Poll: The Pill

smw42 · May 2010

smw42 · May 2010

I just started it and I'm having problems so I wanted to get a feel for everyone's experiences

dmoney79 · May 2010

i was on loestrin 24fe for about 3 years (about a year into dating mh) and i had no problems with it...my periods were irregular before, so this helped regulate them, and shortended them....i didn't have any side effects that i was aware of...
they wanted to put me on bcp in 7th grade to regulate me, but, didn't...
the only reason i'm off now i b/c we're ttc...i'm sure i'll go back on it when the time comes

akmackay · May 2010

What one are you on? What kind of problems?

smw42 · May 2010

That's exactly what I've been on for two weeks now and the cramping is unbearable and the spotting is annoying.

Lola Minnie · May 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_poll-pill?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:18c94a5b-6462-4022-9c3a-fffede55952cPost:f407ab9b-11c9-47a8-8715-1195e5544dc0">Re: Poll: The Pill</a>:
[QUOTE]I just started it and I'm having problems so I wanted to get a feel for everyone's experiences
Posted by smw42[/QUOTE]

What brand are you using? You may want to discuss with your doctor about other brands with either higher or lower dosages depending on your problems.

For instance, in college, I was on loestrin briefly and it made me a maniac so I took myself off. I was on yasmin which was fine but I wasn't getting my period that much during the cycle, so then I switched to lower dosage (same maker) called yaz and it was a total nightmare. I barely got my period and would be taking pregnancy tests every other month. I went back on yasmin and totally fine now.

MelanieK2011 · May 2010

It's not uncommon for women to have some minor issues when they first start taking it (like spotting, nausea, etc.), but these problems usually go away within a couple of weeks if not sooner. So hang in there, it will get better soon!

That said, though, if you're having any severe symptoms (like chest pain, calf pain, excruciating headaches, etc.), you should call your doctor asap.

smw42 · May 2010

I'm on loestrin now and I've also tried orthotrycyclin lo and had similiar problems. I think I'm ready to accept defeat. I mainly went on it to reschedule my period cycle so I didn't have it on our honeymoon.

akmackay · May 2010

I'm on Yaz- and I know there is a lot of hype about it now- but it makes my periods a lot lighter and I'm a lot less moody (although FI would prob disagree). However, my friend was on it and had terrible stomach issues. Her OBGYN insists it wasn't from that, but after multiple trips to the ER and hospital stays she pulled herself off of it and it finally went away. I have stomach issues too and she says it's the Yaz, but I have always had them and I'd rather have that than a baby right right.

NJMom050911 · May 2010

I've been on mine for 13 years, never had any issues until last month when I started taking prenatal pills, I did not get my AF at all and was extremely depressed. I called the doctor and he said it has nothing to do with prenatals but if it happens again this month to make an appointment. I stopped taking the prenatals and this month got heavy flow....I'm scared to start my prenatals but I know I have too, I'm going to try again starting this weekend. I'm thinking that little episode was stress and not the prenatals so we'll see.

uppereastgirl · May 2010

I've been on it for 11+ years at this point, with limited problems. I had the initial problems Melanie talked about, but for the 9 years that followed everything was fine except for spotting from time to time. I was put on Seasonique about two year ago and while I love love love only getting my period every three months, I've had night sweats and weight gain while on it. I never had that problem before. I went to the OB/GYN a few weeks ago for my annual exam and asked to be put on a new pill to see if Seasonique was at fault for these symptoms and she put me on Lybrel. I bought my first pack and after I brought it home I realized that it has the same hormones as Seasonique! Ugh.

I'm probably going to ask to be put on Ortho Cyclen again.

Heather822 · May 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_poll-pill?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:18c94a5b-6462-4022-9c3a-fffede55952cPost:cecbcf66-8ec0-48ab-9f06-aa6bae281a95">Re: Poll: The Pill</a>:
[QUOTE] It's not uncommon for women to have some minor issues when they first start taking it (like spotting, nausea, etc.), but these problems usually go away within a couple of weeks if not sooner. So hang in there, it will get better soon! That said, though, if you're having any severe symptoms (like chest pain, calf pain, excruciating headaches, etc.), you should call your doctor asap.
Posted by MelanieK2011[/QUOTE]

I was going to say this too.

I just came off the pill in January. I was having problems, but I did take it for 12+ years with no problems (other than initial adjustment.)
More recently though I was getting HORRIBLE migraines right before my period that lasted straight through until 3 days after my period. My doc attributed it to the hormore flucutaions associated with the pill, and suggested I come off. I think I have had 1 headache since... and it wasn't even a migraine.
No ide why all of a sudden after 12 + years I couldn;t handle it anymore.

Everyone is different though, as you can see.

cew1113 · May 2010

I've been on very low dose Estrostep for years. I've had only minor issues but it is a very low dosage (we have a breast cancer history) so I don't know if it would be right for everyone. I would talk to your doctor.

smw42 · May 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_poll-pill?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:18c94a5b-6462-4022-9c3a-fffede55952cPost:f6ae5a01-4cc3-4f43-b1da-979fb5fa3e0d">Re: Poll: The Pill</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Poll: The Pill : I was going to say this too. I just came off the pill in January. I was having problems, but I did take it for 12+ years with no problems (other than initial adjustment.) More recently though I was getting HORRIBLE migraines right before my period that lasted straight through until 3 days after my period. My doc attributed it to the hormore flucutaions associated with the pill, and suggested I come off. I think I have had 1 headache since... and it wasn't even a migraine. No ide why all of a sudden after 12 + years I couldn;t handle it anymore. Everyone is different though, as you can see.
Posted by Heather822[/QUOTE]
The migraine thing is a fear of mine as well, as I'm on a prescription for migraines (since childhood) and the Dr said the pill could make them worse.

