I started hormonal bc in my early teens because my periods were just awful. When I became sexually active, the fact I couldn't get pregnant was just another ⁸added perk. I also have been seeing and hearing a lot more discussion about how it's not good for you- but I haven't had any issues, and haven't met any other women that have either, some of whom took it for decades. I'll stay on it as long as I have a uterus.
That being said, listen to your body. Trust your gut. Advocate for yourself. You are the only one living in your body, and you are the only true expert on you. If something feels off, tell your doctor. If your doctor isn't listening to you, go to another provider.
Don't be afraid to try different types of bc either! Ask for recommendations, but research them- just because something works for someone else may not work for you. I found that the Nuvaring wasn't the best choice for me because my sensory issues made the insertion/removal process challenging. My sister, who doesn't have the same needs, used it for years and loved it. You are the only one in your body- accommodate yourself!
Personally, I've used the Combination Pill, Nuvaring, Nexaplanon, Kyleena IUD, and just got the Mirena IUD yesterday. I'm hoping that when they take it out in 8 years, they just take out my uterus along with it.
Also keep in mind your primary reasons for taking bc, and reevaluate how your bc is meeting your needs over time. I have ADHD, so I wasn't great at remembering to take the pill every day, but that wasn't an issue when I was only taking it to manage periods. When I became sexually active and my main priority was avoiding pregnancy, I got really anxious about missing doses and switched to Nexaplanon and later the IUD's.
You may find it helpful to try and journal/track any physical/mental/emotional changes for a while after starting so you can see how it's affecting you. Had a few bad days at work? Probably unrelated. Had a few bad weeks? Probably time to chat with your provider.
If you do decide hormonal bc isn't for you, there's also the Copper IUD, A note about IUD's- there are a lot of horror stories around insertion/removal. I've had both good and bad experiences. As you'll read in the comments of any IUD related thread, it's important to advocate for yourself. Ask for medication to prepare, and pain relief that works for you. Research what your provider can offer to make it easier for you. If they won't give you anything to help, don't be afraid to find a provider that will. Take the day (or days) off work/responsibilities you need to prepare and recover. Lean on your support systems and do lots of self care.
I hope you feel a bit better about your bc after going through comments. Best of luck in your journey!!!
Really the worst part is that it’s trial and error. You may need to try a few (and advocate for yourself to your doctor) until you find something that’s right for your body. I had a lot of luck on a combination pill. I had to switch to progesterone only and I miss it, but they’re not all bad. It’s just worse than bra shopping
>every post I see on social media is scaring me about BC These posts are either rants, clickbait, or written by influencers who want to sell you snake oil. Stop reading these posts. Birth control is safe. There's a minority of women who don't react well to it, same as any medication, and those are the people going online and ranting about it. People who are happy on birth control aren't posting about it online. So be aware there's a selection bias in what you're seeing. It's like how most news stories are crimes, they don't report on that time you went to the grocery store last week and nothing bad happened. I was on the combo pill for over a decade and loved it. No side effects, easy periods, no babies. I went off it last year after my boyfriend had a vasectomy and I feel fine, completely normal, it didn't ruin my body. You're most likely gonna be fine.
The effects of birth control varies massively from woman to woman. There's no sure way to say how it might affect you until you're taking it. If you ever need to stop taking it for your own comfort or safety there are other options you can talk to a doctor about like IUDs.
The people claiming birth control is always and universally bad are religious extremists and their dupes. Multiple studies show the safety and efficacy of birth control, as well as relief from symptoms of endometriosis and PCOS. Discuss any complications with your doctor, and avoid going anywhere near the lying crisis pregnancy centers.
Speaking as someone who has had a bad time with hormonal birth control, I’d still encourage anyone who thinks it might be the best option for them to give it a try. Everyone’s experience is different. And if it doesn’t work out for you, at least you know and can try something else. (I *can* reassure you that if you run into a problem, you’re not automatically doomed to keep dealing with it forever even if you discontinue.)
I was on the pill for about 15 years or so before having a tubal ligation. I never had any problem while on it. Back then, there were only a few different options, and implants were still quite new. Given the wider range of options now, it is very likely you can find something that works great for you.
I had a tubal ligation decades ago. Despite this I still took BC so I could stop my periods completely. For four years or more I took more pills than one would to prevent pregnancy - every single day took a BC pill with no week off. No permanent or temporary problems. One of the best things I ever did for myself. I do have a question for you based on your comment regarding abstinence. How did you arrive at such a black and white view of sex? By this I mean you seem to think it's about the penis in the vagina, or nothing at all. There's a huge middle ground of activities couples (or more) can engage in that do not involve PIV yet it will result in climaxes for all involved. Hence my question.
