Let's hear it for Birth Control Pills!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I LOVED birth control pills. For me, they worked great and were easy. And thank you, Planned Parenthood, for helping me get them when I was young.

They were wonderful for me. Besides enabling me to get pregnant only when I wanted to, they calmed my PMS, I lost weight and maintained on them, they controlled perimenopause symptoms, and I wish I could have stayed on them forever.

[Anonymous]

Birth control pills (BCPs) contain man-made forms of 2 hormones called estrogen and progestin. BCPs are also called oral contraceptives or just "the pill." BCPs only work well if the woman remembers to take her pill daily without missing a day. Which specific pill is best for you depends on your body’s needs, plus the recommendation of your healthcare provider. There are many factors to consider when choosing a birth control pill, including your health history, how you respond to treatment, and your lifestyle and preferences.

[Anonymous]

I had a hysterectomy at 48 (kept ovaries). LOVE it. No more periods, not in menopause.

[Anonymous]

There are many things that we do today that negatively impact the environment. I'm sure you can find one to champion that doesn't involve unwanted pregnancy, if you really look hard.

We need fewer people on this planet and BC is the best way to do that. And, as a side benefit, to prevent abortions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

All this hate for birth control pills is absurd. This is such a good, important medicine. Literally changed women's lives.
I started in my early 20s and got two weeks a month of my life back. No depression, or weight gain, or other side effects.

+1000

Though, unfortunately I can't take them any more for health reasons . I've had to go back to monthly torture and my period is definitely getting vengeance.

[Anonymous]

I also don't understand why some people are against birth control. I used to take mini-pills that work great for me. And it was convenient as I wasn't ready to be a mom. The same thing is with the after morning pill. What is the difference between using contraception during sex or after it?

[Anonymous]

For me, the plus side was -- shorter, lighter, practically non-existent periods.

The negative side was - moodiness, no libido, and on one horrible variant, suicidal thoughts and non-stop crying.

Never again. Made DH get snipped.

I'm not opposed to them for other people, though.

[Anonymous]

Oh god I got pregnant 4x on the first cycle. I know I would be one of those poor women with 12 + kids without birth control. I'd be totally f^cked. Literally.

[Anonymous]

None have ever worked for me. I either gain weight or have horrible mood instability. IUD was awesome but painful.

[Anonymous]

I have nothing against other women using BCP. I am in favor of women having choices to autonomy in their bodies and lives.

However I am glad to be off of them. They served me well for many years, about 18-25 though.

[Anonymous]

I have always felt awful on them. Make me very depressed. But they have their place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh god I got pregnant 4x on the first cycle. I know I would be one of those poor women with 12 + kids without birth control. I'd be totally f^cked. Literally.

Same.

I get it - I'm more holistic and have worked hard to cut chemicals out of our lives - what we eat, what we clean with, etc. But it's a benefit vs. harms for me. Unwanted pregnancies are no joke, and I don't think just not having sex would be great for our marriage.

I did the BPC for about 12 years in late teens/20s, then was off for several years while having babies, BFing (we used condoms in between) and that worked well. Got a mirena IUD in late 30s and now am on my 2nd one. I'd like to be able to have no artificial hormones, but the risk of having another pregnancy is not worth it to me. The IUD is great because it is local hormones and less than the pill. I also love not having to deal with periods anymore (very light periods 4x a year or so).

[Anonymous]

I had two clots on them (high dose estrogen ones though). They are not without risks. But they are a wonderful technology that needs to be used responsibly.

Why we don't medicate men for birth control is a relevant question...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't it be safer and better to have a cheaper ovulation tests that a women
could use safely to know when the sex would not result in a pregnancy?
How about really cheap tests? Make them cost like a penny a day?...

I'm sure someone has said this, but i haven't read the whole thread....

1) You really have to avoid the first two weeks of your cycle, not just ovulation day. Semen can remain viable for several days.
2) Ovulation is when women want to have sex!! This would never work for me. I would be too tempted when I was actually fertile, and then when I'm not fertile, I have no interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think the whole libido thing is a lie. Didn't affect me at all.

okay, maybe it didn't affect you, but birth controls pills (and the implant) 100% killed my desire.