Only time will tell! Thanks for all the input girls. I'll stick it out and see how it goes.

leah2b · May 2010

I've been on for about 15+ years. A few years back I switched to yasmin and then to Yaz (only 4 days in between). I like this pill for many reason, no bloating, very little cramping, no tenderness, and I barely have a period anymore (yay! I like that) but I have been expereincing terrible headaches around the time I go off the pill. They are so bad that I went to a nuerologist and had a cat-scan. Not sure yet whether I am going to switch to a different type yet because I'm not fully convinced the headache is linked ot the type of pill. Oftentimes, people develop migraine conditions around the age of 30 or so. This can just be because naturally your body's hormone conditions are changing.

diamondx423 · May 2010

I was on Yasmin for 5 years but then got nervous with the class action so I had my doctor switch. She put me on Ortho Tricyclen Lo and that lasted about 4 months and I couldn't take it anymore; all of my cramps and anger came back. I also had no sex drive which really thrilled FI. I just switched to Loestrin24 and so far so good, but it's only been 2 weeks so I really can't judge yet.

allforyou · May 2010

I was on yaz for almost two years. i never had any problems or side effects with it. i did however get pregnant while taking it. needless to say i stopped taking the pill and now have the world's greatest son. since having him i haven't taken the pill again. it obviously did not prevent pregnancy for me, so why take extra hormones?

Laurms15 · May 2010

Heather: I've been getting headaches lately too on a pill that I've been on for about 9 years. UGH I dread the thought of switching because I always did ok on it. Its Triphasil (or the generic of that Trivora)

Heather822 · May 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_poll-pill?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:18c94a5b-6462-4022-9c3a-fffede55952cPost:ae692124-6b74-4538-988c-da3adeda83cf">Re: Poll: The Pill</a>:
[QUOTE]Heather: I've been getting headaches lately too on a pill that I've been on for about 9 years. UGH I dread the thought of switching because I always did ok on it. Its Triphasil (or the generic of that Trivora)
Posted by Laurms15[/QUOTE]

I am sorry ~ definitely feel you on that one!!!!!
Another thing my doc suggested was taking pills pack to pack... skipping the week of blanks. That way you don't have the sudden stopping & starting of hormone releases. (You also won't get a period by doing this.)
I had tried that a few times, and it did decrease my headaches... but I couldn't shake the feeling was messing with my body's own natural processes, and didn't want to do any reproductive damage.

Laurms15 · May 2010

I can't take mine back to back because they are the three phase ones so I'd still have some sort of drop off in the hormones. Well I have three re-fils after the one I started yesterday so I guess I can ask her about it when I go back for my next yearly.

DandT1206 · May 2010

give it some more time... the first time i ever took the pill (back then it was orthotricyclen low) my main side effects were slight nausea and extremely sore breats (sorry if that's TMI lol). SO i think everyone side effects will be different. After Ortho, I switched to Yaz to get a lighter flow. I loved it until my doctor told me there were more risks with that now. Now i'm on Loestrin 24 FE. I was a little nauseous in the first couple of months, but the flow is even lighter than with Yaz.

I'd give it 2 months to let your body adjust. Also, try taking the pill at night, right before bed.

peaches85 · May 2010

I was on Sprintec (a generic of something) for 5 years and then all of a sudden started getting really bad cramps and nausea. I just recently switched to Loestrin and the nausea/cramping are gone, but I've skipped 2 of my past 3 periods since going on it which makes me a bit nervous. I guess I should probably talk to my OB/GYN about it.

smw42 · May 2010

Thanks Danielle! I got two months worth of samples from the Dr. so I'm going to at least use that out and give it the benefit of the doubt. I'm being impatient, lol.

Julephenia · May 2010

Do you have to take The Pill?

I'm on The Patch, and I LOVE it. Once a week, I slap a patch on my booty, and on the fourth week, I don't have any. My cycle became much more regular, my cramps diminished, my skin cleared up... and it's worked wonderfully.

My ONLY problem with it is that I struggle with being underweight, and therefore, if I'm not careful, can get an overdose of hormone. (The underweight thing is a personal, not Patch, issue - I'm a hypoglycemic with a very high metabolism.) This basically causes my body to have morning sickness, but it only happens when I'm too thin/stressed. It shouldn't happen if you are at a good, healthy weight.

smw42 · May 2010

Julephenia- interesting suggestion! My Dr never brings up other alternatives, but I could ask if this doesn't work out!

Julephenia · May 2010

Your doctor never brings up ANY alternatives? ACK! I use Planned Parenthood (no insurance, no money to pay for private insurance), and they have HUGE charts of all the different types of b.c.

There's the Pill and the Patch, of course, then there's things like rings, shots, IUDs and so on. There are so many choices! Each does something different, and will affect you differently, but they're all there to prevent pregnancy. Check out PP's website - there should be a whole section on the different types of b.c., so you can ask your doctor about them.

maybride527 · May 2010

two of my friends are on the patch and love it. another friend is on seasonique and likes that as well. it's all a matter of preference and of course what works best with your body.

i tried different brands of the pill and gave the ring a shot but nothing worked. my body is too sensitive to it. to be honest, i felt so much better when i stopped taking hormones - i lost 15 pounds, my moods improved, and i have a little more money in my pocket. ;-)

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