(no subject)

[sherihartnett.livejournal.com]

hihi i just joined this group.. hope you guys don't mind?! but i was wondering what do the birth control pills do? not like i'm having sex but what does it do to your period and stuff? thanks so much~!! ^-^

Comments

heh..

[sherihartnett.livejournal.com]

heh.. sorry i forgot to ask what you guys think are the pros and cons of taking it?? thank you!

[amylynn.livejournal.com]

Pros: makes your period predictable if it's irregular, usually makes the flow lighter, usually decreases menstrual cramps, prevents babies.
Cons: sore boobs, increased risk of depression, have to remember to take it every day, may increase risk of some types of cancer.
I'm sure there are more, in both categories, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. And the only BC pill I'm familiar with is Ortho Tri-Cyclen; other pills may have different effects... you get the point.
-amy, who will now add a medical disclaimer: I am not a doctor, so go ask yours. ;)

[urania.livejournal.com]

i'm on orthotrycyclen, have been very happy with it....
all that she said above, plus: there are a slew of *possible* side effects; most people only get a couple. one of the more common ones is nausea for the first couple months; you can make that better by taking the pill with at least a glass of water or milk, and taking it at night (as opposed to in the morning) so you sleep off the worst of it. some people here, i know, have had bad experiences with the pill...it just seems some people's bodies respond better (or worse!) than others. If one particular kind (brand or formulation) doesn't work for you, try another--it may take several tries to find one that "clicks" with your body's chemistry.

i'm told that the pill works by chemically making the body "think it's pregnant" so it can't re-impregnate....but i am uncertain here. ask your doc, or let one of the better-informed ppl here (there are many :) let you know.

one final note i feel obliged to add: even if you're not having sex now, it's useful to know you're "covered" if the time comes--but remember that the pill, though it has a low failure rate if you're taking it at roughly the same time every day, does *not* prevent STDs. --end obligatory note--

-becca

[fianna.livejournal.com]

Birth Control Pills stop you from ovulating and therefore you cannot get pregnant as there is no egg for the little spermies to try to impregnate. You must, however, take them at the same time every day in order to keep safe from pregnancy. Also, like the person above said, it absolutely does not protect from STDs, so be really careful and always wear a condom if you don't know the sexual history of the person you are sleeping with. :)

the Pill

[scarlett75.livejournal.com]

Birth control pills are an ovualtory suppresant. It's not quite as simple as "tricking the body into thinking it's already pregnant", but it's similar. If your body thought it was pregnant, you would not only "not" ovulate, you would also not have a period. Essentially, birth control pills elevate a hormone in your body, and keep it elevated, for anywhere between 14 and 21 days, at which point you take a "placebo" pill which is standard in most variants of BCP's. It is the removal of the hormone that causes the endometrium to slough off- giving you a period.

Pros: no need to worry about insertion of contraceptive devices or applications of condoms right before sex (although, you should use a condom anyway to prevent the spread of STD's). When correctly taken, they are the most effective form of birth control. They're relatively inexpensive. They're not permanent. Almost clock-work like periods with little cramping.

Cons: Some people experience nausea, vomitting, fatigue with some forms of the pill. Long term use can raise your risk of breast & Ovarian cancer (ALTHOUGH THIS IS PRETTY RARE), if you smoke... the pill can increase your risk of stroke or blood clots. Those are the biggie cons... you also have to remember that some antibiotics cancel out the pills effect and therefore you should always use a back up method.

[kari.livejournal.com]

Don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but since someone said it may increase risks for certain types of cancer, I've also been told that it can LOWER risks for certain types of cancer.

Forgive me for my butchering of medical terms, but this is just to my undertanding. As for what the pill actually does, it makes your body think that it's pregnant so that you won't GET pregnant. It regulates your hormones, which is why some people (like yours truly) take the pill for better skin. It makes your period VERY regular, from coming on the same day every 4 weeks, or even to the exact hour.

Yes, you have to remember to take them at a specific time. It's not really a pain if you're good at keeping a routine, if you can take your pills whenever you brush your teeth, either in the morning or at night, or put contacts in, ect. And there are the physical side effects that have been mentioned, which your doctor will probably discuss with you if you have him/her prescribe pills to you. So I hope that this is enough information for you without repeating what's been said.