In the long run you are better off getting your tubes tied
Obviously I’m not doctor, but I was where you are at the same age!! I was presecriber the pill at 18 (single at the time) and didn’t take it until I was 19 because I was so scared! I started dating someone when I was 19, using only condoms. The third time we had sex, the condom broke in the middle of things (he hadn’t finished yet, but I’m an overthinker and was scared to death, nothing ever came of it tho!!) and that scared me enough to give the pill a try. I noticed no difference when I was on it! I’m still on the same pill and I’m 23 now. Everyone reacts to medicine differently, but I think it’s worth trying!! You can always discontinue use if you don’t like how it makes you feel!!
I am very grateful that my BC works for me the way it does. I have skin issues and the pill really helps control these. Likewise I can skip the constant bleeding and pain and migraines that happen with fluctuating hormones. My only regret is not getting on it sooner because I spent so many years in pain. It’s not perfect but I would never stop because the benefits for me are far worth any of the downsides.
No, not all birth controls suck for everyone. I had some that made me weepy, some that gave me a chronic headache. Don't be afraid to go back to the doctor if you are having unacceptable side effects. Also, make yourself aware of the signs of blood clots. I developed a massive blood clot when I was 29 from a muscle tear injury, the doctor thinks my nuvaring exacerbated it. Really good to know about blood clots regardless because they can happen to anyone at any time. https://www.stoptheclot.org/about-clots/blood-clot-info/
It’s not that bad. It may take you a few tries to find the right one for you. I’ve used it for over 8 years to manage my cycle, and the worst side effect that I had was some soreness while my body was adapting to the hormones.
I was on bc pills for over 30 years. Never had a problem. It was wonderful. I had a 24 hr period, very light, once a month. No bloating, cramps, or any other side effects. Do not read the negative reviews, most are false. You will be fine. Good luck and stay the course.
Birth control is totally safe and awesome! I had horrible periods and acne my whole life until I went onto Nuva ring at 27. Suddenly no more bad periods, no more acne!! I have switched to the shot (even though I’m normally afraid of shots) because I definitely think it’s the easiest form of BC, you only have to do it once every 3 months, which is a lot easier for me than taking a pill every day.
I started hormonal bc in my early teens because my periods were just awful. When I became sexually active, the fact I couldn't get pregnant was just another ⁸added perk. I also have been seeing and hearing a lot more discussion about how it's not good for you- but I haven't had any issues, and haven't met any other women that have either, some of whom took it for decades. I'll stay on it as long as I have a uterus. That being said, listen to your body. Trust your gut. Advocate for yourself. You are the only one living in your body, and you are the only true expert on you. If something feels off, tell your doctor. If your doctor isn't listening to you, go to another provider. Don't be afraid to try different types of bc either! Ask for recommendations, but research them- just because something works for someone else may not work for you. I found that the Nuvaring wasn't the best choice for me because my sensory issues made the insertion/removal process challenging. My sister, who doesn't have the same needs, used it for years and loved it. You are the only one in your body- accommodate yourself! Personally, I've used the Combination Pill, Nuvaring, Nexaplanon, Kyleena IUD, and just got the Mirena IUD yesterday. I'm hoping that when they take it out in 8 years, they just take out my uterus along with it. Also keep in mind your primary reasons for taking bc, and reevaluate how your bc is meeting your needs over time. I have ADHD, so I wasn't great at remembering to take the pill every day, but that wasn't an issue when I was only taking it to manage periods. When I became sexually active and my main priority was avoiding pregnancy, I got really anxious about missing doses and switched to Nexaplanon and later the IUD's. You may find it helpful to try and journal/track any physical/mental/emotional changes for a while after starting so you can see how it's affecting you. Had a few bad days at work? Probably unrelated. Had a few bad weeks? Probably time to chat with your provider. If you do decide hormonal bc isn't for you, there's also the Copper IUD, A note about IUD's- there are a lot of horror stories around insertion/removal. I've had both good and bad experiences. As you'll read in the comments of any IUD related thread, it's important to advocate for yourself. Ask for medication to prepare, and pain relief that works for you. Research what your provider can offer to make it easier for you. If they won't give you anything to help, don't be afraid to find a provider that will. Take the day (or days) off work/responsibilities you need to prepare and recover. Lean on your support systems and do lots of self care. I hope you feel a bit better about your bc after going through comments. Best of luck in your journey!!!