[lilajones]

Hi. I am 18 years old, and I am SO paranoid about getting preggers. Everytime me and my boyfriend "do it", (which is always w/ a condom) I get so worried! I watch all the horror stories on TLC such as 'I didn't know I was pregnant' and i'm terrified I'll be one of those women! I would like to be on birth control, but I've heard that alot of them make you gain weight? I'm 5'1 and I weigh roughly 125 pounds, so I'm somewhat "chunky." I really can't afford to gain weight. I'm also nervous about going on BC because not having a regular period would also add to my paranoia of being pregnant. Anyone know what I can do?

[ManINeedACoffee]

Hormonal birth control CAN make you gain weight...for some people it doesn't - the side effects are different for everyone. Also, there are certain types of BC you can use in which you can still have your period each month (which is good if you've always been somewhat irregular). There are some sites you can go to that give a lot of useful information about different birth control methods - some even compare and contrast different ones. I'd recommend looking at those and also talking to your doctor about what would suit you and your lifestyle the best.

I get where you're coming from - I'm paranoid about pregnancy myself and my boyfriend and I are always cautious to a fault. But I think it's better that you guys are overly careful than overly NOT careful.

[Little.Chuck]

Maybe you should look into the copper IUD?

[Guest]

Go on birth control if you absolutely cannot handle being pregnant right now. Condoms work but not always.

[jessie1234]

i wouldnt say 125 is chunky!!!
i would suggest birth control of some sorts and if you find you are gaininng some weight start some exercise and eat a bit healthier... should solve the problem

[chrysdior]

Apparently, the birth control pill I am starting tomorrow, Ortho-Tri-Cyclin LO, is supposed to be a low hormonal pill that shouldnt make you gain weight. So talk to your doctor about that and any other concerns you might have with the pill, there are other options. Also, I dont think that you should worry so much about getting pregnant if you are using a condom, after all if the condom breaks or tears you WILL know about it when it happens. Is the reason you are so worried about it because your parents do not know about you having sex? I was like that at 18 to, I was always SOOOO nervous about it, until I saw the pink in the toilet. Maybe thats also why you are having irregular periods to because you stress about it. Stop stressing lol. Any birth control pill, that you get your period every month, will regulate your periods. You can opt for getting your period four times a year, but it sounds to me, that you NEED to get your period every month so you dont freak you and worry. Its okay, I am like that to, I NEED it every month or I will worry even if I havent had sex that month I would still worry that is just me. Hoped I helped. Good luck.